I was looking to use some off season events to learn some of the ropes of volunteering at events. I am going to help CSA at Gateway Robotics Competition . I took the online training for CSA. But there will be 3 of us there. So I though maybe I would look at robot inspector as a way to add additional help.
Looking at this page I see " * Must pass online Robot Inspector Certification minimum one week prior to the event" But I find no link to robot inspector certification or training like I did for CSA.
I realize inspector training probably has some year specific rules and will need to be redone next year, but is there a way to go through the training/certification now?
Not sure about taking the actual certification test, but it is typically a short open book quiz on the robot construction rules. So if you read through them and are familiar enough to know where to look to get the answers then you would be good go as far as the certification goes.
I think having an in person training with an experienced inspector and see how they interact with the team and go through a robot to find any rules or safety issues and resolve them in a positive manner is much more valuable training than the certificate.
Nope. You get access to it through volunteer registration for an event. The good news is most off-season events don’t require this certification! Reach out to the event, or to your local LRI(s) and ask about training at an off-season event. It’s a great way to get some practical experience and more in-depth training than you can normally get during the season!
Just a heads up the inspection will be pretty laid back for GRC as we do what many off-season events and trust that competing teams have no done anything since competition to pose a safety risk to teams or spectators. It is expected that all teams comply within the rules (+5lbs allowance) and of course if something looks concerning or is questionable we would like teams to speak to a event coordinator so it can be addressed. Safety is first, but focus will be on letting everyone play and getting in as many matches as possible.
As others have indicated, the “certification test” for becoming a Robot Inspector (RI) is now closed for the year. To gain access to taking that RI certification test a volunteer must be assigned as an RI by a regular season event Volunteer Coordinator (VC). Once assigned the volunteer is given access to an online RI test. Since the regular competition season is over and obviously VCs aren’t assigning volunteers to RI rolls any longer there is no more online RI certification test available for this year.
Folks, there seems to be some mystique about what is needed to become an RI. It is very simple. Read and get comfortable with the ROBOT Construction Rules (Section 9) and the Inspection & Eligibility Rules (Section 10). Use the Inspection Checklist as your cheat sheet. That really is all there is to it. This isn’t a PhD defense here. The hardest part of being a good RI has nothing to do with the technical aspects and the “rules”. It is the soft skills and being an effective “people person” not the “robot police” and learning how to work with teams to find an effective solution to any issues with the least negative impact.
The “certification test” is like 20 multiple choice questions that Al and I pull together directly from the robot rules (Section 9) and inspection rules (Section 10) just to make sure the volunteer has read the rules and are comfortable enough with them to use them as a reference during an inspection. The “test” is open book, unlimited time. It is not difficult. Any technical FRC mentor should be able to pass it easily.
The real Robot Inspector “training” comes on-the-job when you get to an event. Al, myself, and FIRST HQ train all the Lead Robot Inspectors (LRIs) annually either in person at FIRST HQ in January or virtually via a series of training calls. The LRIs are in turn responsible for carrying that training forward to their individual RIs at events. Rookie RIs are paired with experienced RIs at events to get hands on training until they are ready to “solo”. The event LRI and other experienced RIs are always there as backup and eager to jump in and help with the tough stuff. Again, the robot Inspection Checklist is the RIs “cheat sheet”. It is supposed to be a one page (front and back) checklist of everything to look for with references to the actual rules by rule number to reference for clarity if needed. The Inspection Checklist does not need to be followed in any order but it is logical to follow the flow top to bottom in many cases such that things like significant BUMPER issues are caught early and things like the power on checks are done later after other things like electrical and pneumatics have been looked at. If you can follow the checklist, which I implore ALL TEAMS to do at home before the even pack up to head to an event, then you can be a RI and should easily pass inspection. The Inspection Checklist is no secret, it’s published on the FIRST website, and is your friend. Use it!
In my experience, few off season events do thorough robot inspections as are done at regular in season competitions. The level of robot inspections done are obviously up to those running the individual off season event.
Al and I are always more than happy to help with impromptu RI training at any events we are attending whether it is a regular season event or an off season event. If anyone is considering becoming an RI please grab either of us and let’s have a conversation.
I will be at Red Stick Rumble this weekend so don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are there!