[Gdeaver]

The one most critical trait that I look for in a driver is situational awareness. Most drivers have a terrible case of myopia when it comes to driving in a FIRST competition. Let me try to explain. Most first games are highly dynamic and with 6 bots on the floor it tends to be very chaotic. The large majority of drivers I have worked with tend to lock on to their robot, the field piece and the chosen action they perceive to be the next choice for action. They do not perceive the rest of the field and the dynamic actions that are taking place. They are locked onto the current action and can not see or disconnect to take advantage of another opportunity that has suddenly presented it's self on the field outside of their narrowed field of vision. Then every once in awhile there is that one individual who has this perceptual brain functionality. Many times they are written off by the team because other drive candidates have better control finesse. Practice can make any individual a good driver from a control perspective. Situational awareness - I believe you are born that way. The real problem is that the dynamics that happen at a real competition can not be duplicated while practicing at home. We have tried having a second bot on the floor to play PITA to the primary bot. It doesn't come close to the real thing. Off season comps are are great time to search for this elusive person.