Scouting

Scouting in FRC is a way to analyze and record data during competitions. The data will be used to determine which teams we would like to be on our alliance and improve our chances of winning.

There are different ways to scout, in the pits and during qualification matches. In the pits, members of the team will take pictures of other teams’ robots, which reminds us of what the robot looks like. In addition, members will ask the questions about the robot, such as type of drive base, whether it is a long or wide robot, and other technical questions about the robot. During qualification matches, members of the teams will watch the robots play the game. Depending on the game, we make a scouting sheet containing the list of abilities of the robot during game play. For example, 2012’s game was Rebound Rumble, and we collected data on the robot’s ability to score and to balance. As team members watch the robots play, they recorded if the robots were able to shoot, the accuracy scoring, and whether if it was able to balance. We also record the qualification matches to help us clarify a robot’s ability if the data from the scouting sheets inconsistent.

Not all teams may want to interview teams or spend the entire regional competition watching robots play. Teams may choose one method over the other or some combination of both.