Aerial Assist Drive Team Manual Test

[BigRickT]

Nice test. Really got the kids thinking about the rules of the game plan. Thank You Pete!

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by EricH

In my opinion, no. There may be exceptions on a case by case basis.

If you're just on the team to drive a robot, the team has probably got a few demos you can show up at. Drive there.

Maybe you should clarify "involved in the build". If you wrote the entire Chairman's award essay but never picked up a wrench, I would say you're not just on the team to drive the robot. The skills required to drive or operate or carry a ball to the field or coach are not unique to the team building the robot.

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

Maybe you should clarify "involved in the build". If you wrote the entire Chairman's award essay but never picked up a wrench, I would say you're not just on the team to drive the robot. The skills required to drive or operate or carry a ball to the field or coach are not unique to the team building the robot.

There's a lot to be said for a driver who knows the mechanics of the bot. When it misbehaves on the field he is more likely to guess/determine the reason for the behavior and respond accordingly. An ignorant driver may repeatedly try the failing mechanism and break it further, a knowledgeable driver may know how to minimize further damage and/or be able to tell the pit crew what he thinks is wrong. Also, fixing/checking minor things in the queue line is also an option to a driver that knows the bot inside and out.

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

Maybe you should clarify "involved in the build". If you wrote the entire Chairman's award essay but never picked up a wrench, I would say you're not just on the team to drive the robot. The skills required to drive or operate or carry a ball to the field or coach are not unique to the team building the robot.

True, but......If a driver knows the Robot well, they can better describe any faults or difficulties exhibited during a match.

A Chairman's award expert might make a better Pit Boss to interface with the judges when they stop by at random times in your pit. The judges don't actually get to watch many matches. They are very interested in a personal experience with the team where a student describes the extra work that they have done in their community promoting STEM and FIRST.

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

There's a lot to be said for a driver who knows the mechanics of the bot. When it misbehaves on the field he is more likely to guess/determine the reason for the behavior and respond accordingly. An ignorant driver may repeatedly try the failing mechanism and break it further, a knowledgeable driver may know how to minimize further damage and/or be able to tell the pit crew what he thinks is wrong. Also, fixing/checking minor things in the queue line is also an option to a driver that knows the bot inside and out.

So by that measure, sounds like your software team wouldn't be qualified to be on the drive team either.

I'm just advocating diversity - if everyone on your team is a gearhead (count me as a gearhead) then you may miss out on some real opportunities in your gameplay. A lot goes on during a match that requires observation and communication skills that your less mechanically inclined members may be better at. And maybe Grand Theft Auto Boy who drew the artwork for your t-shirt can out drive anyone else if you put him on the controls. I would just open up the pool of available drive team members (there are 4 including the coach - don't open that can of worms here) to everyone who actively participates, not just everyone who "builds".

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

Maybe you should clarify "involved in the build". If you wrote the entire Chairman's award essay but never picked up a wrench, I would say you're not just on the team to drive the robot. The skills required to drive or operate or carry a ball to the field or coach are not unique to the team building the robot.

While this is true, I took the original question as more "involved" than "involved specifically with the build". There are a lot of background tasks to be done.

I'll put it this way: If I haven't seen you at the build site (or other appropriate meeting venue for your subteam), you probably won't make drive team consideration at all. If you've been an infrequent visitor, I'm willing to listen to a good explanation but your odds aren't very good. If you've been there most days the site is open, AND you've been productive (loosely defined as actively participating and not causing chaos), your odds are pretty good of being considered. At least, to me.

Actually getting to drive, on the other hand, is a bit more interesting, something about knowing the rules and being able to drive. (I don't want a driver that gets a lot of penalties, or one that is clueless about driving the robot.)

[Bill_B]

I think this test could be a point of honor among those that take it. If we had a SAT for Aerial Assist, the team members who get good scores have a bragging point among their peers.

As far a selecting the driving team, it comes down to whose team is it? If it is *my* team I get to pick things. If it is their team they should appreciate the value of understanding the game as the drivers' fingers dance over that control device. My admonition to the team was that the other teams will take variations in the composition of the driving team as evidence of weakness and will affect the team's selection chances and scouting reports. The choice needs to be a true consensus, unless it is *my* team, of course.

[prismiko]

Pete -

Thank you for posting this. I gave it to the team - even gave them a tip to study the rules ahead of time - but it was still a shocker -all the Yellow/Red cards and fouls. In the end though, they do know the rules better now and happy to report that the people who ended up as our drive team did score the highest because they took it seriously.

Good luck on the rest of your season!

-Priscilla

[Monochron]

Awesome test. I have to say, I didn't know of of the answers off the top of my head, and some I could brush up on the details.

If you are interested I have also made up a Drive Team Test (and posted it here on the forums), though mine focuses a bit more on the knowledge that the Drive Team specifically needs to know I suppose like your second test does. Basically I left out details of legalities of the robot, build specifics, and field dimensions and focused only on things they may encounter during an actual match.

You can view the test here and download it if you like.

Also feel free to PM for the answer key, I would rather not post it publicly but am happy to give it out on request.