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Unread 25-11-2011, 09:07
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Re: 3D Mouse: SpaceNavigator

It's not the context of this thread, but this controller looks like something that would be great for precisely controlling a robot that has multiple degrees of freedom. We tried to set up the most intuitive control system possible for our 5-dof underwater robot using a gamepad type controller and it was just short of a nightmare to drive smoothly. This kind of input would have made it much easier to control. It looks ideal for swerve/omni FRC drivetrains as well, since it's not as cumbersome as a 3-axis joystick.

As an interface for CADing, I don't think I would get much out of it. The ability to click/move a mouse with one hand and use shortcuts with the other already makes work very efficient, and as Cory mentioned you can already do the same navigation movements using mouse wheel/shortcut keys. Still wouldn't mind trying it out though!
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