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Unread 04-04-2006, 08:28
Jack Jones Jack Jones is offline
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Re: Can Wireless Video Cameras Be Used?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
If on board cameras to internal media were mounted during competition matches, they should have been included in your robot weight. No matter what wireless frequency or modulation is used, the system must be cleared with FIRST before the competition. AND the main battery and the backup battery can be the only electrical power source on the robot.
<R51> The only legal main source of electrical energy on the robot is the 12VDC non-spillable lead acid battery
provided in the Kit of Parts. That 12V battery is the Exide type EX18-12. The ES18-12 battery, purchased
through your local Exide supplier as a spare, is identical and may also be used. You may use other equivalent
type 12V batteries, but only during the Thursday practice rounds.
The 7.2v “backup” battery is considered an integral part of the Robot Controller, and may not be used for any
other purpose.
If that is the way the rule is to be interpreted, then it is yet another example of how rules become needless roadblocks to creativity.

If an on-board camera, wireless or otherwise, is used to record and later promote a FIRST event, then where is harm or foul in it having a self contained battery? Those batteries would not be an adjunct to "the only legal main source of electrical energy." The rule is about integral parts of the robot; the ones that provide power and have direct impact on the competition. It is certainly a stretch to apply it to anything else.

The forward to the General Design & Safety Rules says:
“When reading these Rules, please use technical common sense (engineering thinking) rather than a lawyer’s interpretation. Try to understand the reasoning behind a rule.”


We could have them remove the AA batteries and use a custom designed supply that draws power from the the Exide. But what would be the purpose in that other than to make them lawyer their way into getting it done? It would, in fact, be contrary to this engineer's thinking in that it adds a frivolous layer of complexity.

I can see how we'd not want to see a bunch of C cells duct taped together to power some non-functional neon under glows; but to prohibit a few AAs in a palm sized DVD recorder makes no sense at all.

Last edited by Jack Jones : 04-04-2006 at 08:33.