It seems like this sort of a thread is becoming an annual thing for me. So, here we go for 2013...
This week, 696 is here at the Inland Empire regional
having a wonderful time at this new event, but there's one thing that really
grinds my gears. First, let me say that I have the utmost respect for our safety inspectors. These are all qualified folks who are trying to look out for our best interests, but at this event, I take serious issue with one of the
mandated practices they have imposed on all competing teams.
The safety inspectors are
requiring all teams to loudly yell "ROBOT!" any time they are moving their robot within the pit area and to or from the field. There are several issues with the practice of yelling "ROBOT!":
- It's not necessary
- It's arrogant
- It's obnoxious
- It's rude
- It creates excessive noise
- It startles bystanders
- It turns off the general public
- It starts a chain reaction of other teams yelling for no apparent reason
- With repetition, it becomes white noise and loses all meaning
- It does little to make anyone safer in any way, and may even create a hazard
- It gives teams a false sense of entitlement that others will drop everything to move out of their way.
- It's safety theater
Aside from my issues with teams yelling "ROBOT!", it's not right for any FIRST volunteer event or official to
require my students to verbally say something they are strongly opposed to saying. At least three times already today, my team was called out for not yelling "ROBOT!" when they are moving the robot. (Mind you, we received the #1 Pit Safety recognition at Long Beach in 2012 and 2013, without yelling of any sort).
Some of you may ask, "Well how can you move a robot safely without yelling 'ROBOT!' ?" It's simple. We're never in a rush, we look where we're going, and if for some reason we do encounter some impediment to our travel (which happens only rarely), we politely and in a reasonable volume say "excuse me" followed by a "thanks."
So, who is ready to end this absurd practice of yelling "ROBOT!" ?