Wearables in FRC

[ASD20]

This year I used a smartwatch at competition for the first time. I found a few really good uses. (BTW I was coaching when I used most of this)

1. I turned on match score notifications on the Spyder app and used the notifications on my watch as a way to keep track of where we were in the match schedule. This provided a more accurate measure than time for keeping track of when we needed to cue. I found this extremely useful, especially in places like District Champs and Worlds where you had no idea what was happening from the pits or practice fields.

2. I also had Slack notifications turned on which made it easier to see messages immediately. I also experimented a little with using it to easily view scouting info for pre-match driver meetings. Our strategy guy would message the info and it would be right there for me. I found this nicer than having to open my phone and then open the app, but it was really just a convenience thing.

I have not really used my watch for on-field applications, partially because I have been really cautious with the rules. I tried to not look at my watch at all on the field because I did not want to break the rules.

Pro Tip: This is not really a wearable thing, but one amazingly useful trick I figured out this year is to set a screenshot of your match schedule as your phone lock screen. It only saves you a few seconds each time, but times 100 times over 3 days it really makes a difference.

[JR0405]

Originally Posted by ASD20

This year I used a smartwatch at competition for the first time. I found a few really good uses. (BTW I was coaching when I used most of this)

1. I turned on match score notifications on the Spyder app and used the notifications on my watch as a way to keep track of where we were in the match schedule. This provided a more accurate measure than time for keeping track of when we needed to cue. I found this extremely useful, especially in places like District Champs and Worlds where you had no idea what was happening from the pits or practice fields.

2. I also had Slack notifications turned on which made it easier to see messages immediately. I also experimented a little with using it to easily view scouting info for pre-match driver meetings. Our strategy guy would message the info and it would be right there for me. I found this nicer than having to open my phone and then open the app, but it was really just a convenience thing.

I have not really used my watch for on-field applications, partially because I have been really cautious with the rules. I tried to not look at my watch at all on the field because I did not want to break the rules.

Pro Tip: This is not really a wearable thing, but one amazingly useful trick I figured out this year is to set a screenshot of your match schedule as your phone lock screen. It only saves you a few seconds each time, but times 100 times over 3 days it really makes a difference.

What watch we're you using?

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by JR0405

What watch we're you using?

Moto 360 with an iphone, so I am sure people with more integrated systems can find using a smartwatch at competition even more useful.

[TJP123]

Originally Posted by ASD20

I have not really used my watch for on-field applications, partially because I have been really cautious with the rules. I tried to not look at my watch at all on the field because I did not want to break the rules.

Pro Tip: This is not really a wearable thing, but one amazingly useful trick I figured out this year is to set a screenshot of your match schedule as your phone lock screen. It only saves you a few seconds each time, but times 100 times over 3 days it really makes a difference.

This year at a competition we were asked that the drive team not wear smart watches. As none of us had one, I assume it was something they were asking of all teams.

That Pro Tip is a good one. I would say that I'm going to use it, but I'm sure to forget by March of next year. I'll be happy if I remember by June of this year.

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by TJP123

This year at a competition we were asked that the drive team not wear smart watches. As none of us had one, I assume it was something they were asking of all teams.

Did you hear that at a driver's meetings? I never heard anything about it at my competitions and I never was confronted about wearing one. Since no one said anything, I just did not USE my watch on the field as the rules say rather than not WEAR it.

[TJP123]

Originally Posted by ASD20

Did you hear that at a driver's meetings? I never heard anything about it at my competitions and I never was confronted about wearing one. Since no one said anything, I just did not USE my watch on the field as the rules say rather than not WEAR it.

Head ref asked before the start of a match. They probably saw somebody wearing one and were being proactive about the outside communications rule.

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by TJP123

Head ref asked before the start of a match. They probably saw somebody wearing one and were being proactive about the outside communications rule.

I imagine that sometime in the near future, FIRST is going to have to directly address the legality of drive team wearing smartwatches. As more people start to get them, it is going to get harder to enforce the no use policy. FIRST will either need to ban them on the field or set specific rules as to what is and isn't allowed in regards to them.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by ASD20

Did you hear that at a driver's meetings? I never heard anything about it at my competitions and I never was confronted about wearing one. Since no one said anything, I just did not USE my watch on the field as the rules say rather than not WEAR it.

Just wear a wide sweatband that you pull down to cover the watch ...