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Unread 11-04-2011, 15:24
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wireties wireties is offline
Principal Engineer
AKA: Keith Buchanan
FRC #1296 (Full Metal Jackets)
Team Role: Mentor
 
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Re: Autonomy: How Did You Guys Do It?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremypg399 View Post
I was told by several older members and mentors to abandon the use of sensors altogether because of our history with sensors. Essentially, don't use them because we've never used them. What I thought was hilarious about this discussion was that half of these guys were mechanical, and couldn't tell between a potentiometer and an encoder.
Man, that is some questionable advice!

We used encoders on all 4 wheels, a pot on the arm and an ultrasonic sensor on the front and rear. Our bot simple rolled forward X feet (measured by the encoders), raised the arm to the 9' height (measured by the pot), released the ubertube and backed off some. We used the ultrasonic sensors to align for minibot deployment.

Reliable sensors are a HUGE advantage in autonomous mode and can be used to automate certain movements in teleop mode (like releasing a tube and lowering an arm in perfect sequence). If you understand them, program them correctly and test them thoroughly - USE THE SENSORS!

HTH