2007 Robot Controller

[groves]

Innovation first has been out of robot controllers since before the end of last season. Does anyone have any clues to what might be involved with the new controller?

[Tom Bottiglieri]

If they are planning anything, its probably not major. I remember seeing mention somewhere of the RC being updated, but not redesigned.

[EHaskins]

You should search before you post. There have been many threads about this, but probably no big changes.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

If they are planning anything, its probably not major. I remember seeing mention somewhere of the RC being updated, but not redesigned.

I've heard the exact same thing.

[Tazlikesrobots]

I heard that the new controller will have the capability of using USB joysticks, and the radio receiver may be internal.

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by Tazlikesrobots

I heard that the new controller will have the capability of using USB joysticks, and the radio receiver may be internal.

I would have to doubt that they would make the radio internal especially since all of the radio communication goes through the competition port. Most of the upgrades will probably be fixing the bugs that teams found last year.

James

[chris31]

The current radios also arent that small. Unless they redesigned them i think it might be a little hard to get them on the RC board.

[bear24rw]

I wouldnt be suprised if they switched the programming port from DB-9 to a mini usb... i have a feeling that will probably be the only major design change...

I personally would enjoy seeing a radicle change but im not going to get my hopes up

[Joohoo]

Originally Posted by bear24rw

I wouldnt be suprised if they switched the programming port from DB-9 to a mini usb..

Ohh yeah That would be sweet seeing as that most laptops don't have serial ports anymore, and since when did you see a programmer working on a desktop in the pits?

[chris31]

Originally Posted by Joohoo

Ohh yeah That would be sweet seeing as that most laptops don't have serial ports anymore, and since when did you see a programmer working on a desktop in the pits?

USB would be nice. The team in the pit next to us at VCU brought a desktop. Personally I just prefer a laptop and USB to Serial adapter.

[EHaskins]

Originally Posted by Joohoo

Ohh yeah That would be sweet seeing as that most laptops don't have serial ports anymore, and since when did you see a programmer working on a desktop in the pits?

I saw one in Milwaukee, but I don't remember what team it was. USB programming would be nice.

[Andrew Blair]

I agree that integrating the radio can be done- there's buttloads of space in that box- but I don't think it will be done. The modems we use are not strictly for FIRSTs use, and IFI would either need a special order for a card type mount, or integration onto a reletively cramped board- something that requires quite a bit of work for, as Billfred said, a low volume product. But it could be done.

In my opinion, the only changes to the brain will be a firmware update. They just replaced the PIC (Which is software- the chips are the same size- pin count etc. I believe), they have a nice supplementary income from broken serial connectors .

But, I would like to see the USB programming support. There isn't a computer that can be used for programming that doesn't have USB support- the only problem is the addition of even more control hardware. PIC's, pull-ups, etc.

[Stuart]

Im willing to bet that the radio stuff will happen(tazlikesrobots has a nack for these things), also willing to bet that USB support will finally be added. . also going out on a limb and saying that the camera will be different/better(they show out of stock).

but hey what do I know.

[Gdeaver]

IFI will probably never incorporate a radio into the RC because of FCC issues. They may incorporate a FCC precertified module with and external antenna. This would be a significant cost savings. I think ZIGBEE would be a good fit however the technology needs a little maturing. Actually the are some Zigbee modules that could replace the operator interface.

[bear24rw]

I don't really think that the radios will change... i'm not sure if i would like the radio to beinside the RC.. it seems like it wouldnt get reception, but if it does and it works consistantly then i would defiently prefer that. As far as USB programming Parallax has done it and I have a feeling that IFI is going to follow suit..

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28850

Hopefully IFI will supprise us this year