Controller Station
 

Rookie team here looking for inspiration on a controller station.

We got the rookie kit of:
netbook
Xbox controller
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

Not sure if we'll pick up extra joysticks or anything yet (very low budget this year)

We are using a tank style control but the xbox controller is kinda tough to finesse.

Any ideas or pictures will be welcome to get the creative juices going.

Also, I don't remember what it said in the rule book, but can you reuse the stations each year?

Re: Controller Station
 

Robo Hamsters (4466) typically uses the Logitech F310 Gamepad (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2064.htm) for our driver combined with a custom button box for our "Gunner".

The Logitech controller works very well for Tank drive and has a very natural feel to it.

Re: Controller Station
 

With a single joystick or the xbox controller, an "arcade" style setup (already in WPIlib; just declare and initialize it with your axes and motors) usually works better than a "tank" controller, since "tank" requires two equal joysticks to feel right.

At least in recent years, there have not been any restrictions about reusing a custom-fabricated driver station from one year to the next. But who knows; more change is coming next year! We have built a wooden stand for the clam shell that engages with the fasteners on the table behind the alliance wall, but otherwise I believe our competition driver stations have been all COTS.

Re: Controller Station
 

We usually use 2 Logitech Attack 3s for driver control and a Xbox 360 controller for operator control.

Re: Controller Station
 

Tank drive (controlling one side of the robot with each joystick) is often hard to drive, regardless of what controller is used. See this thread for some other ways to control your drivetrain.

Re: Controller Station
 

If I'm not mistaken I think you are referring to what to house the operator console in?

First off, yes you are allowed to use the same operator console every year.

We built our own housing container made from aluminum. It's very simple, it's essentially just and aluminum box with a trey that slides out of it which holds the computer. We mounted the joysticks on top of the box. we also have a USB hub because it neatens things up a little bit. All the wires are in the box and the laptop slides in with the trey during travel and easily slides out when it's time to compete. For a cheap solution with some scrap aluminum it serves it purpose and is durable.

Re: Controller Station
 

We used 80-20 for our drivers station for a few years, we found it was heavy and messy. We designed an aluminum tray to put the classmate and 2 Xbox controllers on. It is very easy to carry around since it can be held like a briefcase. It was simple to fabricate and is really organized. I can give you designs and photos if you would like.
http://i.imgur.com/Pbe4wcr.jpg?2

The best method we have found is what we call "halo" drive...speed forward/reverse on the right stick and turning left/right on the other
Offers the driver much more control and no drive straight code required

Re: Controller Station
 

A good idea is looking to video games for answers. The video game industry has spent million designing controls for their games. If you want to try tank drive you could use the trigger buttons as you left and right side.