SuperScouter For FRC -- A Multiplatform, Extensible Scouting System

[jkoritzinsky]

SuperScouter for FRC
SuperScouter has been released! It is currently available on the Play Store and the App Store (pending review). Download the server from http://jkoritzinsky.github.io/SuperScouter4FRC and start your scouting plan today!

What is SuperScouter?

SuperScouter is a scouting platform that supports iOS, Android, and (in the future) Windows Phone. The server component currently is Windows only.

What makes SuperScouter "Super"?
Unlike every other scouting app, SuperScouter was designed from the ground up to support "customizable schemas". That means that each team can create a "schema" using the Schema Designer on the server application that defines what data to collect. This makes SuperScouter unique in that it does not require a brand new app each year. This allows development to focus on adding new features instead of re-creating the same thing each year.

How do the apps communicate with the server?
Schema Downloading
Schema downloading is only supported over HTTP. The application has a built in HTTP server that you can start with the "Start HTTP Server" button. It will be available on all IP addresses the server computer has. In the app, go to "Manage Schemas > Add New" or "Manage Schemas > +" and type in the IP address of the computer as given on the server app. Your schemas should show up. Tap one and tap the download button to download it. You will now be able to enter data with this schema.
Sending Data
Sending data to the server is supported over HTTP and QR codes.

What types of data are supported?

• Numbers (Integers)
• Text boxes
• Sliders (Integers between Min and Max values)
• Yes/No switches
• Multiple Choice (Multi or Single select)

More (such as images support) will come in future versions.

Technical Aspects
This platform is developed entirely in C#. I am utilizing Xamarin Forms to develop my UI for all three mobile platforms simultaneously. Communication is done with Protocol Buffers since they are compact and have a simple way to support inheritance within the serialization (because of shared code). Additionally, it allows me to program the deserialization just so that it matches contract.

I have a question.
Awesome! Just reply here and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I see it!

General Roadmap

• Image data items
• Auto-syncing with FMS API (if connectivity permits)
• Cross-Platform Server Application

[jkoritzinsky]

How do I create a schema?
Open the server application. Click on "Open Schema Editor". From there you can create a schema. Save it, and then deploy your devices to collect data!

How is the data exported?
The server exports data as a zip file containing CSV files (which can be imported into both Excel and Tableau, among others).

[jagoldman]

This is a cool design! I went to the website and clicked on the App Store button. A pop up message said that it wasn't available in the US. Do you know when it will be?

I suppose it does depend on what apple decides to do...

[jkoritzinsky]

Originally Posted by jagoldman

This is a cool design! I went to the website and clicked on the App Store button. A pop up message said that it wasn't available in the US. Do you know when it will be?

I suppose it does depend on what apple decides to do...

It all depends on when Apple approves it. I'm in that time period where I'm just waiting for review and can't do anything.

[jkoritzinsky]

Originally Posted by jkoritzinsky

It all depends on when Apple approves it. I'm in that time period where I'm just waiting for review and can't do anything.

Apple has now approved it! Use the link on the the SuperScouter website (or search for it) to download it from the App Store!

[willdabeast123]

I'm new to the scouting business, is there a chance you could maybe post a guide to using your software. for the life of me i cant figure out how to start the sever.

[jkoritzinsky]

Sure! I've been meaning to get that written for a while. I'm super busy until middle of next week. But I'll write up a guide (and possibly push out an update that's slightly more user friendly).

For your specific problem, try putting something into the Regional text box and then click out of it. You should be able to start the HTTP server. If you mean the actual server application, it is the SuperScouter.LocalServer.exe file in the zip downloaded from the website.

[orangemoore]

When you are recording match data how are you meant to distinguish matches/teams for that piece of data? Do you just need to include it in the data you collect?

[jkoritzinsky]

Yep. In the current version you need to include those data entries manually.

[alexpell00]

Hello,

I was thinking of making my own scouting app and wanted to know if people liked SuperScouter. If people like it then it might just be worth stuck with it.

[NinjaMunkeeNao]

This is awesome! Last year even though I wasn't on my team I helped with scouting (I'm a sibling of a senior team member and attended every single competition), and it definitely isn't the funnest thing on the planet, so I'm really glad to see this coming out. It looks really cool!

A quick question: do you know when the app will be available for download on the App Store?

[Robojacks4674]

Just thought I'd mention this, we scouted all 6 teams through practice rounds (to get the scouters informed of how it works) and then a large majority of the quals of our week 6 event, and when I went to export, the program crashed. couldn't get the data out of the ssfrc file extension. just simply wouldn't export. not entirely your fault, Jeremy, as we had a lot of data in our schema, and a lot of recorded data off that schema, but a lot of people on our team were disappointed in me, being head of Scouting.

[jkoritzinsky]

Originally Posted by Robojacks4674

Just thought I'd mention this, we scouted all 6 teams through practice rounds (to get the scouters informed of how it works) and then a large majority of the quals of our week 6 event, and when I went to export, the program crashed. couldn't get the data out of the ssfrc file extension. just simply wouldn't export. not entirely your fault, Jeremy, as we had a lot of data in our schema, and a lot of recorded data off that schema, but a lot of people on our team were disappointed in me, being head of Scouting.

That's not good... I'll try to figure out why that happened. Any chance you can send me the ssfrcexport file so I can try to figure out what happened?

[smarthimandrew]

Any possibility of transmitting schemas over QR codes? This would allow the system to work in a completely "off the grid" envoirnment.

[jkoritzinsky]

I'll put that on the feature backlog. The reason it isn't in there now is because that's not totally required to make this meet competition rules since schemas should be designed and deployed before competition.