Thread: gyros
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Unread 24-06-2002, 02:35
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#0047 (ChiefDelphi)
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Pontiac, MI
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a great lesson to be learned from this...
Posted by Ken Leung at 03/20/2001 5:17 AM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: TechnoKats - Team 45 does the gyro thingy
Posted by Andy Baker on 03/19/2001 11:35 PM EST:



I think a lot of teams ought to pay attention to what Andy just said here...

"The trick is not only the software, but also traction (metal treads in our case) and power (2 drill motors and 2 fisher-prices)."

Usually the programmers are tempted in creating all these fancy programming trying to automate the function of the robot as much as possible.

However, many teams are still trusting the drivers to control the robot because they are able to take in the situation on the playing field, and perform a perfect movement from on the joysticks with their hands, and the joysticks send a clear signal to the robot and order it to perform certain tasks the drivers desire. While all those happened in a few seconds, a lot have been done and goals are met.

Control system is a really complicated subject within Mechanical Engineering... It takes precise mechanical system, as well as high-end electronics control to achieve high quality result...

Usually in the FIRST competition, because there are not enough sensors (electronics) to precisely measure the movement of the drive train, or the lack of quicker respond time from the gyro, or because of any imperfection in any drive train, automation in balancing the bridge is extremely hard...

So think twice before you design your robot. You want to take your time and figure out how exactly the robot should be controlled. Think about how much automation you want, and how much the drivers can handle. Then, design you components around those control requirements. Make sure it is easy for the drivers to use. Or else it is going to be really hard for the drivers to do anything with the robot.

They always say, a robot is only as good as the drivers are. Well, I think this saying should expand a bit more: A robot is only as good as it is controlled.



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