Driver Station · Project X003
A dedicated driver station for faster field setup and cleaner competition logistics.
Overview
X003 was created to improve the team's match setup process. Before this project, FRC Team 4079 did not have a dedicated driver station. The laptop, chargers, controllers, adapters, and connection cables were stored loosely on the robot cart, which made each match setup slower and less organized.
This project gave the drive team one purpose-built station that could carry and organize the main items needed at the field. It included built-in handles, a laptop mounting plate, controller holders, charger storage, USB passthroughs, and an ethernet passthrough for fast field connectivity.
X003 was also designed to work directly with the X002 · Robot Cart. When the team transported the robot to and from the field, the driver station could be stored in the robot cart handle area instead of being carried separately.
Outcome
X003 produced a fully modeled driver station that gave Team 4079 a cleaner and faster way to handle field setup. Instead of storing everything loosely on the robot cart, the team had a purpose-built unit for the laptop, controllers, chargers, adapters, and connection ports.
The project also connected directly with X002 · Robot Cart, making it part of a larger competition logistics system for moving the robot, bumpers, batteries, tools, and driver station equipment between the pit and field.
Problem & Goal
The team needed a faster and cleaner way to bring driver station equipment to the field. Without a dedicated driver station, setup relied on loose items stored on the robot cart, which made it easier to forget equipment, tangle cables, or spend extra time arranging everything before a match.
The goal was to create a compact driver station that kept the laptop, controllers, chargers, adapters, and connection hardware organized in one place.
Design Requirements
- Store the driver laptop, chargers, controllers, adapters, and connection hardware together
- Fit up to a 17" laptop
- Include a secure laptop mounting area
- Add storage for two Logitech controllers
- Include built-in handles for easy lifting
- Add USB and ethernet passthrough ports for fast field connection
- Include a charger holder for cleaner cable management
- Store inside the X002 · Robot Cart handle during transport
- Use practical parts and materials that the team could realistically purchase and build
Process
- 1Identified the driver station equipment the team needed to bring to the field
- 2Reviewed the problems caused by storing loose gear on the robot cart
- 3Modeled the driver station structure in SolidWorks
- 4Designed the laptop plate to fit up to a 17 in laptop
- 5Added 3D-printed Logitech controller holders
- 6Integrated charger storage, USB passthroughs, and ethernet passthrough
- 7Added built-in handles for lifting and carrying
- 8Designed the station so it could be stored in the X002 · Robot Cart handle during transport
- 9Created a pricing breakdown for the major purchased parts
Technical Decisions
- Used a dedicated laptop plate instead of relying on loose cart storage
- Sized the laptop area for up to a 17 in laptop
- Used rubber feet or hook and loop as simple laptop retention options
- Added two 3D-printed Logitech controller holders for organized controller storage
- Included USB and ethernet passthrough ports to speed up field connection
- Added a charger holder to reduce cable clutter
- Used built-in handles so the station could be lifted easily
- Designed around compatibility with the X002 · Robot Cart for transport and storage
Laptop Mounting
The main laptop mounting surface used a custom 4079 plate sized to hold up to a 17" laptop. The laptop could be attached using rubber feet or hook and loop, depending on what the team wanted for grip and serviceability.
The 4079 plate also added team identity while still serving as a functional mounting surface.
Controller Storage
X003 included two 3D-printed Logitech controller holders. These gave the controllers a dedicated place to sit when not in use instead of being left loose on the cart or field-side table.
This helped keep the driver station cleaner and made it easier for the drive team to quickly confirm that both controllers were present before a match.
Connectivity and Cable Management
The driver station included built-in USB and ethernet passthrough ports to make field connection faster and cleaner. Instead of digging through loose adapters or routing cables every match, the needed connection points were built into the station.
It also included a charger holder and space for connection accessories, helping keep the driver station organized between matches.
Handles and Transport
Built-in handles made X003 easier to lift and move. This mattered because the driver station had to be carried between the pit, queue, and field repeatedly during competitions.
The station was also designed to store in the X002 · Robot Cart handle area during transport. This connected the robot cart and driver station into one field-side logistics system, keeping the robot, controls, batteries, bumpers, and support equipment together.
Cost and Purchased Parts
The pricing breakdown estimated the driver station at about $191.54 in purchased parts.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| MAXTube | Main structure |
| Handles | Carrying and lifting |
| Handle spacers | Handle mounting |
| 10-32 hardware | Assembly hardware |
| USB extensions | Field-side USB passthrough |
| Ethernet extension | Field-side ethernet passthrough |
| USB-C hub | Laptop connectivity |
| Rubber grommets | Cable protection and routing |
What I Learned
- How small logistics projects can improve competition flow
- How to design around driver team setup instead of only robot mechanisms
- How to organize electronics, cables, controllers, and laptop mounting in one compact assembly
- How to design a project that integrates with another support system
- How to use SolidWorks for practical team equipment, not just robot subsystems
- How to balance cost, simplicity, and usability in a field-side tool
