[jvriezen]

One thing that's bugged me and I've never seen discussed are these terms we use --- Autonomous, Tele-Operated and Hybrid.

In the interest of making the games more accessible to the general public, FIRST has reduced complexity of rules, make it look like a familiar game, (basketball, soccer, etc.). It seems these terms ought to be replaced with something easier to understand.

I suspect "Hybrid" will give some uninitiated the impression that these robots operate on a combination of gas/electric ! Tele-operated is pretty obscure to many as well.

How about:

Tele-operated--> Driver controlled mode or perhaps just Remote Control mode.

Autonomous --> Self driving mode (ala Google's self driving car)

Hybrid --> Microsoft Kinect controlled mode (or similar term based on particular technology in use.)

I think this would make a lot more sense for visitors in the stands and those watching on webcast/TV.

It doesn't help of course that the traditional meaning of "Robot" in sci-fi and such has usually implied fully autonomous.