Remote Robocoach position discussion.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Matt C

Hand signals from the remote robocoach station?

Set of eyes on the opposite end of the field could be handy.

Could anyone find a reference in the rules which explicitly prevents hand signaling, wipeboards, or any other "realtime" communication means from the remote Robocoach back to the Driver's station? All I could find was references to the Robocoach's interaction with the robot.

The remote Robocoach certainly has an up close view (and earful) of the opposing alliance's communication and tactics during a match. This would be useful should the Robocoach's team face anyone in that alliance again.

I'd personally hope teams' remote Robocoaches would be too busy watching the field to pay attention to their opponent's driver stations, but if it's legal to make such observations of your opponent and relay information back to your alliance station, then if I'm a drive team coach, I'm certainly going to prepare for that possibility. Maybe we'll talk in code or speak Navajo or something.

[AdamC]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Maybe we'll talk in code or speak Navajo or something.

Windtalkers II: FIRST Overdrive

[Matt C]

I wasn't necessarily thinking of "spying" on the opposing alliance, just a set of eyes able to see why the robot is stuck, or if it has cleared a field element while not in complete view of the drivers due to robots/balls being in the way.

You do raise an interesting point.
If you can use white boards, you need to find someone with good handwriting to be your robocoach, and someone able to read that writing from 45 feet away to be on your drive team.

[Roger]

Eyes at the opposite end of the field and hand signals was my idea too. I remember how difficult it was to see around the center rack last year. (So long ago...) That far hairpin turn could be a killer to see how close the robot is to other robots.

Plus still using the remote clicker, though I'm not sure how good that would coordinate with the second driver. The team in Driver station #1 is practically blind to the opposing Robocoach station. What kind of screen front do the Robocoach stations have? Can you actually see enough of someone from 54 feet away?

Originally Posted by Matt C

If you can use white boards, you need to find someone with good handwriting to be your robocoach, and someone able to read that writing from 45 feet away to be on your drive team.

I remember a story about a joke writer for Bob Hope or someone of that era, who could quickly write jokes on cue cards for the on-stage comedian. He used this special ability while driving to tell other drivers exactly what he thought of them.

[Wayne Doenges]

I had the idea of having the Robocoach, at the opposite end of the field, watching the robot as it passes the end of the divider. He could than hit his remote, which would set off a light, on the bot, or a signal on the I/O to let the drive know when he is past the divider and it is safe to turn.
This is done in Radio Controlled Pylon racing. The pilot can't tell when he is past the pylon (several 100 yards away) so they set out spotters at the #1 pylon with lights or signal boards. When the pilot is past the pylon the spotter signals the pilot's assistant who tells the pilot to turn.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Could anyone find a reference in the rules which explicitly prevents hand signaling, wipeboards, or any other "realtime" communication means from the remote Robocoach back to the Driver's station? All I could find was references to the Robocoach's interaction with the robot.

There were rules about not being able to use special equipment in the past by human players.

There were rules about not being allowed to communicate with the team on the field from off the field, specifically with devices such as cell phones/walkie talkies in the past.

I feel kind of blown away/ashamed of my abilities of knowing the manual that I can't find any of these this year.
I'm specifically looking in Section 6, 7, & 8 because I believe that's where this info would be found if it were there to be found.

I don't see anything like that this year (which is odd) which (if this is the case and unless someone can prove me wrong) should not dissallow use of something (such as hand signals from the Robocoach to the drivers) from either side of the field's Robocoach position - Local or Remote, let alone from someone in the stands or along the sidelines. Maybe an oversight by the people who wrote the Manual, or could this be an intended ommision.
I hate to say "well last year we weren't able to do action XXX" but for something like this, I can't see why they would drop it as that rule has been constant for a while now no matter how the physical game play has changed over the years.

Hmmm... I think we need to look into this one a little further.