We're looking for a scouting system

[BitTwiddler]

Team 1726 has been using paper scouting forms and sneakernet to compile the scouting data for way too long. Time to automate.

I know this topic has come up before but it would be informative to know what's out there currently. The threads I've read on this topic are nearly a year old.

I envision the scouts using their Android devices (iPhone also would be desirable) to fill in a configurable scouting form then uploading the form data to the server laptop to aggregate the data.

I like the idea that someone proposed to use a QR code to scan the data into the server but bluetooth seems to be the media of choice for most of the apps I've seen discussed here. Either way would probably meet our needs.

What scouting collection and reporting apps are currently available that we can use? Any turnkey applications out there that can be easily configured for use by a team with limited knowledge of the different programming languages?

Your input will be most appreciated.

[MooreteP]

If you are creative with Google Forms, you can aggregate scouting data in interesting ways.

Scouting has always been a slog in the past, especially for the students inputting the data. A true buzzkill.

A well made Survey allows them to enjoy the matches and gather pertinent data.
Therein lies the rub. That is where you need to be creative.

Personally, I could regale you with tales about creating team data sheets with Robot pictures garnered on Thursday, inserted into Word docs and printed out on heavy stock paper on an hp 5220 in the wee hours to be placed in accordion folders to be disseminated and dropped through bleachers and recollected and pizza stained on Friday night only to be recycled after we were picked 18th, etc, blah blah blah.
Then there are the years where teams set up a local network all for naught. Extension cords searching for electrons or running off old Robot batteries through inverters. The list goes on and on, yadda, yadda, yadda.

If you are creative, Google forms allows Real Time updates that the drive team can use before each match. You can create visual outputs that are useful in making a pick list.

Less paper, happier scouts.
Disruptive technology in a good way.

Another Bonus: Scouts can speak specific comments or notes about a teams performance in a match and it will be logged in the survey.

[BitTwiddler]

Hmm, interesting concept. Need to research this further.

[Chris Endres]

Not exactly what you're looking for, but we used this last year, and it was infinitely better than paper and excel scouting.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=129763

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=WildRank

[Monochron]

Plan to not have access to internet. Showing up to a competition and realizing the internet isn't available and your scouting system rely's on it. Also probably plan to not have power outlets available in the stands, so some sort of runner system to keep things charged.
There are quite a few white papers around here on successful locally networked systems that you can find.

[Jalerre]

A scouting system that I have looked into but never used is Tableau. I have heard good things about it. From what I seen, its very powerful and customizable.

[Danimal!]

One of our students developed a phone-based Dozer scouting app that we used at the Orlando Regional as well as World Championships. It gave us a lot of valuable information and helped us to make some great picks. We were the 8th seated alliance in the Newton division, but because of the picks we made, we ended up placing 5th, just missing the semi-finals. Here's the link to the site as well as the repository.

https://riptiderobotics.com:3000/#/

[BitTwiddler]

Thanks to everyone who has provided input. It's good stuff. Please keep 'em coming. I promise to look them over. I am reading some of your white papers too.

I think I'm going to have to present some of your scouting solutions to the team leadership to see what they like best for this year.

[chandrew]

Scouting wise we have used Google Forms/paper copies of our forms over the past couple of years, however there have been a lot of issues with availability of WIFI to submit the forms. Beyond that though, analysis for scouting is what we encountered the most issues finding something to do. Last year we build spreadsheets as described in http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=136944 however those spreadsheets are a not exactly easy or fun to build.
The one thing I would keep in mind is that any scouting app you pick has to be something that connects to the goals of your team. That's why our team has chosen to use either google forms or printed versions of the google forms that allow for easy data entry is that scouting usually needs to be specific to what your team goals are and what your robot is built to do depending on the game.

[BitTwiddler]

Originally Posted by chandrew

The one thing I would keep in mind is that any scouting app you pick has to be something that connects to the goals of your team. That's why our team has chosen to use either google forms or printed versions of the google forms that allow for easy data entry is that scouting usually needs to be specific to what your team goals are and what your robot is built to do depending on the game.

I'm beginning to see that now. Different teams look at different things in accordance with their team selection philosophy. Some look at scoring effectiveness and others look at more qualitative attributes to find the best match for their alliances. Team 1678 has a nice set of slides that discusses this important topic.
It's been quite an education so far.

[trumpthero786]

Here is what my team, Storm 2729 uses, as explained by our Lead Mentor! I hope this helps! It works really well for us and is very organized. It does require Android devices, which might be a turn off. But good luck on your scouting ventures!

Originally Posted by nlknauss

Up until last year, our team had completed all of our scouting on paper which as you know has its pros and cons. We wanted to develop a scouting app that would simple data acquisition and migration without the need to use networks, bluetooth, and pen drives. Brainstorming happened and we think we've made a simple, user friendly application for all your scouting needs using QR code data transfer! The app works without internet connection, USB drives, and bluetooth - all you need is an Android device with a camera.

This year’s apps (yes there’s two) allows you to save and analyze vital information about other teams such as points scored, tote stacks, container stacks, and noodles. Equipped with a lightning fast QR code scanner and a QR analyzer, this app will simplify scouting.

Here’s how the two app process works:

• The User App generates a QR code which contains match data about other teams
• The Master App scans the QR code
• The Master App sorts teams based on points, coopertitions, tote levels, and all other fields
• The analyzed information from the QR code is converted into a CSV file
• The CSV file can be opened in the app itself or in another spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel

You can access it and check more screen shots out on our website and on the Google Play Store in the next few days. We’ll post a reply when it’s available.

There’s a lot of great scouting apps out there and we hope you’ll give it a try. Feel free to reply to this thread with questions, comments, and thoughts. Our students and team can’t wait to hear your feedback and hope that you enjoy their work!


Enjoy!

[BitTwiddler]

Originally Posted by trumpthero786

Here is what my team, Storm 2729 uses, as explained by our Lead Mentor! I hope this helps! It works really well for us and is very organized. It does require Android devices, which might be a turn off. But good luck on your scouting ventures!

Very cool! It actually meets our main requirements and seems simple to use.
I notice that the scouting data points are hard-coded into the user app. Am I correct in thinking that your programmers will configure it for the 2016 game shortly after kick-off? Is the source code open or closed?
What data analysis tool(s) do you guys use for your team pick lists?
The use of QR codes for data transfer is brilliant . No pesky cables to trip over, no on again/off again Bluetooth reliability issues. Just need to ensure that the devices are kept charged up for use.
Any plans for importing match schedules into the user app prior to the qualification matches in order to help the scouts select the teams to watch?

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by BitTwiddler

I'm beginning to see that now. Different teams look at different things in accordance with their team selection philosophy. Some look at scoring effectiveness and others look at more qualitative attributes to find the best match for their alliances. Team 1678 has a nice set of slides that discusses this important topic.
It's been quite an education so far.

Thanks for the compliment. If you can't find a link to our slides from last year, message me and I'll send them. I'll also get our website team to post links to the slides on our website www.citruscircuits.org (as well as for other workshops). We also hope to post the videos (finally), which includes a portion on the most important step in your draft process--having a heated argument between two members of the strategy team!

We will be giving an updated session on this plus strategy at our Capital City Classic workshops Oct 23-25 during breaks and after competition. (We may have a webcast set up as well.) For teams in Northern California, even if you're not competing, we urge you to come (plus we'll have a couple of food trucks.)

Note that we also have several whitepapers up on our tablet-based scouting system on Chief Delphi. We strongly believe that a team should build the scouting system because it's a great programming opportunity and not too overwhelming. It's a good place to use your extra programmers and recruit students who are already programming Android and iOS.

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by Monochron

Plan to not have access to internet. Showing up to a competition and realizing the internet isn't available and your scouting system rely's on it. Also probably plan to not have power outlets available in the stands, so some sort of runner system to keep things charged.
There are quite a few white papers around here on successful locally networked systems that you can find.

We've been able to use Bluetooth and a couple of cell phone connections (for reliablity.)

[Kevin Leonard]

Personally I think too many teams over-reach on scouting and expect that a slightly more efficient method of scouting might provide exponentially increased returns, when in reality any well-run scouting system that gets you accurate, useful data is perfect in my book.

I know that a number of incredible teams use well-run, efficient electronic scouting systems. 1678 comes to mind as the best, but a bunch of these systems are very, very good.

However a well-run paper and excel scouting system gets the job done nearly as well, and is harder to mess up (in my opinion).

I would encourage most teams looking to advance their scouting potential first to look at a) the data you're collecting, and b) how you're aggregating it

Are you collecting useful data? Is the data you're collecting accurate?
Useful data is generally quantitative. # of goals scored, # of goals missed, etc.
Non-useful data is often qualitative. How well do they shoot? How good are they at defense? Some of this data can be obtained other ways- by smart people who have watched a lot of matches who are knowledgeable, or by working closely with their drive team during matches, but match scouting sheets don't need these metrics.

How are you aggregating the data? Can you use the data you've collected to produce picklists or to produce match strategy? Excel can be a really useful tool for this, but so can some sort of paper-and-pen system if someone wants to put in a lot of time making the data more accessible.

Once you've optimized those two factors (what you're collecting and how you use it), then you can move on to how efficiently and easily you're collecting data.

Getting a high tech scouting system, but collecting poor data or being unable to use the data is like having the best shooter in the world, but no ability to acquire game pieces consistently. It doesn't matter if your accuracy is 100% if you're never able to shoot.

EDIT: To actually answer your question instead of ranting about scouting, Team 180's Poor Man's Scouting System is absolutely phenomenal.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/3098