starting/ending robot configuration

[Japper]

Once a match is over, I am under the assumption that all robots are disabled per their connection to the field via the competition port on the OI.

Last year, we found our robot to be left in several different positions (based on its last action before being disabled) other than the compact starting position making it difficult (at times) to gather up the robot and cart it off the field and back to the pit.

Is there a way to have a button connected to the RC or some sort of a way to set the robot to its starting configuration without having an OI tethered or without radio control from the OI?

Thanks

[adamm]

Well, in order for the RC to activate your User Code, AN OI MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE RC. The only way to be able to control the robot to move back to its home position would be to connect an OI.

You could solve this by installing a button on your robot via a digital input, then just connecting a spare OI with a tether Cable. (The robot shouldn't move, but it depends on how you have the robot programmed.) Now, in your code, have the robot return to is 'home' position ONLY when the button is pressed. If that button is placed properly, it shouldn't activate during a match.

You could store the OI and tether on your cart and when you are done with the match, grab the two things, run out to the robot, plug it in, and press the button.

This is all theoretical, but it should work.

[Sunshine]

The only rule that I see that addresses this:

Arena Reset - ROBOTS must be designed to permit the release and removal of any TRACKBALLS from the ROBOT without being powered up after a MATCH. If a ROBOT violates this rule, the offending TEAM will be warned and requested to modify the ROBOT. If the modification is not made, the ROBOT may not be permitted to compete in future MATCHES.


Last year as a rookie team we had to tether our robot at the completion of every match to get the lifts back up. We were questioned at the first regional but were told that if we could do it very quickly we would be okay. We practiced and ended up being fine at both the regional and national competition.

Would we do this again, no

But if all else fails and you can show that you are not holding up the next match, I believe you should be fine.

I would suggest that you ask your question on The Q&A forum and get the message from the experts.

[EricH]

There is a way to put the robot back in starting configuration without powering it up. It's called making sure you don't need to be Superman to collapse it by hand. Failing that, try making the offending part(s) able to be easily removed, as 488 did last year.

[Mike Schreiber]

we had a similar problem with our ramps last year and the lift leg that we used. We had to lower the lift leg to be able to actually roll the robot. Our solution was to simply bungee cord everything together, pick it up, and walk off the field. After the match we tethered the robot and reset it. The only problem we encountered with this design was in the finals when they told us to leave our controls at the player station to save time and our driver didn't think about resetting the robot, although refs are perfectly understanding if you say we need the controls to reset.

I'm not sure if this is an option for you, but we thought it was the easiest solution.