Re: pic: Game hint
 

I can just see robots with polycarbonate "banners" like we had on our robot last year with nylon cloth.

-vivek

Re: pic: Game hint
 

We've tried both before and after cycling the power on the IR board, but get no response whatsoever after the learning sequence ends normally. We tested with more than a dozen different remote manufacturers, including universal remotes.

I'm pretty sure our board is defective, but don't have a way to definitively test or prove it one way or another. We need a board from another local team, to prove the remotes work. The board's learning sequence indicates it likes some remotes, doesn't like others, and was unresponsive only to one old remote (not surprising).

Re: pic: Game hint
 

IR = International Relations? Think about it.

I definitely think the wire is the hint and the sensor is a normal component. The wires are too small to be soldered. The connector wires are a rainbow. Let's follow that rainbow to the pot of gold!!!

*note* A rainbow is in an arc... could this mean a trajectory of a flying object or a round game piece.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

What about having one "control" bot that sends a signal to the other alliance bots, like something to program them or tell them about a certain element on the field?

Even if we haven't got the transmitter yet, remember that last year's hint was only a very small PART of the scoring system...

By the way, we are a team in Southern NH, and we got it today. I don't know about the e-mail, but as far as I can tell it's legit.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Well we could be firing something across the "pond".. (pond being the Atlantic Ocean.. one alliance being the "American" side.. the other alliance being the "European" side...) with the possibility of a water (or IR) "obstacle" in the middle/in certain areas... would provide a serious set of risks though (using the water) but oh well..

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Or they just used rainbow ribbon cable to make it easier for people when it comes time to crimp pins onto the wire to connect it to the robot controller/whatever output it may go to. On small 20- or 22-gauge wire like that, it's a lot easier to use color coding than to attempt to label individual wires.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

but FIRST is sneaky like that to make you think "hey this wire is a symbol, and then go wait no it isn't" and then BAM it is!

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Just thought I'd let everyone know that after having the board for 1 day... It broke today. :eek:



But It's ok, seems that the 5v voltage regulator died. I replaced it, and now it works fine again. :D

So, if anyone's boards die... check the 5v regulator.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Has anyone in the Pacific Northwest received this "gift?" No one from the teams I have spoken to has, and our team certainly has not.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

My team got it this morning, I'll post hi-res photos for everyone tomorrow when I get a chance to look at it again, and thanks for all the info in this thread :)

Re: pic: Game hint
 

We got our chip today and were playing with it. We found it had around a 50' range for us. But with a lens, the range can be extended to well across the length of the playing field. If they will be using the the board as-is, then I don't foresee a target past midfield if a driver/human player were to be using a remote to somehow effect the game.

Re: pic: Game hint
 

AndyB, was that 50ft range with or without the lense. And how did you have that lense setup/what type of lense

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Didn't use a lense... Didn't try a lense. Just saying...

Re: pic: Game hint
 

Bananas bend ...





.
(whatever that dot means)

Re: pic: Game hint
 

The problem with using a lens is that it has a focal length. The further away from that length you are (both closer or farther) the more defocused you get. Any single lens that gives you IR visability across the field will be out of focus up close (and may not be detectable). A zoom lens coupled with an PID circuit could allow you to focus at any length.