Electronic scouting using 7 laptops and a little mysql

[jvriezen]

All our students are issued iPads (wifi, no cellular, not sure about bluetooth-- I would think so). Are there any existing scouting applications out there that would take advantage of this?

[silverD]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

All our students are issued iPads (wifi, no cellular, not sure about bluetooth-- I would think so). Are there any existing scouting applications out there that would take advantage of this?

John,
525 Swartdogs have an apple scouting app: Aerial Scout

KnightKrawler built and maintains their own android scouting app: FRCKrawler

Nate

[yash101]

It is quite difficult to use tablets, specifically Apple tablets in the field as you are not allowed to use WiFi and Bluetooth. Some Android tablets, however, have the ability to connect an ethernet cable. I believe that e-scouting is quite reserved to laptops, which have some unbeatable features:

• Ethernet Ports
• USB Ports (for PPTP over serial if necessary)
• Full desktop OS makes it easier to develop and deploy servers

[cjl2625]

Originally Posted by yash101

It is quite difficult to use tablets, specifically Apple tablets in the field as you are not allowed to use WiFi and Bluetooth

Not allowed to use bluetooth? I thought there was nothing in the rules prohibiting bluetooth use.

[yash101]

Originally Posted by cjl2625

Not allowed to use bluetooth? I thought there was nothing in the rules prohibiting bluetooth use.

It's not safe to use Bluetooth. It runs at 2.4GHz so the staff can prohibit Bluetooth if they think it is necessary!

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by yash101

It's not safe to use Bluetooth. It runs at 2.4GHz so the staff can prohibit Bluetooth if they think it is necessary!

Source?

[yash101]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth.
Bluetooth runs at the same spectrum as WiFi, the communications used by the FMS. You can guess that there will be some sort of interference that will occur.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro...nce_at_2.4_GHz

[cgmv123]

Relevant Q&A from last year:

Q. I would like to make a scouting app for my team that would sync data across tablets, but there is a rule against 802.11a/b/g/n/ac networks. I was planning on using bluetooth, which is 802.15, but would that be considered a violation of the rule?

A. There are no rules explicitly prohibiting this. If the Bluetooth network traffic is found to be interfering with game play, the team will be asked to disable the system. However, please remember that rules for 2014 do not apply to future seasons.

[EricH]

On top of the response you just got, I point you to the following threads from within the last year.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=129261
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=127877 (briefly)
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=126509 (I thought the same, though was less set in opinion)
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=124721 (and this one is calling you, Yash, because not only does it cover tablets, but you made post #7. )

[AdamStockton]

Originally Posted by yash101

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth.
Bluetooth runs at the same spectrum as WiFi, the communications used by the FMS. You can guess that there will be some sort of interference that will occur.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro...nce_at_2.4_GHz

Bluetooth may run off the same frequency as WiFi, however it uses the IEEE 802.15 specification (instead of WiFi's IEEE 802.11 specification). This difference makes bluetooth legal under the current rule, since only 802.11 is explicitly mentioned in the rule.

Of course there are technicalities and ethical reasons against using bluetooth, but none are explicitly stated in the rule itself.

*Note* 2014 and prior rules have no bearing on the 2015 rules and are subject to change by FIRST

[Chris_Ely]

Originally Posted by yash101

field as you are not allowed to use WiFi and Bluetooth

Originally Posted by yash101

It's not safe to use Bluetooth. It runs at 2.4GHz so the staff can prohibit Bluetooth if they think it is necessary!

Emphasis mine.

False.
See

Originally Posted by 2014 FRC Game Manual

5.5.1.4 T4
Teams may not set up their own 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz or 5GHz) wireless communication (e.g. access points or
ad-hoc networks) in the venue.

Bluetooth is 802.15.1

Obligatory disclaimer: 2015 rules may differ.