Aiming that remote: Laser pointer allowed?

[efoote868]

My question: Are you allowed to fix a laser to your remote, to help guide where you're pointing it? I haven't seen anything in the rules specifically prohibiting it, however FIRST does seem opposed to laser radiation.

<G16> Alignment devices (laser pointers) that are not part of the robot may not be used with positioning the robot

-I'm not aligning the robot, and its not used to position the robot at the start of the match


<R02> ROBOT parts shall not be made from hazardous materials, be unsafe, or cause an unsafe condition. Items specifically prohibited from use on the robot include:
...
lasers of any type

-I don't want to put a laser on the robot.

<R65> SIGNALING DEVICES shall be designed to communicate signals from the ROBOCOACH to he ROBOT. SIGNALING DEVICES are excluded from rule<R64>. SIGNALING DEVICES SHALL:
-be hand held and completely supportedby the ROBOCOACH when operated
...

Active SIGNALING DEVICES shall:
-use visible light, infrared communication, or sound as the transmission method - no other form of electro-magnetic radiation is permitted
b. All laser-based communications by any device classified by the U.S. Departmet of Labor Occupatinal Safety and Heallth Administration (OSHA) as a laser are explicitly prohibited.
c. All communications must satisfy Rule <S01>

-I'm not looking to communicate to the robot with the laser. I'm just looking for help aiming my remote. I'm not looking to transmit anything to the robot with the laser.

<S01> If at any time a ROBOT's operation or design is deemed unsafe, it will receive a PENALTY and be disabled for th remainder of the MATCH. If the safety violation is due to te ROBOT design, the Head Referee has the option to not allow the ROBOT back onto the TRACK until the design has been corrected. An example of unsafe operation would be uncontrolled motion that cannot be stopped by the drivers.


So - those are all the relevant rules I could find. I looked through the FIRST Forums, and found these questions

- http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=475&highlight=laser
-GDC doesn't want anything to interfere with the other human players. That Isn't my goal, but I understand their concern. If this is the reason, I understand (but I don't agree with it).

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=228&highlight=laser
which is the closest to my question, but isn't exactly it.

I don't have my team's password to ask, so if anyone would please ask it, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also any input is appreciated.
(And I'm aware that a CD post doesn't constitute as, its allowed.)
I'm going to speak with the head referee tomorrow at St. Louis Regional, and see what he says (but a universal answer from the GDC would be better).

[Daniel Bathgate]

I'd have to say no. Lasers are the anti-safety goggles when it comes to eyes at competitions, and have been explicitly banned for use on the robot and as a signaling device. Although you may have found a loophole in the rules you just listed, FIRST's attitude towards focused beams of coherent light seems quite clear.

[David Brinza]

I'm not really sure why you need a laser pointer to aim the IR remote. The IR beam "cone" is broad enough that just pointing "over there" should suffice.

Unless you've added some IR optics to narrow the beam for longer-range control. (A standard IR remote should be good for 30-40 feet, maybe more.)

[bduddy]

It may be technically allowed in the rules, but I doubt the referees are going to let you bring a laser pointer and use it during the match. They could cite S01 if you complained, but honestly, it's really not a great idea anyway.

[Mark McLeod]

The Refs held up the start of a match in NJ, because someone in the audience was flashing a laser pointer around. An announcement was made to stop it, and they waited a few minutes to be sure the request was complied with.

[Mr. Freeman]

MY PREDICTION is that the official response from the GDC will be "No laser pointers, period".

If you want a way to aim the remote then get a paper towel tube and tape it to the remote. Look down the tube towards the robot to aim it. For more accuracy, get a sheet of paper and roll it into a tube with a smaller diameter, tape that to the remote. You could test and calibrate either method with a laser pointer at home or in the shop, then just draw some marks on the remote for future alignment should the tube ever come off.

[Joe Ross]

I think <T22> precludes the use of a laser pointer or almost anything else to help the robo-coach.


<T22> The only equipment that may be brought on to the field is the OPERATOR CONSOLE, reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the ROBOCOACH, are prohibited.
Devices used solely for the purpose of planning or tracking strategy of game play are allowed inside the ALLIANCE ZONE, if they meet ALL of the following conditions:
* Do not connect or attach to the OPERATOR CONSOLE
* Do not connect or attach to the FIELD or ARENA
* Do not connect or attach to another alliance member
* Do not communicate with anything or anyone outside of the ALLIANCE ZONE (for example wireless communications must be disabled).
* Do not in any way affect the outcome of a MATCH, other than by allowing team members to plan or track strategy for the purposes of communication of that strategy to other alliance members.

[efoote868]

I talked with the Head Referee at St. Louis. He didn't have a problem with it, as long as I didn't use it maliciously.
Thanks for pointing out T22. I missed that in my initial search.

I'm still going to ask the Q & A.

[DonRotolo]

- http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=475&highlight=laser
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=228&highlight=laser

Both are answers from 2006, and are completely irrelevant here.

If you want an official answer, you must get it from the Q&A forum - no post on CD, even by someone on the GDC, is "official".

If the paper tube idea is no good, how about, erm, a flashlight?

Don

[Elgin Clock]

The Refs held up the start of a match in NJ, because someone in the audience was flashing a laser pointer around. An announcement was made to stop it, and they waited a few minutes to be sure the request was complied with.
Hahaha! That's because a team was handing them out in the pits as a giveaway (which was cool) but definitely counter-productive with this year's game as to how someone could use them.

That would be someone handing out "free middle fingers" as opposed to "free hugs" at first competitions. Just a bad thing to do, & while their isn't a specific rule against either, it would be frowned upon by pure common sense. :p

Hopefully teams are advised in the next update to NOT hand out laser pointers in the pits (or middle fingers for that matter.) lol