Thanks a lot for your compliments! Every year we try to improve our controls and now I think we nailed it.

The joysticks, shifter and switches are all from arcades, bought from a maintenance shop. We couldn't find a joystick with a top switch, so we had to machine one and press the switch into it. The box is made of wood with vinyl decals, weight is mildly excessive.
The operators do have to carry a robot to the field, so the board is a piece of cake.
Being from arcades, the joysticks are simple on/off switches, but we don't see the need for a more complicated system. Driving it is pretty straightforward. We do have feedback in every joint of the arm, though
