Camera
 

Are there any particular cameras we are allowed to use on the robot or can we use any type? Thanks!

Re: Camera
 

It depends on the purpose -- if it is for the robot function (vision processing, putting image on driver station, etc.) then it must be <$400, have no internal battery (powered by main robot battery only) If it is not for robot function but just to record the match from the robot's POV, then it can have an internal battery, is not part of the budgetary constraints but is subject to inspector review for safety and such. For example, we had two GoPro Hero camera's on our bot at Lake Superior in Duluth, MN for this purpose so we could get videos like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2KIV...gF-ONANP3Sfl0=

Re: Camera
 

Searching the "The Robot" section of the 2012 game manual revealed two references to cameras.

The first is part of [R38]:
"The chassis for the cRIO and the supplied KOP camera have grounded enclosures. Under this rule (and for their protection), it is required that they be electrically isolated from the Robot frame when installed on the Robot."

not much there...

The second is [R67]
"Any decorations that involve broadcasting a signal to/from the Robot, such as remote cameras, must be approved by FIRST (via e-mail to frcteams@usfirst.org) prior to the event and tested for communications interference at the venue. Such devices, if reviewed and approved, are excluded from Rule [R55]."

My unofficial interpretation is that if you are using any network cameras other than the ones provided in the KOP, then you must clear them with FIRST. If you camera's are self-contained and just for the first person POV (as suggested above), then the decision on their legality is up to your Robot Inspector.

Re: Camera
 

We spent a bit of time looking into other cameras, but weren't able to find better ethernet cameras that weren't waaay beyond the cost limits. USB and Firewire offer some good options, but interfacing with the cRIO is extremely difficult and would probably require a custom solution. With the number of USB and Firewire options out there, I'm surprised NI doesn't have a module for these interfaces available.

In 2005 we used an Apple iSight wired to a standard motherboard on the robot running LabVIEW. This was before NI was involved in FIRST and the Toronto inspectors weren't able to find any reason to disqualify it under any custom circuits rule. Since it was only processing images and not directly controlling the robot, they didn't feel it violated the controller rule. Yes, it had a hard drive! Didn't work so well due to robot power fluctuations and our robot controller having little time left to talk to the motherboard.... However, that camera was quite good and not too expensive, but it was Firewire... Would love to use it again!