Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
So here is my list...
1. Out of the box it has to work for rookies running default software or at least is easily loaded with default software without any other programming in less than one half hour.
2. Can control Jags or Victors, Spikes or whatever control devices someone wants to include to drive motors and such.
3. Can run down to 4 volts input.
4. Has imbedded wireless controls of some sort.
5. Has sufficient software power to process sensors, cameras, etc. and development includes C++, Java, Labview or any other development software in general use.
6. Has at least a serial port and an ethernet port, several would be ideal.
7. Has sufficient I/O for at least 8 or 16 PWM, relay, solenoid, digital and analog ports and/or can be simply expanded for the I/O needed (i.e. plugin modules).
8. I/O is easily accomplished without sophisticated tooling.
9. Is a mature product or product line available to all teams, domestic and foreign.
10. Always of interest is something that is low cost, or is manufactured by a company interested in donating sufficient quantities to help our teams keep costs low.
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*cough*
http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/.../217-2180.html
*cough*
It has everything on your list except CAN and Ethernet. However, it DOES have a USB host port (which should also be on your list), so adding Ethernet is trivial (or better yet, use USB devices like cameras instead of Ethernet - they're cheaper). I'm sure there's some USB->CAN device out there, or someone could make one. Best of all, it's made by a manufacturer with a proven track record.
Solutions to this issue clearly exist (or are at least a lot closer than what FIRST has now). I don't think this is a technological problem, however.