Scouting- An Important ToolScouting is a very big part of competition, and it is a way for everyone on the team to get involved. Throughout the competition many robots come and go and when it comes to picking alliances, you want to know who is good. Scouting clears up any uncertainty and provides a useful advantage over any team that isn't scouting. The Blue Alliance.com is a very useful resource when it comes to scouting, as well as building your own scouting sheet. For other resources, click on some of the helpful links!
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Helpful LinksMany other FIRST Robotics teams have provided apps for teams to download that help them build online databases that help them scout easier. Check them out!
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Uncertainty: How to avoid it
A successful team needs to have a plan, a strategy that is adaptable to any situation. A full scale model of the arena may not be sufficient to knowing the outcome of the game (and having the winning game plan). Even a highly functional robot may result in failure. This is because of the uncertainty of other robots on the playing field. The abilities of your opponents and teammates have influence on the outcome of the game, regardless of your own successes and failures. How can you possibly know the proficiency of your peers beforehand?
Scouting
Unfortunately, you can't foretell the future. But using a method known as scouting keeps a record that you can use to make inferences. Scouting is the recording of the robot performance of each team, is a useful strategy for determining the best robots by analyzing their match histories. Having knowledge of the best robots helps you make the right pick for teammates in the finalist rounds. Understanding the play style and skill level of robots prepares expectations which information can be shared with alliance teammates for coordinated tactics. Analyzing of all robots in general can provide innovative mechanics and tactics for future performance.
To scout, you will need reliable teammates that watch and record every robot for each match of the game. This should not be a problem as long as they don't mind taking a break from cheering you on to multitask. Having someone take pictures of the robots may also help you remember and analyze performances.
To scout, you will need reliable teammates that watch and record every robot for each match of the game. This should not be a problem as long as they don't mind taking a break from cheering you on to multitask. Having someone take pictures of the robots may also help you remember and analyze performances.
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Characteristics to look for when scouting robots:
- Capable of shooting, climbing, balancing, etc. - Scored points with difficulty of goals - Accuracy (where applicable) - Innovative strategies and mechanics - Other significant anomalies
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