Quote:
Originally Posted by 1075guy
1075 did this at GTR on Saturday in 48's absence (we missed you guys!) and I think it was really good. The problem is that people don't pay attention and then someone accidentally runs over their toes or something... how is startling you to awareness unsafe?
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There isn't an actual need for anyone except those in your way (read: people within 1-2ft of the front and sides of your cart) to actually be aware that your robot is coming through. Shouting is overkill, because there are large numbers of people in earshot who are probably trying to concentrate on sawing/drilling/programming/scouting/strategy. Particularly for those people engaged in tasks that may be dangerous if they don't pay full attention to the task at hand, it can negatively impact safety. Most teams I've been on have managed to just politely tap people on the shoulder or say "excuse me" to get through the pits. If everyone did safety wardens, then the pits would have a constant flow of people shouting "robot coming through", resulting in nobody being sure where the robots were and leaving everyone cowering in fear.
Good intentions, poor implementation.
Improved idea: use an old robot controller, a braking mechanism, and sensors to detect when you're about to run over someone's toe. Apply the brakes or simply make the person moving the cart aware with a flashing light or noticeable (but not obnoxious) noise. A simple example would be to hook an old RC to old motors on each wheel. If a toe-like obstruction is detected, switch the victors from coast to brake. It would allow the cart to get over obstacles, but would make the cart driver aware through increased resistance.