[BB] Something to end your week

[Tom I]

I'm thinking the Kinect will be used in conjunction with the human players, very much like '08 was with the IR remotes used to guide the robots in autonomous. I can't see it going on the robots and serving as anything more than simply a regular camera. Look at what the Kinect was made for... it was made to interact with people, bodies. It only makes sense if it's a human player input. Obviously the drivers won't be controlling the robots by dancing out the Y-M-C-A (although that would be priceless to watch! ). I would also venture the guess that it's not going to be used on the robots, as that brings into question issues of power, weight, and interaction with the cRio, as well as the complications of having multiple cameras with multiple sets of IR lasers on the field. If I had to make a prediction, I'd say it'll be used during autonomous.

That being said, I think the Tweedles were on to something...

[alfredtwo]

There will be some code made available at some point to help teams get started. I don't know what the schedule on that is. I expect that the beta teams will do try some interesting things as well. We'll all just have to wait and see how it all fits into the game (if at all) of course. From my point of view I'm just excited that smart innovative FIRST students will have a chance to get creative with Kinect.
BTW I have some links on my blog with Kinect information as well as links to FIRST's press release about this donation. See http://blogs.msdn.com/b/alfredth/arc...the-robot.aspx if interested.

[Steven Donow]

Here's a press release from FIRST on the subject, just posted on their facebook:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fir...012-2011-10-07

Quotes specifically mentioning how it will be used:

The addition of Kinect for Xbox 360 will allow the competitors to "be the robot," using a natural user interface to control and interact with their robots with gestures,

The addition of Kinect for Xbox 360 will allow the competitors to "be the robot," using a natural user interface to control and interact with their robots with gestures, without the need to use a joystick, game controller, or other input device.

[Chris is me]

Sounds like a cool Hybrid mode again.

[plnyyanks]

The Microsoft blog post also hinted at the possible usage...

During the autonomous period team members will be able to provide some guidance to one (of the three on a team) robot by moving their bodies.

(emphasis mine)


So we may see a 2008-like hybrid mode period again...

[Rizner]

Originally Posted by stevend1994

Here's a press release from FIRST on the subject, just posted on their facebook:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fir...012-2011-10-07

Quotes specifically mentioning how it will be used:

I read this, but I feel like it can be used for so much more -- to easily see how many meters something is away from the robot for autonomous or as a sensor for when to deploy things shouldn't be a problem.

Originally Posted by plnyyanks

The Microsoft blog post also hinted at the possible usage...

(emphasis mine)


So we may see a 2008-like hybrid mode period again...

ahhhh, interesting

[Tom Line]

A document has been released to the beta teams dealing the software that FRC has already written.

At this point, the Kinect plugs in to the driver station, and the code allows you to control a tank style drive train. It is very specific in that only ONE PERSON must be view of the Kinect at a time.

Of course, this is all BETA info, so take it with a grain of salt until we see the new game.

[JB987]

Since use of Kinect wouldn't really be strictly autonomous, is it possible this could be used to control a minibot for endgame purposes? I can just see [i]FIRST[i] requiring us to use the Samantha module to actually control an FTC type minibot to negotiate a maze or obstacle course this time around now that we got our feet wet instead of using another drastically stripped down version like last year Food for thought?

[Thad House]

I see a large increase in dancing drive teams because of this.
Do the YMCA or the chicken dance in order to drive it.

[gblake]

Didn't D. Lavery or someone hint at this during last season by talking about teleoperated robots replacing/augmenting humans in outer space? Of course any connections to past public speaking could just be an expected coincidence (talking about human-machine interfaces at a robotics event is hardly a surprise).

[Pi Fighter]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

A document has been released to the beta teams dealing the software that FRC has already written.

At this point, the Kinect plugs in to the driver station, and the code allows you to control a tank style drive train. It is very specific in that only ONE PERSON must be view of the Kinect at a time.

Of course, this is all BETA info, so take it with a grain of salt until we see the new game.

Again, this is still in beta, but there is a special SDK with API's for the three main languages (No idea on Python, Matlab, or Simulink). The SDK, as of right now, only runs on Windows 7 (No idea if that will change). Gestures are pre-programmed, but you can change them with Visual Studio Express.

Even if it doesn't turn out to work that well in competition, it'll be great for demonstrations (Deploying a minibot at the flick of the wrist, great way to engage the audience).

[AdamHeard]

I just hope they don't *require* the use of the kinect over traditional methods of direct control.

[Pi Fighter]

In case anyone wants to get their feet wet before kickoff, keep an eye on http://www.usfirst.org/frc/kinect. They already have instructions on how to start toying around with kinect, and I'm sure there will be a lot more information there as kickoff approaches.

[plnyyanks]

As a response to those speculating about putting the Kinect on your robot:

Q: Can I put the Kinect on my robot to detect other robots or field elements?

While the focus for Kinect in 2012 is at the operator level, as described above, there are no plans to prohibit teams from implementing the Kinect sensor on the robot.

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/kinect

So, it seems FIRST is focusing on using this for controlling the robot (I also hope it's not the only, required means of driving the robot), but we're also free to have some fun with in on the robots.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by gblake

Didn't D. Lavery or someone hint at this during last season by talking about teleoperated robots replacing/augmenting humans in outer space? Of course any connections to past public speaking could just be an expected coincidence (talking about human-machine interfaces at a robotics event is hardly a surprise).

Yeah, at DC Regional(I believe it was DC), he showed a video showing, if I remember correctly, a NASA program that was done via Kinect that allowed kids to virtually "walk" through the International Space Station. Then he said something like, "How cool would it be for you to use that in FIRST? Maybe you should send emails to our kit of parts people"


Also, hopefully the maximum required capacity of using Kinect is as 'hybrid' mode, and hopefully they make it simple enough to program.