Autonomous, Tele-Op, Hybrid, confusing
 

One thing that's bugged me and I've never seen discussed are these terms we use --- Autonomous, Tele-Operated and Hybrid.

In the interest of making the games more accessible to the general public, FIRST has reduced complexity of rules, make it look like a familiar game, (basketball, soccer, etc.). It seems these terms ought to be replaced with something easier to understand.

I suspect "Hybrid" will give some uninitiated the impression that these robots operate on a combination of gas/electric ! Tele-operated is pretty obscure to many as well.

How about:

Tele-operated--> Driver controlled mode or perhaps just Remote Control mode.

Autonomous --> Self driving mode (ala Google's self driving car)

Hybrid --> Microsoft Kinect controlled mode (or similar term based on particular technology in use.)

I think this would make a lot more sense for visitors in the stands and those watching on webcast/TV.

It doesn't help of course that the traditional meaning of "Robot" in sci-fi and such has usually implied fully autonomous.

Re: Autonomous, Tele-Op, Hybrid, confusing
 

Here's a previous thread on this topic: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=56964

Re: Autonomous, Tele-Op, Hybrid, confusing
 

I personally think that making those terms different would be a problem to society because the average highschool graduate should understand

Autonmous- Automation (prefix Auto meaning self doing)
Tele-Operated- Connection-operating (Prefix Tele meaning bridging or connection)

Also in previous years Hybrid wasn't used with kinect it just meant 3rd person control. So Hybrid originally meaning a combo of two geno or pheno types somewhat makes sense seeing that its combining automation with connection operating.

Re: Autonomous, Tele-Op, Hybrid, confusing
 

Actually... This is only the second year that Hybrid has been used. The other was 2008, with an IR sensor on the robot that could be controlled by a RoboCoach. 2003-2007 and 2009-2011 were Autonomous. 2008 and 2012 were Hybrid (where teams could run Autonomous if they wanted to).