Driver selection

[daniel_dsouza]

Well, you asked a question that is brought up a lot preseason (in our team). These questions are usually directed towards me, as I do the picking.

Our first requirement is that a potential driver has to have attended most of the meetings, and have helped build, and therefore is familiar with everything going on, down to the current team dynamic (usually stressed during the late hours of build season).

Secondly, potential drivers must have a detailed understanding of how different mechanisms on the robot work and interact. This includes mechanical, electrical, programming.

Thirdly, potential drivers need to have a intuitive grasp of the rules, so that they can weigh options and make decisions quickly without incurring penalties.

Fourthly, the few driver candidates left at this point have to have a detailed understanding of the meaning of FIRST, and GP. They are the face of our team, and should only leave positive influences.

These characteristics are evaluated using the leaders memories, as well as a test. Ours is available here. Feel free to take it!

Usually about 6-7 people take the test, and the tests are scored using Excel.
These 6-7 are narrowed down to 3-4 people.

The Coach, always an alumni, is responsible for the final driver tests.

Based on what part of the drive team each member wants, they are given a practical test. For the driver, this involves taking a robot through a mock field, trying to complete a course in the smallest amount of time. Operators practice operating the scoring mechanism.

The final drive team is selected by combining the people whom "have chemistry", and have the highest practical test and written scores. This team will consists of a pair of people who between them can talk to people and can diagnose most problems while in the heat of battle. (ex. mechanical + programmer). Backups are selected to work with the existing team (unlike early American space Travel). We had to use a backup when our operator (me) had to sit out a match to reprogram the robot.

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by sg999

Thanks guys, this will definitely help with driver selection for next year. We'll certainly try to implement these ideas into driver selection for next year. Also, who exactly is it that has the final say on drivers? And how often do you change your drivers, as in are they different people each year or are they the same for all four years? How much time does your drive team practice after being selected?

Most points were already covered by others but I will gladly point out that our drivers have to win their spot every year through tryouts. Just because you drove one year does not make you automaticly on the team the next.

Also our drive and strategy coaches have the final say on drivers after all quantitative and qualitative testing. That way we can factor chemistry, maturity, dependability and other subjective qualities. But we have a lot of history with this and after 10-14 years you can pick out the qualities that will help you best behind the glass.

[JVN]

I posted my thoughts on this last February:
http://blog.iamjvn.com/2011/02/robot...selection.html

My thought process hasn't changed.

TL;DR summary:
"Pick someone with strong work ethic, you can train a monkey to drive a robot, but you can't train them to work hard."

-John