[FTC]: New Android Control System

[DavisDad]

We're excited about next year's new control system. I'm starting this thread to assemble information about the "Qualcomm® Snapdragon" based smartphone platform. We were a rookie team in the 2014/2015 season and had just begun learning the NXT/RobotC/Textrix systems.

I personally, am not at all disappointed to put NXT behind us. My role as FTC mentor has been mainly mechanical engineering and fabrication support, but I have worked with the NXT controls and programming enough to understand the limitations. I'm excited about First's decision to move to a more sophisticated platform where we won't be tied to RobotC, Tetrix and Matrix proprietary systems. I'm hoping FTC goes to a fully open system where we can use available evolving robotics technologies independent of HiTech, Lego, RobotC sellers.

So... here's information I've assembled so far:

http://simhardware.org//img/FTC 2015...cr 22mar15.pdf

While waiting for further details of the hardware/software specs later this month, I'd like to look into "Qualcomm® Snapdragon" hardware and the programming platforms. If anyone would like to post here (or link to) their work, it would be much appreciated.

[DavisDad]

The following is a screenshot of the "TecTalk" video posted on YouTube.com:

FTC Tech Talk: Platform Presentation



I've seen very little posted on the internet about the "Modern Robotics Inc" modules. So... I'll focus on the Android phone capabilities until more info is available. I've looked at "MIT App Inventor" and "Android Studio" programming platforms. App Inventor is a graphical programming language and Android Studio is a big programming language based on "Java". I played with App Inventor, but I'm old school and came up through Fortran77, Basic... C++ text based systems and will spend my time with the Android Studio application.

After taking a peek at the programming stuff, I'd like to "look under the hood" of the ""Qualcomm® Snapdragon" Android device. The CPU (chipset) looks like a full blown computer ; cool!


I'm off into computer hardware morass of techie gobbley-gook. Any help from the pros would be much appreciated...

[DavisDad]

I've set up an "Qualcomm Developer Network" account where they have a robot design using their system:

"Robots powered by Snapdragon processors leverage technologies working together to make robots smarter and more efficient. The Snapdragon Micro Rover is a simple design that garners lots of power and intelligence. It’s powered by a smartphone with a Snapdragon processor, is easily printed on a 3D printer and has a forklift that allows the robot to manipulate its world."

After setting up an account, I was able to download files, one of which is a PDF detailing how to build the Micro Rover. It's mostly 3D printer stuff, but has info on I/O as well.

[DavisDad]

Poking around the "Qualcomm Developer Network" website, I found DragonBoard 410c page:

"Coming Summer 2015

The DragonBoard™ 410c will be the first development board based on a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 series processor. It features advanced processing power, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS, all packed into a board the size of a credit card. Based on the 64-bit capable Snapdragon 410 processor, the DragonBoard 410c is designed to support rapid software development, education and prototyping, and is compliant with the 96Boards Consumer Edition specification. All this makes it ideal for enabling embedded computing and Internet of Everything (IoE) products, including the next generation of robotics, cameras, medical devices, vending machines, smart buildings, digital signage, casino gaming consoles, and much more."

The link in the text above has a specification document Low Cost Hardware Platform Specification with details of platform functionality.

NOTE: I don't know what Snapdragon series FTC will use, I just picked 400 series for research

[DavisDad]

Jumping around here...

Found what looks like a good tutorial on intro to Java:

Hello, World!

[DavisDad]

Maybe we'll be able to do this:

"Snapdragon Cargo"

[DavisDad]

Found this:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Processors Power Student Robotics Competition

[astroman31]

I am confused at what Android devices we will need to purchase. The videos show a simple cell phone. Is there something specific they want us to use? It would be handy to have something small and compact for the robot side, with a larger controller device for the driver station.

Is there a specific product FIRST has in mind for these?

[DavisDad]

The control system will be, at a minimum, two (2) cell phones. I'm not sure if FTC will only allow us to use one model, or if we'll be able to use other type phones, tablets and the development boards available.

I'm hoping we'll be able to use any Qualcomm® Snapdragon devices compatible w/ FTC required hardware (power mod, motor control mod, etc...)

[DavisDad]

Cool stuff:

Robot Operating System Running on Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Processor

Robot Operating System (ROS)

Web Robotics

ROS: Three Years

ROS on Android

Quadrocopter Autonomous Flight (test) - Vicon + ROS + Android Tablet

Rhoeby hexapod ROS-based Navigation

[DavisDad]

Qualcomm announces:

Student robotics competition heats up in Shanghai

[zajacik]

I have been maintaining a somewhat organized webpage on my Mississippi Robotics website to accumulate all I can find to help all of us with the new FTC hardware platform and programming. Enjoy and I hope you come up to speed quickly and smoothly. Everyone is being so helpful. It is good to see.

http://mississippirobotics.org/ftc-f...ech-challenge/

Ray

[DavisDad]

Originally Posted by zajacik

I have been maintaining a somewhat organized webpage on my Mississippi Robotics website to accumulate all I can find to help all of us with the new FTC hardware platform and programming. Enjoy and I hope you come up to speed quickly and smoothly. Everyone is being so helpful. It is good to see.

http://mississippirobotics.org/ftc-f...ech-challenge/

Ray

Nice webpage Ray, thanks!

[DavisDad]

Intelitek released new technology training modules for FTC: Sign up page

The specification page for the Android phone list more phones: 2015/16 FTC Control System Android Device specifications

[emmell]

Originally Posted by DavisDad

The specification page for the Android phone list more phones: 2015/16 FTC Control System Android Device specifications

This is true, however the only phone that will probably be allowed for U.S. teams will be the ZTE Speed at least for this first year. This is due to the WiFi Direct channel changing capability.