Drivers

[JulieB]

one or two drivers of the bot this year

every year for the past 4 years we have had two drivers but this year some seniors want to just have one driver for both buttons and stick

what is your team doing?

[Jeff Rodriguez]

It depends on the robot.
If your robot doesn't have any arms or lifts, or manipulators, it may be better to have only one driver. This way they have control of everything they need to do.
If you have something other than a basic drive platform, and your robot has too many functions for one person, then you should use 2 drivers.

Basically, if one person can handle the whole robot well, then you can use one driver.

[JulieB]

Originally Posted by Ogre

It depends on the robot.
If your robot doesn't have any arms or lifts, or manipulators, it may be better to have only one driver. This way they have control of everything they need to do.
If you have something other than a basic drive platform, and your robot has too many functions for one person, then you should use 2 drivers.

Basically, if one person can handle the whole robot well, then you can use one driver.

only bad thing about one driver what if that person freezes on the field know one else can touch the controls

~julie

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Originally Posted by JulieB

only bad thing about one driver what if that person freeze on the field no else can touch the controls

~julie

That's why you have driver tryouts. To pick the best driver.

Also, please use punctuation.

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by JulieB

only bad thing about one driver what if that person freeze on the field no else can touch the controls

~julie

Not quite true. You can have two drivers on the field, even if only one is required to run the robot. If you can get away with one driver operating all the functions of the bot, I would highly encourage you use the second driver position as an additional coach. Having another set of eyes on the team that doesn't have to worry about the 'bot every second is another set of eyes that may see the golden opportunity. Both drivers can 'tag team' the controls if you wish, switching positions.

This is fairly critical this year, as the human player is isolated from the rest of the team, and won't be able to communicate effectively. The load on the coach has gone up because of this.

But, I do caution against putting all the bot functions on one person. accurately moving a robot on a small field crowded with 5 other robots, goals and tetras is challenging. If the driver then also has to keep track of a box of switches, things can get pretty complicated fast. It has been done, but I think that when it works is a combination of good controls, simple bot functions and a superb driver.

-Andy A.

[JulieB]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Not quite true. You can have two drivers on the field, even if only one is required to run the robot. If you can get away with one driver operating all the functions of the bot, I would highly encourage you use the second driver position as an additional coach. Having another set of eyes on the team that doesn't have to worry about the 'bot every second is another set of eyes that may see the golden opportunity. Both drivers can 'tag team' the controls if you wish, switching positions.

This is fairly critical this year, as the human player is isolated from the rest of the team, and won't be able to communicate effectively. The load on the coach has gone up because of this.

But, I do caution against putting all the bot functions on one person. accurately moving a robot on a small field crowded with 5 other robots, goals and tetras is challenging. If the driver then also has to keep track of a box of switches, things can get pretty complicated fast. It has been done, but I think that when it works is a combination of good controls, simple bot functions and a superb driver.

-Andy A.

this years drivers are going have to very good at talking and listen

[DarkJedi613]

I think its better to have two drivers for a few reasons:

1. Easier for each driver to control specific functions.
2. The drive only has to worry about moving, and colliding with other robots - if they're trying to move the arm, they can't do that.
3. It gives a chance for more members to actively participate during the competition.

[melmo]

In past years we have one driver directing the chassis and another driver controlling all the accessories. The same will probably hold true for this year

[henryBsick]

If you have any sort of endefector... you almost always have to have 2 drivers. The base driver must be solely concentrated on moving your bot by the other 5 bots and 9 goals on the field.
I also dislike the idea of two coaches. One coach is the brain of the team. He communicates with the other 2 coaches and his 2 drivers. The only thing another coach would do is cause confusion IMHO. If a only a single driver is required, have the second person available shout out time intervals.. or interpret the coaches directions to the driver. 2 thinking decision making coaches is bad. The strategy must come from one source period.I am not saying that a second person couldn't be used.. timing and robot alerts are great uses. But it is much much much easier when there are 2 drivers for a robot that has a manipulator of any kind. The drivers are just the hands on the floor implementing what the coach says.

[slickguy2007]

If you don't have an arm, you can still use the operator as a second coach. The operator could be the person talking to the human player or keeping an extra eye on the field. Even if you don't plan on using the operator to actually operate, you can still use them for other reasons.


GO 1403!!!

[Corey Balint]

In 2003, we only had one driver, and look where it got us, National Finals. It really depends on the robot and the driver though. If you have new driver/not to great a driver, it is obviously best to have two drivers out on the field. But in 2003, we had a 3 year driver out there doing the rounds by himself, flawlessy might i add.

A few things i can think of for not having 2 drivers:
1. Less communication for the coach to do.
2. Time between switching objectives can decrease.
3. Two coaches
4. (i have more, however i am drawing a big blank right now)

I know however, all my points can be countered, so it really just depends on the strength of the driver and the strength/diffuculty of the bot.

BTW-I personally think having 2 coaches can be very beneficial this year. You can have one talk to each alliance partner, and each can be watching separate tasks.

[Kyle Love]

As always...45 will have one driver and one operator. Both of the positions are still unfilled at this time since we haven't had try outs yet. What other team(s) have driver/operator tryouts?

[Charley]

Last year was our rookie year, and before we even started on the bot, we had a student who decided to bring in his RC cars.

It was pretty clear who the best driver was going to be. Every once and a while other people drive it, but he is our main (and only) competition driver.

He's very good with using controls, and it is better for him personally to have them at the same time, but it all depends on the team. In our team, I don't think people communicate well, and it'd be hard for more than one driver to control, or even to switch coaches from match to match.

[JulieB]

Originally Posted by Henry_222

If you have any sort of endefector... you almost always have to have 2 drivers. The base driver must be solely concentrated on moving your bot by the other 5 bots and 9 goals on the field.
I also dislike the idea of two coaches. One coach is the brain of the team. He communicates with the other 2 coaches and his 2 drivers. The only thing another coach would do is cause confusion IMHO. If a only a single driver is required, have the second person available shout out time intervals.. or interpret the coaches directions to the driver. 2 thinking decision making coaches is bad. The strategy must come from one source period.I am not saying that a second person couldn't be used.. timing and robot alerts are great uses. But it is much much much easier when there are 2 drivers for a robot that has a manipulator of any kind. The drivers are just the hands on the floor implementing what the coach says.

Yeah! on the coaches thing they cant work together in one mind set.

[Bharat Nain]

Originally Posted by JulieB

Yeah! on the coaches thing they cant work together in one mind set.

I disagree. If you split responsibilities you can definitely work together. Playing the game should be one coach's job. Maybe something like watching the time. In this years game you could probably use another coach for watching the goals capped and stuff? If you work it out right you can do well. That's a guarantee. It worked well for us in 2003. We were the CMP finalist.