Scouting & Strategy: History
Comprehensive documentation of FEDS 201's scouting systems evolution
Scouting Google Drive (opens in a new tab)
Evolution of Our Scouting Systems
Pre-2021: The Paper Era
Before 2021, our team relied on a paper-based scouting system where team members specialized in monitoring specific robots and their capabilities.
- Documentation: Contact Luis for historical information
- Archive: Scouting Programs on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
2021-2022 Season: Foundation Building
System Components
- Google Sheets for data storage
- Paper-based field scouting
- WIFI connectivity
Advantages
- Collaborative editing capabilities
- Accessible to all team members
Challenges
- Performance issues with large datasets
- Reliability concerns
- Significant data loss incidents
- Limited practical application beyond pick lists
💡 Development Needs Identified:
- Faster data collection methods
- Improved data visualization tools
Implementation Experience
Our first digital scouting system began at Stoney Creek competition with paper-based data collection. The system suffered from accuracy issues and the manual data entry process was time-consuming. Despite having RCS WIFI access, we ultimately had to prioritize high-performing robots due to time constraints. The slow reference capabilities negatively impacted our picklist development process.
This experience highlighted the need for automation, inspired by observations of other teams using technology-enhanced scouting methods.
2022-2023 Season: Digital Transformation
System Development Team
Development Team: Zayn, Sukhesh, Adit, Timothy, and Andrew Salmonson designed the system architecture. Multiple approaches were considered, including Michael Kaatz's bitfield/bitmask method for data compartmentalization, though this was ultimately not implemented in favor of a solution supporting textual data alongside numerical information.
🚀 Technical Implementation Highlights:
- Front-End Development
- UI Development by Sukhesh
- Core functionality by Zayn
- Hamburger menu navigation
- Match listing with detail views
- Back-End Implementation
- JSON-based Shared Preferences
- Dynamic UI generation
- Blue Alliance API integration
- QR code data transfer system
Strategic Innovations (2022-2023)
We developed several effective strategic approaches:
- Penalty Zone Tactics: Methodically forcing opponents into penalty areas
- Charge Station Management: Consistent performance creating additional driving lanes
2023-2024 Season: Refinement & Planning
Bloomfield Off-Season Implementation
Strengths
- Reliable application performance
- Efficient data transfer processes
- Rapid Tableau integration
Areas for Improvement
- Data availability timing (potential Wi-Fi upload solution)
- User input accuracy (interface enhancements needed)
- Mode confusion between Autonomous and Teleoperated periods
Strategic Preparation (Kickoff 2024)
Our scouting team conducted a dedicated retreat to prepare for the season, reviewing resources from successful teams including 1678 Citrus Circuits and Karthik K's presentation.
Key Outcomes
- Strategic design framework
- Defined scouting objectives
- Leadership role assignments
- Resource allocation plan
Retreat Documentation (opens in a new tab)
New Application Architecture (2024)
Core Objective Develop a sustainable scouting system requiring minimal specialized knowledge, featuring a template-based design compatible with Tableau visualization.
Data Flow Design
- Template Categories: Match, pit, and alliance scouting
- Transfer Mechanism: QR-encoded CSV files
- Analysis Platform: Tableau processing
Conceptual Model Application inspired by FRC Scouter (opens in a new tab) with customizable template functionality.
Development Lead: Ritesh Raj
Season Performance Review
Organizational Strengths
- Effective drive team communication
- Strategic pre-planning capabilities
- Tactical adaptability
- Respected position among peer teams
Development Opportunities
- Enhanced data utilization
- Formalized strategic playbooks
- Improved inter-team relationships
Organizational Challenges
- Scouting-strategy communication gaps
- Resource concentration (strategic responsibilities)
Risk Factors
- Limited strategic role training
Strategic Achievements Our game analysis produced highly effective strategies that we thoroughly tested before competition implementation, ensuring reliability and adaptability.
2024-2025 Season: Integrated Systems
Bloomfield Off-Season Training
Achievements
- New member training with application
- Skill development for incoming students
Areas for Review Documentation pending
Strategic Planning Framework
Reliability Metrics Implementation
Unreliability Calculation Formula
[Dead Bot Count] * -2 +
[Red Card Count] * -20 +
[Yellow Card Count] * -5 +
[No Show Count] * -5 +
[20 Point Fouls] * -20 +
[3 Point Fouls] * -3Visualization Enhancements
- Playoffs Screen: Quickly compare teams with a playoff bracket visualization
- Alliance Information: Track which robot is in which alliance per match with separate Tableau pages
- Compare scouting data accuracy with Blue Alliance
- Analyze alliance compatibility
- Notes Storage: Include a section to store all notes within Tableau
Penfield Robotics Strategy Presentation (opens in a new tab)
2024-2025 Technical Infrastructure
Scout-Ops Platform
- Web Application: For scouting team data management, real-time monitoring, and Excel export functionality
- Mobile Application: For scout data collection in the field
- Backend Server: For data storage, strategy team access, and match simulation capabilities
📱 Connectivity Notice: Match simulations require stable Wi-Fi connectivity and backend server access. Ensure connectivity before operation.
Scout-Ops-Android Configuration
The Scout-Ops-Android application (available via Amazon App Store) requires proper configuration:
- Locate and select the Amazon App Store icon. Click on the icon to launch the Amazon App Store application.
- Access settings through the settings icon. Navigate to the settings menu to configure the application parameters.