[Joe Ross]

Last year, many people had trouble updating the firmware on the DS (you needed a "magic" flash drive to get it to work). This year updating should be trivial.

Last year, many people had issues with ESD damaging the DS. As the classmate was designed as a consumer device, it shouldn't have any ESD issues. Hopefully the same can be said about the add-on boards.

Last year, the DS took time to boot. Since the classmate has a battery, you should be able to have it booted long before you reach the field.

Last year, you couldn't tether the robot on the field without access to AC power for the DS. Since the classmate has a battery, that shouldn't be an issue.

Last year, FIRST had to deal with Kwikbyte for firmware updates. Since it looks like a LabVIEW application, that shouldn't be an issue.

Last year, you couldn't use an Xbox 360 controller. Presumably, that wouldn't be an issue with the classmate.


Overall, I heard a lot of dissatisfaction with the DS last year. This is FIRST's way of addressing that dissatisfaction. If the DS wasn't really so bad last year, I hope that people will think twice about complaining about anything and everything, because the result might just be worse.