FRC GamePlan Strategy App

[techhounds868]

FRC 868 is proud to present our new app, FRC GamePlan for FIRST Stronghold!

GamePlan is a novel Android application that allows teams to effectively strategize upcoming matches by configuring a complete field, outlining potential alliance strategies, and sending them between students/mentors/additional teams.

Developed utilizing Android Material Design, the app provides a blank field for drive teams and strategists to customize according to the needs of upcoming matches. Drivers and coaches can quickly manipulate the DEFENSES, add ROBOTS (with optional designs tailored to offensive or defensive roles), show BOULDERS, and draw out potential ROBOT movements across the field.

Any plans drawn can be saved (permanently, if chosen) and even restored for matches at later times or later competitions. This feature allows teams to pre-strategize matches for expedited efficiency during match planning.

In addition, the app contains new SENDING features! Utilizing Bluetooth technology, teams can send match strategies from the stands to the field or pits (maximum 700 ft. - device dependent). Furthermore, these plans can be shared with other teams utilizing GamePlan, giving them the capacity to manipulate and save these designs as well.

All FIRST teams are welcome to download this application free of charge utilizing the Google Play market with the link below. Any feedback is appreciated. In addition, the iOS version is coming soon, so stay tuned!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ds.frcgameplan



Feel free to contact us at techhounds868@gmail.com with any questions regarding the app. Thanks to Atif Niyaz for his hard work!

[Yoni Gootkin]

Really good job guys!!! downloaded it, and i'm super happy. Wish you good luck!

[jajabinx124]

Oooo nice idea creating this app! Totally gonna play around with this app.

[TheStatisticMan]

I definitely think that this is a great idea! However, as the owner of an iPhone, this app is inaccessible to me I'm looking forward to the iOS version!

[New Lightning]

Just downloaded it and I love, love, love it. I think this is fantastic and will definitely be using it this year.

[gblake]

Don't attempt to send anything from the stands (from anywhere) to the field. That's a big Bozo No-No.

[Dragonking]

Originally Posted by gblake

Don't attempt to send anything from the stands (from anywhere) to the field. That's a big Bozo No-No.

Only during the match. Before the match bluetooth is absolutely fine. Occasionally some events will have issues but bluetooth but it isn't a rule violation.

[ANiyaz]

Originally Posted by Dragonking

Only during the match. Before the match bluetooth is absolutely fine. Occasionally some events will have issues but bluetooth but it isn't a rule violation.

FRC Gameplan developer here. That was what I meant when I originally designed the app.

[Jaxom]

That's a nice start; this could be quite useful. I've a couple of complaints:
1. Double-tapping to get a menu isn't reliable. I'm not sure what the criteria are, but maybe the app is expecting too fast or too close together.
2. Tapping on the defenses doesn't always bring up the defenses menu.

And some suggestions:
* Add an eraser, please.
* It would be helpful to enforce the "only one from each category" restriction for defense selection.
* Line width selection might be nice. Certainly not essential.

[ANiyaz]

Originally Posted by Jaxom

That's a nice start; this could be quite useful. I've a couple of complaints:
1. Double-tapping to get a menu isn't reliable. I'm not sure what the criteria are, but maybe the app is expecting too fast or too close together.
2. Tapping on the defenses doesn't always bring up the defenses menu.

And some suggestions:
* Add an eraser, please.
* It would be helpful to enforce the "only one from each category" restriction for defense selection.
* Line width selection might be nice. Certainly not essential.

Appreciate the feedback! There should be an update rolling around very soon with a fix for the double tap and defenses.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Dragonking

Only during the match. Before the match bluetooth is absolutely fine. Occasionally some events will have issues but bluetooth but it isn't a rule violation.

Originally Posted by ANiyaz

FRC Gameplan developer here. That was what I meant when I originally designed the app.

I understand, but ...

Think about it. How much time do you want users to spend assuring everyone involved that no inappropriate communication occurred?

If you are the drive team or the HP, I recommend conspicuously putting all communication devices away, before leaving the queue, and if you are in the stands, not telling folks you sent anything to the "field". It's a small but important improvement in the way you describe things.

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by gblake

I understand, but ...

Think about it. How much time do you want users to spend assuring everyone involved that no inappropriate communication occurred?

If you are the drive team or the HP, I recommend conspicuously putting all communication devices away, before leaving the queue, and if you are in the stands, not telling folks you sent anything to the "field". It's a small but important improvement in the way you describe things.

Its also illegal to have a phone out during a match. Our coach last year took out his phone during a match when our robot was dead due to a connection issue. We almost got carded. Lets just say we have a bin on our cart now where we place our phones.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Its also illegal to have a phone out during a match. Our coach last year took out his phone during a match when our robot was dead due to a connection issue. We almost got carded. Lets just say we have a bin on our cart now where we place our phones.

In other words, before leaving the queue; printing, drawing, or memorizing the plan is a good idea.

[ANiyaz]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Its also illegal to have a phone out during a match. Our coach last year took out his phone during a match when our robot was dead due to a connection issue. We almost got carded. Lets just say we have a bin on our cart now where we place our phones.

Originally Posted by gblake

In other words, before leaving the queue; printing, drawing, or memorizing the plan is a good idea.

Personally, I would recommend using a tablet for FRC GamePlan since it allows for a much bigger interface so that you could easily see the strategy.

We only used it when we were queued. Once it was our match, we kept the tablet back on our robot cart. Other teams by that time had a good idea of what they were doing.

[The Doctor]

Originally Posted by gblake

Don't attempt to send anything from the stands (from anywhere) to the field. That's a big Bozo No-No.

T4 only disallows 802.11 networks... Not to mention that the FMS uses 5ghz wifi and bluetooth is 2.4.