Quote:
Originally posted by wysiswyg
Just a question but do you mean you guys couldn't have programmed a completely autonomous robot until now using the ifi system???
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It was possible before, it just wasn't mandated.
There are a lot of variables needed to be known in programming an autonomous robot. One of the more helpful variables is time. The robot contoller has no reliable method of telling time, or difference of time, except that data is sent
at minimum every 25ms. Sometimes it may take longer depending on the size and complexity of the code. Basically this means that 25ms or more passes between looping the execution.
Another variable is position. The need for this can vary based on the game. With the parts available from last years game, you could tell the position of the robot
in relation to something else with the IR sensors. You could also tell the changing vertical angle of the robot with the gyro (up a ramp or down a ramp). You could also buy $100 parts and make some useful tools such as: a tachometer, a directional compass, acceleration detector, photoelectric distance measuring (up to 1.5m), magnetic material detection, and proximity sensing (including ultrasonic).
However, the parts tended to be rather expensive enough that often times only one of these devices could be built with the materials given. Especially with the tachometer, which would require a separate microprocessor since the included stamp processor is rather imprecise.
If they do mandate automation this year, more gadgetry, or at least a timer, will be needed to do it precisely. Unless they are only concerned with position in relation to other objects.
Sure, the retroreflective tape is nice... but it's not very realistic. I mean, how often does a survivor under 2 tons of rubble have retroreflective tape strapped to their back??? How many rocks on Mars have retroreflective tape on them???