I agree that yelling of "ROBOT! ROBOT!" when no one is around and the path is clear is pretty silly and unnecessary. However, this weekend I was at a regional where many teams weren't saying ANYTHING when they pulled the robots through the crowded and narrow aisles.
I think we have to be careful when telling people that they don't have to say "robot" when moving through the pits. Many teams were pulling out of their pits and almost running over their own members and visitors. Worse when moving along the aisles they were narrowly clipping bystanders and I was almost hit several times by teams who were pushing large carts without saying a word.
Even more were moving these large carts without anyone walking in front to help (politely) clear a path. It was pretty much mayhem.
Also, the comparison to grocery carts isn't fair. Grocery carts aren't that heavy and most grocery stores aren't that crowded and loud for so long. So please say, "Robot coming through, excuse us!" or something equally polite. But please say SOMETHING and say it SOMEWHAT loud.
