Hi CD Community. I am really excited that this year I’ll be volunteering at an official FRC event for the first time. At the event that I signed up for, I talked to the VC and they had a couple of areas of greatest need, one of them being Robot Inspector positions, so, since I have a decent amount of technical knowledge from my time spent in the program, and have read the rules pretty closely, I figured I’d help out. Anyhow, now I’m signed up to be an inspector, something I’ve never done before, and I was wondering, from others on these forums who are or have been inspectors in the past, do you have any good advice for new inspectors? Things to watch for? Ways to improve teams’ experience during inspection? Best practices? I’d be grateful to any help people can provide.
The students are just as scared of you as you are of them ;). My best interactions with RIs when I was a student were the ones that that would call issues, but also give tips and tricks on how to fix it both at this event and to expedite the process at future events.
Also, point out all of the visible problem at the same time, not one at a time and stop the inspection. Complete as much of the inspection as you can the first time around and then check all of the mistakes when they come get you.
Not an inspector but have worked through inspection with many.
Make sure you know how to do a continuity check with a multimeter 
The number of times we have had to show inspectors how to use a multimeter and do a proper check for a short to the frame far outweigh the times they did a proper check.
We check for this thoroughly on our team but it scares me how many shorts might be missed because of the improper use of a multimeter. Not to knock on any inspectors at all. They have a very hard job and may not have even been given the training needed.
With that said, having worked with you before, with your knowledge and experience with FRC robots I know you will be a great inspector. Good luck!
Keep in mind that while what inspectors are looking at is technical, the job role is really a customer service role. The time you spend in a pit may be the most time those students spend interacting with any single volunteer at the event! You may have to tell them something is illegal, but always work to leave them on a positive note, with a clear plan towards passing inspection.
Make sure the inspection doesn’t take too long (If you’re in their pit for over half an hour, either you’re doing something wrong or they have some really serious issues!), and look at ways to speed it up - for example, ask for the CAW up front, and then move on to other items on the checklist while someone looks for it. When they finally find it 15 minutes later, circle back to it then!
You will see something new or unexpected on a robot. Something you aren’t 100% sure how to deal with. That’s fine! Let the team know that you aren’t sure about something and want to make sure they get the right ruling, and then go find your LRI. Have them give you and the team the ruling, and inquire for more explanation if needed so you can do better the next time. As an LRI, I would much prefer to follow an inspector back to a pit every 10 minutes to clarify something. The alternative is having bad rulings made and having to clean up a mess after the fact!
If you find something that is going to take a lot of time to correct, be sure you are right in your interpretation of the rule. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion especially from the LRI. (Keep in mind you are not the LRI. Be happy about that.)Try to follow the inspection checklist. It keeps the inspection organized and make sure you don’t skip something major. Express admiration for things done well on the robot. You are likely to see some good stuff. Try not to take anybodies birthday away.
We have had the check done incorrectly at least twice; one time the inspector was checking for continuity between the chassis and the battery connector (not the robot connector). The other time the main breaker was open, so the test to the positive connector on the Anderson only tested that length of cable. Each time, I did a double check.
I’ve watched inspectors do the check wrong, too 
Thursday at regionals are long, exhausting days, and even the best inspectors make mistakes by the end of the day. That’s why I always ask the team to prove that to me - then I just have to notice if they make a mistake, not do it myself!
-An alligator clip test lead, can be very helpful for when bypassing the pressure switch. Bring one along and keep it on your lanyard.
-Bring along your own printer cable
Friendly advice: If a team doesn’t have pneumatics on their robot then skip that section and ignore all the pneumatics things. It will make their life better and yours. You do not need to go through the pneumatics rules one by one and quiz the team about pneumatics IF they do not have pneumatics.
??? Printer cables are fairly old fashioned, with DB25 connectors on them. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen one in over a decade.
Do you maybe mean a USB A/B cable for tethering between the robot and RoboRIO?
Thanks everyone for the tips so far! Keep 'em coming!
Yes I mean a USB A/B cable, should have been clearer. There is a distinct difference between a modern USB printer cable/interface and the older DB25 cable
All the RIs we’ve ever had just asked for a pair of pliers.
Yep, the Alligator Clip is a tip/trick. It makes the pneumatic inspection process easier and looks more professional IMO.
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Have everyone leave the pit except for the Lead Mechanical STUDENT, and Lead Electrical STUDENT. It is crowded enough with the 3 of you and the robot in the pit.
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Ask for samples of each wire used on the robot. You need that to verify proper wire gauge. Ditto for pneumatic tubing, if used.
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Ask the students to describe the robot, what it does, and how it does it. It gives you a good overview of the robot, and something they say may highlight something you need to look into more carefully (either safety or cost).
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Follow the checklist. Point out things as you find them. Let them fix it later, or while you are inspecting something else.
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For the Cost Accounting Worksheet (CAW), I look for:
a) Does everything seem to be listed (that needs to be listed).
b) Nothing over $400, total under $4,000
c) What motors are being used (and compare to the allowed motor list).
d) Do I see anything on the robot that I didn’t see on the CAW. -
Make a list of things you are unsure about. Then you only have to find the LRI once.
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I leave the hard calls for the LRI. If you know it is going to take them a long time to fix something, then I ask the LRI to confirm.
Have with you (in a backpack):
Printed copy of the Game Manual. I mark pages I go to frequently.
Flash light
wire pigtail to short the pneumatic switch
Tape measure
Plumb (is it within the frame perimeter)
Multi-meter (to test continuity)
Goggles
Pencil/Pen
Especially with the Rookie Teams, give them tips as you go for ways to improve next year’s robot.
I have not been an FRC robot inspector, but I have inspected for FTC before. During my 4 highschool years I was the student that led the inspector through 90% of the inspection. The best inspector I ever had was Erik Stokely. From a students perspective the attitude of the RI made a huge difference. Please be positive and want to pass the teams. I have had inspectors in the past who seemed like they wanted the team to fail inspection and gave off a very negative tone which turned inspection into a two hour process.(We had a 30 minute discussion in our 4th event about whether or not our motor wire was legal, because it was one where you could tear away the red from the black, and there was some red left on the black portion of the wire. The inspector wanted to make us replace all of that wire, because he thought that the wire was unclear.) If a team has already been to two events odds are that their robot is probably legal, so the simple parts on the inspection checklist should go very fast. I also always loved when an inspector would check many parts of the robot himself without having to ask. (Example could be sharp edges or observing that they do not have pneumatics)
If you are still with an active team, do a inspection of your robot, if time permits. It does’t have to be competition bot, practice robot will do. Also your team members get some practice.
Just a word of caution, some teams are very picky about their robot and don’t like any one touching it or handling it. Before you reach out in their bot rely them what you are planning to do. Pls don’t pull wires or grab them, if you think wires are loose ask the team to check. One of the most common mistakes you see is long wire is looped and nicely zip tied, but the loop itself is not secured, this is a potential problem when 100+ lbs robot moves and bumps into others. This can cause intermittent loose connection.
Good luck and have fun.
All good advice, but Jon Stratis has it right when he wrote this is a customer service position. TALK to (not at) the team, and try to be friendly and supportive. Your LRI will have you do 2 or 3 inspections with a veteran before you’re set loose on your own.
Approach each inspection as “how can I help them comply with the rules, with minimal effort/grief”.
Someone mentioned asking for samples of wire: OK if they are able, but don’t stop if they can’t! They do not HAVE to (there is no rule) so do not insist.
Bring a small flashlight: Looking deep in the bot for a faint wire gauge marking or a motor part number needs light. Harbor Freight gives them away for free with a coupon.
Go through as much of the inspection on the first shot as you can. Something wrong? Don’t check it off, but revisit them all at the end.
If you are spending 35 minutes on an inspection (after you have some experience) you are spending too much time. Your LRI will guide you on what their expectations are.
Have fun, drink fluids, eat when it’s time, and go hand around the field during matches: You have almost the best seat in the house.
For the teams that you see struggling to finish the robot, find out 1) if they need help and 2) what kind of help. If you are able to give that help, do so. If not, go back to the other inspectors and see if they or someone they know can help the team.
The other thing about the teams struggling to finish on time, get their inspections started early and explain that it will help them knowing what may need to be fixed, as well as limit what needs to be inspected when they are ready. Ask when they think they may be finished, then go back and check on them. Don’t be pushy about it, just explain this is when they thought yhey might be ready and you wanted to see if they are or if they have a new time.
One last thing, dont feel like you have to know everything or make decisions about everything. Talk to the other inspectors or LRI until you are comfortable with what is going on or the solution to the issue.