Kinect in auton allowed

[Brandon_L]

Originally Posted by Tuba4

I see what the q&a answer is, but it makes no sense. If some one is controlling the robot via Kinect, then it isn't really autonomous, is it? It would be under operator control!

It is called autonomous mode, but if you read the auton rules it states that you can't be physically in contact with a controlling device and have to be behind the white line in the station. As far as I know, no rule actually says something along the lines of "can not be controlled through any means by a drive team member"

[Chris is me]

There's still zero incentive to use a Kinect this year. The only reason a Kinect would be "better" than a normal autonomous mode would be if you had to react to some unforeseen event on the field, such as an opponent trying to hit you. Since once again, the autonomous modes are segregated, there should be no scenario that wouldn't be better and more repeatedly executed in a completely autonomous fashion.

[protoserge]

I think the Kinect is a very good idea. It is a much better sensor compared to the Axis camera and can be used to offload vision targeting to a computer on the robot vs. using bandwidth to the driver station.

It is certainly not a waste of time to learn how to use it, especially since it has a nice sensor for distance.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by stinglikeabee

I think the Kinect is a very good idea. It is a much better sensor compared to the Axis camera and can be used to offload vision targeting to a computer on the robot vs. using bandwidth to the driver station.

It is certainly not a waste of time to learn how to use it, especially since it has a nice sensor for distance.

This thread is discussing using the Kinect to control your robot in autonomous mode. I completely agree that it can be a more useful sensor than an Axis camera in the right hands.

[protoserge]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

This thread is discussing using the Kinect to control your robot in autonomous mode. I completely agree that it can be a more useful sensor than an Axis camera in the right hands.

If you are talking about a hybrid autonomous mode, I believe you may be mistaken.

There is no hybrid autonomous.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by stinglikeabee

If you are talking about a hybrid autonomous mode, I believe you may be mistaken.

There is no hybrid autonomous.

Then why did the GDC say it was legal to use the Kinect on the Operator Console to control the robot in Autonomous?

[protoserge]

Thanks. I missed the link and only read the rules. Derp.

My experience with Kinect would think this is not a great input device for behind the line due to the ease of other people getting into the frame of reference. The IR remote might be useful though.

[Cory]

Phew, good news. We were worried we wouldn't be able to use it again

[TheMadCADer]

Does a Kinect on the Driver Station have to be pointed at the drivers? I'm currently looking for a rule that prohibits directing it at the field and using it as a sensor for the robot that isn't on the robot. Somehow I have a feeling the GDC wouldn't approve of this...

Who knows? Maybe it could be useful. Pathfinding, maybe?

[Hjelstrom]

Originally Posted by TheMadCADer

Does a Kinect on the Driver Station have to be pointed at the drivers? I'm currently looking for a rule that prohibits directing it at the field and using it as a sensor for the robot that isn't on the robot. Somehow I have a feeling the GDC wouldn't approve of this...

Who knows? Maybe it could be useful. Pathfinding, maybe?

the Kinect only senses out to about 12 ft so it wouldn't be able to see the whole field at once. Neat idea though!

[dellagd]

Were probably gonna use it for fun, but maybe for autonomous sequencing. Literally just like a button.

Raise/lower hand to proceed to the next item in your auton for spacing out when your alliance shoots.

[Johnbot]

True autonomous is better than a Kinect-driven "Hybrid" mode, but it is definitely not something to always dismiss, because it can (read: has a small-ish chance of us considering it to) be useful.

Take our current plan for using it, for instance:

The SmartDashboard accesses the Kinect. It takes a photo of them, and then uses the Kinect bone coordinate data to turn said photo into a paper doll of the person using the Kinect.

Then, it keeps updating the drawn parts of the paper doll to match the driver. The SmartDashboard then draws a sword in the driver's paper doll's hand, and starts shooting bombs at the driver's paper doll. The driver must chop the bombs, or he/she will be hit and blow up. The goal will be to last through all of auton.

This works well, as now we can do something while we wait for field issues to be resolved

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by Cory

Phew, good news. We were worried we wouldn't be able to use it again

I see no advantage to Kinect use over a good autonomous.

[kmusa]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

I see no advantage to Kinect use over a good autonomous.

At least in this case, there's the high entertainment value.

-Karlis

[Tuba4]

Originally Posted by Brandon_L

It is called autonomous mode, but if you read the auton rules it states that you can't be physically in contact with a controlling device and have to be behind the white line in the station. As far as I know, no rule actually says something along the lines of "can not be controlled through any means by a drive team member"

Not to "lawyer" up here, but autonomous as defined in the game manual says "Robots operate without direct driver control". With Kinect the robot would be under direct driver control. It is no less direct than when a driver manipulates the robot with joysticks. In either case there is no physical contact, but driver actions cause robot reactions.

Having said all of this, control via Kinect is cool whenever it occurs.