Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

When you said tape measure i instantly thought of a range finder, like what bow hunters and even golfers use to measure distances. It would be fairly quick and discrete and there would be less factors for human error

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

Your proposal is not inherently against the rules.

My understanding is the disable just disables the outputs. The program in the crio is still running. So you can have code that monitors the encoders, you just have to stick it the right place so it runs during disable. You could input the start point from the smart dashboard. You can even put a push button on one of the inputs on the robot to mark the zero point of where you start reading your encoders from. Nothing in G05 prevents this.

The only issue would be G07 if you take too much time. A little practice would prevent this.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

There are a lot of problems with the "move it after it's on" approach, and we can't be doing it.

The field will not wait for your robot to boot, then allow extra time for you to move your robot around.
That goes for positioning by encoders/cameras/gyro or anything that demands you wait for the robot to finish booting and connecting with the field before getting on with life.
The goal is to start the match the moment all robots are connected to the field.
Taking one minute more than absolutely necessary adds an hour to the length of a single event day.

We will be told when we can power-up/power-down our robots, we do not get to choose.
We are always told to start the robot after it's been placed on the field for safety reasons.
Occasionally, the FTA has the discretion to direct us to start the robot before coming onto the field, but that's for FTA reasons, not team reasons.

It's

1. get the robot on the field
2. turn it on
3. position it (if you have a gyro you have to position, then turn on, so it's especially important for teams with gyros to be able to position quicker than anyone else)
4. load frisbees
5. get off the field

All should be accomplished BEFORE the robot completes booting.

If there is a problem getting all the robots to connect with the field, then robots will be turned off and back on again, and you do NOT get extra time to re-position your robot to re-prepare your encoders.

Last year our drivers wanted to use the camera feedback to position our robot, but it really didn't work out.
The camera doesn't boot all that quickly, and when there was any issue that caused us to connect slowly or be restarted, then the camera image only appeared after we were all off the field and behind the lexan. The match typically started a moment after we saw the camera image on our driver station.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

The GDC has given us a number of navigational aids in the form of retro-reflective tape around the goals, a wall and a pyramid. You may want to find an FLL team in your area that knows how to use sensors and how to exploit the field elements and the robot's physical atributes (i.e. one that can do a large number of the tasks on the half of the field away from Base). They may be able to give you a fresh perspective on how to develop an autonomous mode strategy.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

Off topic I know but I think a lot of team's missed this rule change for this year....

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

Can we set any parameters at the start of the autonomous period? Or are we just allowed to change the mode from teleop to autonomous? We were thinking about setting up a few pre-programmed instructions based on our position around the pyramid. Actually, could someone clarify how exactly we're placed? I was under the impression that we had to be perpendicular to one side of the pyramid. Can we really place however we want as long as we're touching the pyramid?

Thanks

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

Clarification on exact placement: G05 says touching the pyramid. That is the only positional requirement.

You don't change the mode; FMS (the field system) takes care of that. There are ways to select between autonomous modes; I would suspect parameters can be changed as well.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

Really? I've heard FTAs recommending teams turn bots on at the end of the previous match, but I've never heard one insisting we leave a bot off till it's on the field. We've always turned our bot on well before we even step on the field to get the booting started so the radio is already booted and ready when we're on the field. It makes things run lots smoother and quicker, since the radio is the entire reason for the huge delay involved in a robot reboot. The radio takes a good 45-60 seconds to come up. The cRIO is usually up in 15-20 or so. Atleast that's about how long I estimate waiting whenever I warm boot the cRIO for programming purposes.

Anyways, I've never heard of FTAs requiring robots to be off, and I'm curious under what authority they'd do so. Is it the generic "Anything the FTA says goes" reasoning, or is there something in writing to back this up?

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

So I guess there's no way to set any initial parameters to direct our robot during autonomous? I guess the only control we get is what direction the robot faces. Do we also get to choose which position?

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

You and your alliance get to determine where your robot is placed and which direction it faces, just as long as it is touching your pyramid.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

You can set up config parms via your driver's station and/or by inputs (switches, whatever) on your robot. Manipulate the devices during set up, before you step back from your DS and/or as you're placing your robot on the field (or even before). Have your auto code read them first thing & act appropriately.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

The general reasoning is that it's safest to be unpowered while physically carrying the robot around, the same reason we power off before removing our robots from the field, so that falls under the safe operation practices and procedures.

FTA's usually only make requests like these when trying to investigate or address a problem, so that doesn't mean we can't power up in queue to pre-charge our pneumatics, drop in new code, or verify that things are working.
The field personnel may request robot's be turned on early, if matches are really falling behind, to get things moving.
I know as CSA I occasionally request that a particular team be allowed to remove their robot from the field while still powered up, so I can inspect the bridge logs that are lost in a power down. But I ask the FTA first. Things like that are their call.

A memorable past instance of one field request to Not turn robots on before coming onto the field was 2010 when the recommended replacement for the old black bridge caused all the black bridges to be thrown off the field network. There was a particular startup sequence that had to be followed.
Last year robots were running with unrestricted video feeds, sometimes pulling 15Mb/s. Robots had to be turned on in sequence so the culprits could be identified.

Re: Rule G05 and Autonomous
 

You could technically use a potentiometer, but the turn limit would mean it isn't applicable on the drivetrain. Unless you had a retractable wheel with the potentiometer on it, that then retracted when it was moved into optimal position.