Quote:
Originally posted by Joe Johnson
Of course, it would have been better to have a workable, more hack proof system in place prior to kickoff but we have to play the cards we have been dealt.
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I agree but I don't think there is such a thing as a "hack proof" system. At the same time, some are definitely easier to crack than others. The best defence is not to make a system hack proof but rather to make hacking easily detectable and more trouble than it is worth. I think that is what this rule does. I doubt our current control system had hack resistance as an original design consideration, particularly in autonomous mode.
So for now we may be stuck with a less than optimal solution. Hopefully next year's system will be more resistant to manipulation during the human player and automode segments. But for now we have to deal with what we have.
I think the safety issue has been blown way out of proportion. The rule states that the line is 3' from the backwall. The shelf is a 1'x1" board. If you center the stick on your control unit on the board, you will have to cross a whole 2.5 feet to reach it. My arms are about 3ft long and I can reach the controls if my toes are right on the line. The required separation is enough to make any attempt to manipulate the controls clearly visible. It is also close enough that the E-stop is easily reachable if needed.
Just be careful when you start jumping around in excitement not to cross the line. If you're really that concerned, have your drivers stand at attention with their toes on the line through the entire autonomous period. Of course, finding somebody who can actually do that might be the hard part.
