Is our driver’s coach allowed to stand on a stool during the competition so that he is taller?
I believe this would fall under an item to give a competitive advantage so no.
T33
The only equipment that may be brought in to the Alliance Station is the Operator Console and non-powered signaling devices. Reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability may be brought into the Alliance or Kinect Stations. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the team, are prohibited.
Not to mention being unsafe. What if a driver or human player bumped into him and knocked him off?
I can see this being allowed only if they’re short enough to not be able to see over the alliance station or their drivers. Then it might be ruled as a “disability”.
But if it’s just to be able to see better than you already can, yes the last line of T33 defines that.
While the original question has indeed been answered, as I am reading it I’m curious as to whether it would be legal if you physically attached a periscope-type device to your operator console…this may be brough on because I’m brain dead from a our first regional plus the day back and our spring break being on wednesday…
After reading T33 Iam going to say NO, But it never hurts to ask the HEAD REF.
Even if the Head Ref did allow it, just think of the possible safety issues. With the human players running back and forth between the corral and imbounder station, what is the likely hood of one of them accidentally hitting the stool and knocking your coach off? ::ouch::
T33 Specifically allows for teams to bring their operators’ console, if that happens to include a periscope, which is not specifically disallowed, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be allowed.
FIRST has always made the competition accessible to people who want to participate. I have seen devices to help shorter people see over the drivers. In TV and film these are known as apple boxes. All the short stars use them.
A periscope might be pushing the limit on this. There is one unbreakable and unwritten law in FIRST, don’t make it hard for your alliance partners to play.
While past year’s Q/A’s do not apply to the current year, in 2010, a short student driver was denied a stool. http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14863
There is discussion of the previous answer here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83639&highlight
Has anyone had any problems with your drivers station controls fitting in the space provided. Is it alright if there is a little overhang?
[R82] GAME
The Operator Console must not exceed 44 in. long by 12 in. deep (excluding any items that are held or worn by the Drivers during the Match).
As these are the surface dimensions of the smallest shelf, the answer is no.
Also remember that there is an emergency stop button on the drivers station that takes up space.
I’d like to respond to this again, I am still alittle “sore” about this ruling. My student that year had a slow growth hormone according to his doctors. It’s a medical condition he has, I am disappointed that FIRST did that to us. He drove anyway at Boilermaker in 2010.
You can see him salute at 0.01 seconds in this video.
This year, I may have the same driver. He is 4 feet tall and 16 years old and a sophomore in high school.
I learned that FIRST has a wheel chair ramp for the driver station after the 2010 year. It’s a PAIN to bring it out…so this year, I can if I want make the field volunteers bring the wheel chair RAMP to the driver station for my short driver.
He would be ok standing on the “apple” box and it would not be necessary to bring the giant wheel chair ramp for him if they will allow it. I plan on talking with the head ref about this at our next event and see what we can work out with my drivers medical condition.
EDIT: Let me say, in 2010 we did not know of the condition I mentioned above, hence could not “ask” the question in the Q&A as a medical condition question, and it was going to be “tough” to convince anyone that an 8th grader was vertically challenged. This year in 2012, I think I have a good case, hopefully people are reasonable.
Chris, In your case would this clause in rule T33 apply?
[T33]
The only equipment that may be brought in to the Alliance Station is the Operator Console and non-powered signaling devices. Reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability may be brought into the Alliance or Kinect Stations. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the team, are prohibited.
Not only [R82], as others have mentioned, it’s also on the inspection checklist. It will be verified, and you won’t get thru inspection if your DS is over size.
When I first saw our driver station, it looked too big. I whipped out my tape measure (everyone carries a tape measure during build season, right?). The DS frame was 11 7/8". So, I hope the inspector’s tape measure is calibrated as well as mine. 
[EDIT] If there is more discussion on the DS, someone should start a new thread, so we can keep this one on topic.
Yes, I think so. Sorry to comment on this thread, but since our question from 2010 was referenced I thought I would share the “after story”.
This might be legal for a driver, but only the drivers may “operate” the console, so your coach (as in the original post) could not use the periscope! See Rule G36.
Dr. Bob
Chairman’s Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.
In 2006 my daughter was 12 yrs old and the manipulator. She could barely see over the console. The drive coach said he didn’t want her standing on a box. He only wanted the opposing alliance to be able to see her eyes!!. The OI board was almost as tall as she was. It did cause a few double takes the first couple of matches.
No, it is not. The “overhang” will try to occupy the same space as some very solid aluminum, and I don’t think the aluminum field will lose that battle.
Sorry, but everyone else read the same rules.