Lesson 44: Driver Station and Match Readiness
Good robot code still needs good match preparation. Driver Station setup, joystick order, battery health, and quick checks can decide whether your code actually gets to run on the field.
Before the Match
- Confirm the correct robot code is deployed.
- Check that controllers are in the expected USB order.
- Choose the correct autonomous routine.
- Verify battery voltage is healthy.
- Confirm the robot disables and enables cleanly.
- Check dashboard connection if your drivers depend on it.
Joystick Order
If the driver controller moves to the wrong Driver Station slot, the robot may read the operator controller as the driver controller. Use clear labels and have a pre-match check.
Disabled Behavior
Disabled mode should be calm. Motors should not run, mechanisms should not surprise anyone, and dashboard setup should not take so much time that enable is delayed.
Field Connection
The Field Management System controls when the robot is enabled during a real match. Your code should not depend on a human enabling at exactly the moment you expected. Autonomous should initialize cleanly every time.
Practice
Create a one-page software pre-match checklist for your drive team. Keep it short enough that it can be used under pressure.