View Full Version : Poll: What do you use to control your bot?!?!
messer5740
04-09-2016, 21:59
How do you control your robot from behind the lines?? What controller do you use and why? Do you have different controllers for different drive trains?! Vote!!!:D
Poseidon5817
04-09-2016, 22:14
How do you control your robot from behind the lines?? What controller do you use and why? Do you have different controllers for different drive trains?! Vote!!!:D
Two things:
1) You don't control your robot from behind the lines (unless you're 254 or one of the many other teams who used CheesyVision in 2014 :D)
2) Wireless controllers aren't allowed because all control surfaces have to be connected to the driver station.
messer5740
04-09-2016, 22:15
Two things:
1) You don't control your robot from behind the lines (unless you're 254 or one of the many other teams who used CheesyVision in 2014 :D)
2) Wireless controllers aren't allowed because all control surfaces have to be connected to the driver station.
Oh lol didn't know that^
We're using the Logitech 3d joystick. Our new drivers have expressed interest in using a controller though, so we might switch to joysticks at some point (or at least experiment with them)
Hitchhiker 42
04-09-2016, 22:41
We use both an Xbox 360 and a Logitech joystick usually. This year, we tried a HOTAS system for base driving, which worked nicely.
Jay O'Donnell
04-09-2016, 22:57
I've usually used Xbox or Logitech joysticks, or the attack 3 joysticks.
But I've also seen steering wheels, custom switch boxes and a guitar hero guitar. You can make lots of things work.
Usually use a xbox controller, but this year we decided to go gamecube. Don't do that. It like to get disconnected a lot.
troy_dietz
04-09-2016, 23:07
Usually use a xbox controller, but this year we decided to go gamecube. Don't do that. It like to get disconnected a lot.
Original GC controller via an adaptor, or one of those USB clones? The adapters can be a bit of a pain at times, but I've never had any issues with the USB clones.
nickbrickmaster
04-09-2016, 23:21
Our standard setup for a few years now has been 2 Logitech Attack 3 joysticks for the driver. With this configuration, we've used tank, mecanum, and arcade drive layouts. Our operator previously used another Attack 3, but we found that insufficient for Stronghold, and we switched the operator to a Logitech Gamepad.
In the past, we have experimented with driving with a gamepad as well. At Gitchi Gummi Get Together, we had one driver on joysticks and one on gamepad (both drivers drove with both controllers at some point). They said that the joysticks were better (your mileage may vary).
Personally, I prefer joysticks because they have a longer moment arm, and thus, finer control over acceleration.
We use Logitech Gamepads (PS for PC controllers). They don't require a lot of energy to move, the drive team can put their hands where they want, and all the buttons are right there at your fingers (and we tend to use them).
dirtbikerxz
05-09-2016, 10:18
I use a xbox one elite controller. Purely because I need the instant access to all the buttons on the fly. I drive the bot alone, and dont have an operator. I would not recommend this setup for anyone that isnt capable of doing 10 things at once under pressure and stress :D . I linked an image of my latest control setup below. (note, the "activate boosters button" just flashes leds :P )
https://s22.postimg.org/6jww5nqbh/Lone_Star_Controls.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6jww5nqbh/)
jojoguy10
05-09-2016, 10:35
When I was the driver for Hotwire, I loved dual Logitech joysticks! They were the ambidextrous ones, not the 3D Pro. I felt that I got more control since joysticks give a larger range of motion than an Xbox-like controller.
Our current driver also uses dual joysticks.
Original GC controller via an adaptor, or one of those USB clones? The adapters can be a bit of a pain at times, but I've never had any issues with the USB clones.
One of the new smash ones with a mayflash adapter. Our drivers were both melee players and couldn't stand the clones.
We have used the big Logitech joysticks from the kit some years, and an xbox 360 controller others (xbox slightly more commonly). What we use is largely a function of how the programmers and drivers would like it to work. (Trying to move the emphasis so that drivers are first on that.) Just Thursday, Chris converted T1GGR (2016 Stronghold robot) from xbox to joystick, because of flaky controller behavior at Red Stick Rumble. So far, just bench tests have been performed (it was raining Thursday, and our current practice area is outside, though under somewhat of a cover). I think he also switched from a tank style control (two joysticks' parallel axes) to arcade style control.
Bkeeneykid
05-09-2016, 14:02
Like many others, we've used the Logitech joysticks for years, as well as a Thrustmaster T.Flight Stick X. This year, when one of our logitech joysticks started to crap out on us, we looked around, and decided on the Mad Catz Cyborg, mainly because our driver for the past two years has been left handed, so we wanted something that could accommodate both hands as opposed to our Thrustmaster for last year. We weren't really concerned about the lack of buttons, as we generally prefer to make our own labeled control box using the TI Launchpad included in the kit. We've been fairly happy with the Mad Catz joystick, and we plan on 3D printing something to bolt in onto the driver station board, as it doesn't have much weight. The front gray portion of the joystick is removable by two little pins in the bottom, so we'll replace that with something boltable.
cbale2000
05-09-2016, 14:53
703 has used both Joysticks and Logitech Gamepad controllers in the past. It varies by driver preference, though my personal opinion is that you get much finer control when using Joysticks.
We primarily use the MadCatz F.L.Y. 5. Forward and backward drive the robot fowards and backwards. Twisting turns the robot. When we use mecanum wheels, left and right strafe. We also utilize the throttle to change the range of the joystick to limit the max speed.
We have also used Logitech gamepad controllers in the past with both split arcade and tank drive. It usually just comes down to driver preference.
Our driver uses two joysticks to drive while our opporator uses an Xbox 360 controller.
SpaceBiz
06-09-2016, 12:36
Our driver uses two joysticks to drive while our opporator uses an Xbox 360 controller.
^
Same. This seems like a common thing to do.
tiernan12992
06-09-2016, 12:51
Though I am not entirely sure of what the controller is called (I am in class at the moment and don't really have it in front of me), it is sort of a PC controller. It behaves a lot like an Xbox 360 controller, but has a different layout in regards to button placement. Before that, we used two sort of flight-sticks that controlled like the joysticks on a controller.
notmattlythgoe
06-09-2016, 13:03
We've used PS4 controllers for the past few years.
2 Logitech Attack 3 joysticks for driving and one Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for mechanisms.
Anthony Galea
06-09-2016, 15:12
We used a Logitch F310 controller for the drivetrain and an Xbox 360 wired controller for all other functions of the robot.
We've used PS4 controllers for the past few years.
We tested out a DS3 controller with no luck. How were you able to get that working?
marshall
06-09-2016, 17:55
We've used PS4 controllers for the past few years.
For real? That work over USB without issue? Man, times have changed. The PS3 controller was a pain to get working.
Lil' Lavery
06-09-2016, 18:45
We've used PS4 controllers for the past few years.
Do you do anything to secure the USB cable? Or do accept the risk of the USB becoming unplugged? Or do you have a bluetooth solution, with the USB or other tether there simply to satisfy the rules?
Chris is me
06-09-2016, 19:29
How can this poll be missing the Logitech F310? This is probably the most ubiquitious gamepad in FRC. It's inexpensive, it doesn't have the horrible joystick zeroing issues of the Xbox 360 controller, the joysticks have good resolution, and the buttons are responsive. I've yet to see a gamepad I prefer for FRC.
natejo99
07-09-2016, 10:36
How can this poll be missing the Logitech F310? This is probably the most ubiquitious gamepad in FRC. It's inexpensive, it doesn't have the horrible joystick zeroing issues of the Xbox 360 controller, the joysticks have good resolution, and the buttons are responsive. I've yet to see a gamepad I prefer for FRC.
Team 74 has been using F310s for all robot functions for quite some time now. Definitely the best controller to use in my opinion. I was surprised to see it omitted in the poll as well.
dirtbikerxz
07-09-2016, 10:54
Team 74 has been using F310s for all robot functions for quite some time now. Definitely the best controller to use in my opinion. I was surprised to see it omitted in the poll as well.
I personally am against the F310. They are uncomfortable to hold. A xbox one controller is just plain better (although more expensive, especially if you have the elite version :P). But I would definitely recommend a normal xbox one controller any day.
Kingland093
07-09-2016, 21:56
4215 used the logitech Extreme for the drivetrain and a gamecube controller for our intake/manipulator mechanism.
Yes you read that right, you CAN use a Gamecube (even an N64) controller in FRC!!! It's not an original controller but it's from RetroLink and it looks like the original.
We got ours from ThinkGeek but idk if they still carry them. Try Amazon or ebay
Lil' Lavery
07-09-2016, 22:05
Why would anyone WANT to use a Gamecube or N64 controller? Those are two of the worst designed controllers in the history of gaming.
troy_dietz
07-09-2016, 23:11
Why would anyone WANT to use a Gamecube or N64 controller? Those are two of the worst designed controllers in the history of gaming.
The GameCube controller is widely considered to be one of the best controllers ever made. While it looks pretty weird, it's extremely comfortable (as long as your hands are reasonably human sized), the analogue sticks have nearly no deadband, and the triggers are analogue, but provide still tactile feedback when fully depressed. It also helps that one of the most competitively played videogames (SSB Brawl) happens to be a GameCube Game.
The N64 controller can go sit in a cardboard box for another 15 years.
dirtbikerxz
07-09-2016, 23:14
I think the main reason people (robotics "nerds") would want to use the game cube controller (I could be completely wrong here), is simply to say that they are using a game cube controller or n64 controller. Just to have that "novelty"
niklas674
07-09-2016, 23:17
I think the main reason people (robotics "nerds") would want to use the game cube controller (I could be completely wrong here), is simply to say that they are using a game cube controller or n64 controller. Just to have that "novelty"
If you want a true novelty controller, you must use a guitar hero guitar to control the robot...
Cothron Theiss
08-09-2016, 00:20
But I've also seen ...snip... a guitar hero guitar.
snip... a guitar hero guitar to control the robot...
Who did this, and where can I thank them? I would have loved to have seen this.
niklas674
08-09-2016, 00:57
Who did this, and where can I thank them? I would have loved to have seen this.
We had one in 2014 but it was never used during a comp. My apologies as I have no pictures or video of it.
troy_dietz
08-09-2016, 01:27
Who did this, and where can I thank them? I would have loved to have seen this.
Some teams mentioned using the guitar hero controllers here: https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97194
I think the main reason people (robotics "nerds") would want to use the game cube controller (I could be completely wrong here), is simply to say that they are using a game cube controller or n64 controller. Just to have that "novelty"
That would be if they used an NES or Atari Controller...which I must now do.
I did some usability testing on Microsoft's Sidewinder Strategic Commander, gaming device.
We used Crazy taxi as the testing game and the sound track was so addicting.
We tweaked the side vs rotational forces. It was a blast. Would like to get my hands on one and use it to control a robot. It has forward, backward, right and left twist, plus a bunch of function buttons. The only downside compared to the current crop of game controllers is that its designed to sit on a table.
Let me know if you have used this device.
http://netego.dk/wp-content/strategiccommander.jpg
https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-E06-00001-Sidewinder-Strategic-Commander/dp/B00005U21V
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