Strategy Databases

[Ben]

Hey Everybody,

Thought id start talkin a little strategy since we got a great new forum. Did anyone elses team come up with some sort of database for storing robot information? We did but unfortunately ours was very "stone age" i guess you could call it. Just wonderin if anybody else had a program or anything that i could find out about.

Thanks,
Ben

[Mike Soukup]

I know of a few teams that built scouting / strategy databases. GMCIA (a bunch of GM teams from Michigan: 65, 66, 67 I believe) and WASH w/ SOAP (teams 108 & 111) are the two that I'm familiar with. Both systems had many other teams help out with the scouting, and the information gathered by both databases was passed along to many teams as well.

I'm very familiar with WASH w/ SOAP because I led the effort on team 111 (the WASH side). We developed a system to gather scouting data during matches on PalmOS handhelds, then sync with the central WASH database located on our team's laptop. We could then perform queries on the database for information such as the best balancer, BB bot, tow bot, or limbo bot, etc. Technically we were capable of uploading all our data to the SOAP database where it would be available anyone at their public kiosks, but logistically it was a nightmare at Nationals because our team had very limited computer resources to work with and my team of students was over-worked, plus the SOAP team had their own problems (such as flooding).

That's just the real quick overview. But if anyone wants more information, whether it's technical, or otherwise, post a reply or email me. I can go on for quite a while. Which reminds me, I should write up some good technical documents on the design & functionality.

And I don't think I can say this enough. Thank you very much to all the teams that helped us out at all the competitions. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you guys. Of course I have to mention 108 first because they were our main partner. Many thanks to 45, 74, 112, & 538 as well.

As always I enjoy plugging both WASH w/ SOAP and GMCIA and will leave the explination of GMCIA to Nate.

Mike

[Joe Ross]

You can see Soap's website at soap108.com. From there you can do queries to their database and see what it is like.

edit: fixed grammar error so mean people can't correct me

[Mike Soukup]

Thanks Joe, I forgot that SOAP had the data online. Follow the 'SOAP Query' link to get to the database. The best competitions to query are Chicago & Michigan (Kennedy may not be complete because it was the trial run). The reports labeled "WASH-???" were gathered by scouts from 111, 45, 74, & 112 on Palms during each match. Note that the WASH database has more queries than the online SOAP version. And the "Results-by-???" reports are SOAP's unofficial (but accurate) scoring of each match. If you look around the website more, you can find videos from some of the competitions. SOAP digitized all of these real time & they were available a minute or so after each match. Of course, if you have any questions, just ask.

Mike

[Ken Leung]

I still remember there was the really good downloadable database from the GRR team...

It doesn't have as much information about the robots, but it was extremely customizable for users, and really easy to use.

I forgot the team number for GRR...

[Joe Ross]

]GRR is team 340. Thier website says that the 2001 database is under construction, but it is there and you can download it.

Like Ken said, it doesn't have any information about the robots (you add that yourself ). But it's great if you don't have another type of database.

[Kenny Ardizzone]

If you need more info about SOAP or would like to run the setup at your regional feel free to contact me at: wasssoap@soap108.com.

Tentative coverage for 2002 so far is
UTC - 177 & other UTC Teams
KSC - 108
IL - 108
EPCOT - 108

Regards,
KA