Uses of Raspberry Pi

[E Dawg]

I've noticed some threads concerning the Raspberry Pi. I know that using it for vision processing has come up, but do people have any other uses for it?

[JeremyLansing]

I'm not sure if you mean FRC specific uses or uses in general, but I know I have a minecraft server running on mine. I have seen them used for cloud storage, and I know of several instances where people have connected multiple raspberry pi's together in a Beowulf Cluster to make a supercomputer.

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/mediace...computer.shtml

Raspberry Pi's can essentially be used for most tasks a regular computer can, although they lack processing speed and memory compared to a modern desktop.

[techhelpbb]

I don't think I've seen anyone do this but you could interface other sensors to the Raspberry Pi just like a CMOS camera module.

So you could: read encoders, hall effect sensors, gyros, compass and the like and front end the processing of those sensors for the cRIO. Perhaps in combination with machine vision (say like a camera system that knows it is oriented up-side-down).

I doubt most people see a real need for this, but it is possible and I think legal in FRC.

What you can not do is drive the motor controllers bypassing the cRIO entirely (because of the field safety systems).

[cgmv123]

We're planning to run our whole demobot of off a Raspberry Pi/Arduino Mega system. The Pi runs a web server that is connected to by a smartphone and feeds data to the Mega which outputs PWM to the speed controllers.

[yash101]

I run a website and a forum(with no users) on my Pi.

Uses of the Pi:
billions of things are possible!

vision tracking (though if used on FRC robot, DS tracking will be more effective.
Web server
Cloud Server (I run OwnCloud!)
automation
control systems

^^that's a hair of what's possible^^

[techhelpbb]

Outside of FRC I've used the Raspberry Pi:

To control my plant watering system (I have an erratic schedule my plants like water).

To control IAI DS series actuators.

To Internet enable a power monitor.

To do data acquisition on an V8 350 engine at someone's request.

[yash101]

I will use a Pi (or maybe a propeller chip) to control the AC from the web, and use sensors throughout the floor, instead of of in one central place so my room won't get 110 degrees F, even with the A/C on!

[E Dawg]

Sorry for the vagueness: I meant FRC specific uses.

(Although I'm getting a Pi for Christmas, so I may make use of the other ideas posted here )

[yash101]

A Raspberry Pi is typically used as a co-processor, meant to handle those tasks that are too daunting or too complicated to program on the cRIO. Typically, this would be nothing more than vision tracking, or on-system diagnostics, etc!

Also, yeah, one Pi is useful, but when you start using them, you will start running short. I'd suggest getting at least two Pi's. Also worth to mention is how easily they will get fried!

[techhelpbb]

One could use the Pi to do non-critical displays on the robot. Light shows.
Hookup a monitor and run graphics (have your robot running the PacMan screen saver).

[yash101]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

One could use the Pi to do non-critical displays on the robot. Light shows.
Hookup a monitor and run graphics (have your robot running the PacMan screen saver).

I'd love to see that! The composite out means you can get one of those el-cheapo displays, and run some cool stuff. Or even cooler, have your vision tracking stuff showing on the screen so that the audience can see it! They wil be amazed! Otherwise, you can show a video feed of what the robot sees or maybe a slideshow of the team's achievements! What about LCD bumpers so you don't have to keep swapping them out?! Maybe that is a little excessive, but is still cool!

[JesseK]

In my opinion:
If one wants a Raspberry Pi for FRC, it should run Angstrom Linux. If it can't, one shouldn't get a Raspberry Pi. Perhaps think about getting a BeagleBone Black instead.
Why?
The 2015 control system will have Angstrom Linux as its O/S. Getting used to the abilities and limitations of a target platform early will get you up and running early in 2015 while still providing a very usable platform for 2014. Special thanks to the Robobees, 836, for sharing this info in their 2015 Alpha Testing session this past weekend.

http://www.ni.com/linux/ for some helpful info.

Beyond FRC, either is a fine choice. Though for robotics, the expansion boards can up the cost of a Raspberry Pi up to match a BBB for equivalent functionality.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by JesseK

The 2015 control system will have Angstrom Linux as its O/S.
http://www.ni.com/linux/ for some helpful info.

While the 2015 roboRIO does run linux, it uses the opkg package manager from OpenWRT and some package repositories from Ångström, calling it Ångström Linux would not be correct. Notice that the NI link never mentions Ångström. Calling in NI Linux Real-Time is correct, as your link points out. Depending on what you want to do, playing with a kernel with the PREEMPT_RT patch could be more valuable, or playing with Java SE Embedded.

[mman1506]

We have a 72 node Raspberry PI super computer... Yes, I do realize how silly it is. It didn't come out of are budget

[JohnFogarty]

FRC 4901 has plans to use the Rpi as a pit signage controller for our various screens we "plan" to have in our pit. RPi's are really good for digital signage uses.