FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

FRC 868 is proud to present our new app, FRC GamePlan for FIRST Stronghold!

GamePlan is a novel Android application that allows teams to effectively strategize upcoming matches by configuring a complete field, outlining potential alliance strategies, and sending them between students/mentors/additional teams.

Developed utilizing Android Material Design, the app provides a blank field for drive teams and strategists to customize according to the needs of upcoming matches. Drivers and coaches can quickly manipulate the DEFENSES, add ROBOTS (with optional designs tailored to offensive or defensive roles), show BOULDERS, and draw out potential ROBOT movements across the field.

Any plans drawn can be saved (permanently, if chosen) and even restored for matches at later times or later competitions. This feature allows teams to pre-strategize matches for expedited efficiency during match planning.

In addition, the app contains new SENDING features! Utilizing Bluetooth technology, teams can send match strategies from the stands to the field or pits (maximum 700 ft. - device dependent). Furthermore, these plans can be shared with other teams utilizing GamePlan, giving them the capacity to manipulate and save these designs as well.

All FIRST teams are welcome to download this application free of charge utilizing the Google Play market with the link below. Any feedback is appreciated. In addition, the iOS version is coming soon, so stay tuned!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ds.frcgameplan



Feel free to contact us at techhounds868@gmail.com with any questions regarding the app. Thanks to Atif Niyaz for his hard work!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Really good job guys!!! downloaded it, and i'm super happy. Wish you good luck!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Oooo nice idea creating this app! Totally gonna play around with this app.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

I definitely think that this is a great idea! However, as the owner of an iPhone, this app is inaccessible to me :( I'm looking forward to the iOS version!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Just downloaded it and I love, love, love it. I think this is fantastic and will definitely be using it this year.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Only during the match. Before the match bluetooth is absolutely fine. Occasionally some events will have issues but bluetooth but it isn't a rule violation.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

FRC Gameplan developer here. That was what I meant when I originally designed the app.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

That's a nice start; this could be quite useful. I've a couple of complaints:
1. Double-tapping to get a menu isn't reliable. I'm not sure what the criteria are, but maybe the app is expecting too fast or too close together.
2. Tapping on the defenses doesn't always bring up the defenses menu.

And some suggestions:
* Add an eraser, please.
* It would be helpful to enforce the "only one from each category" restriction for defense selection.
* Line width selection might be nice. Certainly not essential.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Appreciate the feedback! There should be an update rolling around very soon with a fix for the double tap and defenses.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

I understand, but ...

Think about it. How much time do you want users to spend assuring everyone involved that no inappropriate communication occurred?

If you are the drive team or the HP, I recommend conspicuously putting all communication devices away, before leaving the queue, and if you are in the stands, not telling folks you sent anything to the "field". It's a small but important improvement in the way you describe things.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Its also illegal to have a phone out during a match. Our coach last year took out his phone during a match when our robot was dead due to a connection issue. We almost got carded. Lets just say we have a bin on our cart now where we place our phones.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Personally, I would recommend using a tablet for FRC GamePlan since it allows for a much bigger interface so that you could easily see the strategy.

We only used it when we were queued. Once it was our match, we kept the tablet back on our robot cart. Other teams by that time had a good idea of what they were doing.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

T4 only disallows 802.11 networks... Not to mention that the FMS uses 5ghz wifi and bluetooth is 2.4.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Great work guys! The only thing I would suggest is just have some sort of regular menu button to make i more user friendly, but overall, awesome work!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Great app!:)

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Version 1.0.3.3 does include this MENU button along with the Double Tap. This update is currently rolling out!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Nice job on the app. Looking forward to our team using it.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Considering teams only get one match beforehand of time to finalize a strategy based on chosen defenses, I think using Bluetooth and this app to strategize would be fine so long as you are following the rules. I would have the rules related to this memorized or a copy of the rules in case you are questioned by volunteers.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Thanks for making this! :) Our team got the app and it's pretty cool. My team is probably going to use it this season, to replace the whiteboard we were using for a similar purpose last season.
I have only complaint: You can undo your last few changes or you can clear the field, but otherwise, there isn't really a way to selectively erase. This would be a very useful thing to have. I also agree with Jaxom's idea that this should have an "only one for each category" restriction with regard to the defenses. Otherwise, the app is great, and I love it's simplicity. Very easy to use, and to learn to use.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Folks,

Just in case there is any confusion ...

In earlier posts, when I wrote that you should not [plan to] send anything from the stands to the field - I had in mind the restrictions imposed by G29 and T26-1.

Those two forbid creating even the possibility of communication to the field from anywhere else. They don't care what physical layer protocol (Bluetooth, WiFi, whatever) might be involved. Their point is that no devices capable of communicating are allowed. And ... If no communication devices are allowed at the field, planning to communicate from the stands to the field would require violating a rule.

I'm being a little imprecise when I use the term "field" to paraphrase the terms actually in the rules, but in practical terms, when you are leaving the pre-match queue, it's time put all communication devices away. At that time, if you haven't drawn, printed, or memorized your shared plan, I don't think that you will be allowed to use a loose phone or tablet to display it.

If I'm wrong, and there is a way to display a plan on any typical general-purpose computing device, please let me/us know. I presume that using a tablet, laptop, phone, etc. would require convincing the referees both that all the communication capabilities on the device had been successfully disabled before the device reached the field, and that those capabilities would unambiguously remain disabled while the device was at the field.

Am i overlooking some other pertinent rule?

Blake.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Cool and very useful app!
I'm using LG G4 and the app doesn't run smooth, there are two bugs:
1. I can drag robots/boulders only on Y axis.
2. If I want to change a specific defense, I need to touch one defense left from it.

Do you know to explain it? Someone else had this problem?

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Thanks! GamePlan developer here, I was able to test the app on an LG G4 and I unfortunately did not see the above problems happen. Maybe try updating the app to Version 1.0.5?

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

The last version I see on Google Play Store is 1.033..

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

It works great on my G4

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Just downloaded the app! Looks great and can't wait to play around with it a little more. Would appreciate an eraser tool. Also, I cannot figure out how to move the robots around. Other than that. Awesome job.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Much appreciated! Thanks! You have to hold the robot in the menu for like a second and then it will automatically pop a robot up on the field that you can drag with your finger. You delete them by dragging it into the castle.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Thanks for developing this Atif and Techhounds!

PLEASE MAKE AN IPHONE VERSION

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

We are currently working on an iOS version of the app. Stay tuned!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Great App! Looking forward to using it throughout the year!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Hey Teams,

As we approach Week 1, we want to encourage everyone to utilize FRC GamePlan for match strategy! Feel free to reply with any comments, questions, or recommendations.

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Thanks for posting I forgot to message you with some suggestions after using your app at the Week Zero event.

It would be nice if the defense positions were numbered (1-5) in accordance with the field with the Low bar being #1 and working its way across. Being able to see what defense is in which position before and more importantly after you place defenses onto the field on the app would be a big help when communicating with the event's defense coordinator.

Shading the defenses slightly to match the alliance color would be helpful including shading the audience selected defense (in position #3) something else like yellow or green.

Another thought was the possibility of being able to flip the entire field to match which alliance you are on to help keep the same perspective of looking down field.

Those were just some of my thoughts after using it a few weekends ago at an event.

This is a great app! Thank you so much for investing your talent and time into this program and soliciting feedback from the community!

Re: FRC GamePlan Strategy App
 

Hello everyone!

We'd like to thank the entire FIRST community for their support as the app reached over 800 downloads since build season! Again, let us know if you have any suggestions or questions about it - we'd be happy to answer them.

Our own strategy/scouting team will be trying it out for the first time this week at the Tippecanoe District Event (IN), so if your attending, feel free to give us your feedback in person!