GoPro Legality?

[fox46]

We've been running two GoPros on our machine, one older version and one Hero3 Black edition. We only ever had issues in Boston where one overzealous inspector was concerned about the WiFi option, stating that a frisbee could hit the camera and activate the option... A brief conversation with the head inspector allayed his concerns and there were no further issues. Just be sure to have the camera (s) installed during weigh-in and inspection. Our two other regionals, GTR East and GTR West there were no issues aside from a confirmation from inspectors that the wireless capability would not be used. They have given us some absolutely awesome footage!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVIbqpcoUCI - Be sure to watch in 1080p!

[Boe]

Shouldn't the gopro have to be powered off the battery per r34. Or is there another rule that lets you power it off the camera battery

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Boe

Shouldn't the gopro have to be powered off the battery per r34. Or is there another rule that lets you power it off the camera battery

R34 directly covers a camera powered by its internal battery.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Joe is correct...
R34...
Exception: Batteries integral to and part of a COTS computing device or self-contained camera are also permitted (e.g.
laptop batteries), provided they’re only used to power the COTS computing device and any peripheral COTS USB
input devices connected to the COTS computing device and they must be securely fastened to the ROBOT.

[theCADguy]

It is legal to use a GoPro, but using the wi-fi feature is illegal.
Team 20 is also considering mounting a GoPro on our robot, as well.

[Tytus Gerrish]

as long as the controlling devise is not in the hands of the drive team i let it go.

I presumed having a remote control to start and stop recording was better than an extra team member manually pushing the buttons on the camera while the robot was in que.

I got in trouble for that alot with my original gopro in 2011 sort of abusing my voulinteer position. but there isin't enough room on those cards to record all the idle time waiting for the match.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Tytus Gerrish

as long as the controlling devise is not in the hands of the drive team i let it go.

I presumed having a remote control to start and stop recording was better than an extra team member manually pushing the buttons on the camera while the robot was in que.

I got in trouble for that alot with my original gopro in 2011 sort of abusing my voulinteer position. but there isin't enough room on those cards to record all the idle time waiting for the match.

I bought a 64GB card for mine. Haven't filled the card. Batteries die quick though.

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

Batteries die quick though.

We got 2 spare batteries plus wall and car charger for our Hero 3 from Amazon for $24.

[ekapalka]

GoPro cameras can still function perfectly if plugged into a wall socket or car charger. Maybe this helps?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by nukemknight

We got 2 spare batteries plus wall and car charger for our Hero 3 from Amazon for $24.

I've got a pair of spare batteries too. They just die quickly. But I'm used to my DSLR which basically needs a recharge once a month after heavy use.

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

There is a wide range of experience level with the inspectors. (This is not a criticism after all they are volunteers & there are always more experienced people they can go to.) The best way to deal with this is to know the rules & be able to show what section of the rules allow the camera. If the camera has questionable options like, wifi, you should be able to demonstrate how to keep them off. Ultimately the LRIs decision is final though.

R74
Any decorations that involve broadcasting a signal to/from the ROBOT, such as remote cameras, must be approved by FIRST (via e-mail to frcparts@usfirst.org) prior to the event and tested for communications interference at the venue. Such devices, if reviewed and approved, are excluded from R62.


Interestedly it is theoretically possible to use a wifi camera by reading the rules & pre-planning.

So, by this rule, it could theoretically be legal to have a camera above the field to track the positions of the other robots and have a completely autonomous robot that plays the entire game on its own?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Whippet,
How did you get from Frank's post to your conclusion? The quoted rule for wireless devices are directed at devices to communicate with or from the robot.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

I've got a pair of spare batteries too. They just die quickly. But I'm used to my DSLR which basically needs a recharge once a month after heavy use.

In our experience turning on wifi kills the battery. We were able to record a lot longer with it turned off.