Can we use a gopro helmet camera?

[Doc Wu]

I saw several used this past weekend. None on any robots that I reviewed, so I didn't have to make any decisions.

I'm familiar with the GoPro cameras, having lusted after one for use in my cycling hobby. I haven't broken down and bought one yet, but for use in the application on the robot, I don't think you could ask for better. There are several other, similar, helmet-cam setups that would be equally at home on a bot, so this isn't an endorsement of a particular brand.

Pluses are they are nearly indestructable (made for sports use) self-contained power, small, light, and getting pretty cheap. So they are coming close to meeting all concerns about use on the robot. The GoPro mounting hardware is also good. No worry about wire-tieing it on when you have a choice of several types of brackets.

I think in the future, these might be more specifically addressed in the rules. The benefits of making POV video during matches can only help promote FIRST and the excitement of the competitions. Teams can use the video in creative ways to promote their team and FIRST as well as to diagnose the robot and strategy.

As long as they remain self-contained and the team has the room in their weight and cost budgets, it seems like they are enhancing the competition more than doing any harm.