Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

We are running short on time and as a rookie team we need help with programming. Any help is great thanks.::rtm::

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Which template are you using? SampleRobot, IterativeRobot, or Command-Based? If you are using Command-Based it is pretty easy, compared to the other formats.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Last year I was surprised at how few robots at two regionals even tried to do autonomous. You got a few points just by moving yourself into the auto zone, and this year's game is similar - if you can get yourself to reach a defense, you will earn points. Reaching a defense can be as simple as "drive forward 6 feet". This should not be beyond the grasp of any team.

The simplest way is something called dead reckoning. Your software just fires the motors blindly for a set amount of time. For example, if you fire the drive motors at, say, 50% speed for 1.5 seconds, your robot should travel X number of feet. I say "should" because you have no sensor feedback to confirm that the robot moved where you hoped it would. It's like driving blindfolded. But it's a starting point. Measure how far it actually travels and adjust the timing and power levels to hit the speed and distance that you want.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

2014 might be a better example. Last year, you got 0 points just by moving unless both of your partners could do the same. With teams stealing canisters and the need to stay out of the way of 3-tote autons, it often wasn't worth it. We had a number of different auton programs that all worked, but I believe we ended CMP with exactly 0 auton points.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Yep, this is going to be a good bet for a lot of teams. Drive forward into the defense and if you make it over you get points and if you only hit it or straddle it you still get points. Sit there like a potato and you get nothing. Don't be a potato.

It's ded (short for deduced) reckoning by the way.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

We are planning on using a NavX, ultrasonic sensors, and some very basic vision to try and score a goal in autonomous. Will this be enough to have it consistently score a low or high goal each time? We haven't messed with encoders so we really don't have enough time now.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Autonomous points were negligible last year unless you could do everything yourself. Also the auto zone was very small so getting completely in the zone reliably was difficult for many teams.

This year we will see more attempts at auto because it is worth more and teams will be able to score points independently of partners.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Can you post a little more info? Are you using Java, labview, or C++? What are you thinking is achievable for your team?

I'm happy to help via PMs or skype. We'll be at Alamo and if you don't have anything by then I can stop by your pit (most likely) to help at least get an autonomous mode that drives forward. But it'll be easier to help if I know what language you're using

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

IMHO: "Basic Vision" - No.

Except for the low bar, crossing a defense introduces a lot of uncertainty on where you end up. You will need more than "basic vision" and NavX to figure out where you are to shoot a high goal.

NavX can get you close (+/- 0.5 meters after 7 seconds). Who knows how much NavX will be thrown off by all the bumping over the Defense. Then use Vision to find the goal and figure out what you have to do to get to a shooting position.

If you want to score the low goal, then you need to drive up to the wall (note: the ultrasonic sensor has a minimum distance of 12 inches), turn, and then drive some more. I have no idea how easy it is to find the low goal with the ultrasonic sensor (low goal may be at an angle, and has a big hole in it).

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Use Smart Dashboard to set the amount of Time to energize the drive motors during autonomous. Maybe even the power level. Determine in advance your parameters for each defense. Once you know which defense you will be going over, the Driver sets the parameter while the robot is being placed on the field.

Your Autonomous will then read in those values, and execute a straight drive for that many seconds at the desired power level.

At a minimum, you should get "reach" points. If you are successful in crossing, then you will get crossing points.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

DON'T!!!

/end joke

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

We are using labview and I will talk to my mentor about it.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

Well that means we have a chance because we(as well as 90 percent of the CD community) are going under the low bar. I don't expect to hit the high goal every time, but if we get at least three or four in a regional, I would be satisfied.

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

What happens if you have an alliance where all the robots can only do low bar for autonomous?

Re: Easiest way to program autonomous?
 

I agree with GreyingJay about just "blind firing" your motors. Simply follow the template provided in the autonomous independent.vi that is generated by default. There are still about 19 days left until bag 'n tag, plenty of time to write a quality autonomous program. Even after bag 'n tag if you have a second chassis built that runs similarly to your robot in the bag you can program it. Just add weight to that second chassis until it is about equal to your competition robot.

If you need anything feel free to PM me, I would be glad to help.