Speaker and/or iPad in operator console

[EDesbiens]

Hey! I wondered if it was ok to hav e speakers in our operator console... We would use them during matches to signal errors... I looked in the game manual and didn't really found and answer...

I also wondered if we could have an iPad on the operator console. We would disable internet and bluetooth and it would only be used to discuss strategy and scouting...

I hope you guys know the answer!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

Hey! I wondered if it was ok to hav e speakers in our operator console... We would use them during matches to signal errors... I looked in the game manual and didn't really found and answer...

I can't find anything either, but you may want to consider using a visual cue instead. I hear it gets pretty LOUD down there.

I also wondered if we could have an iPad on the operator console. We would disable internet and bluetooth and it would only be used to discuss strategy and scouting...

You don't have to have it on the console--this would fall under T21, so in fact you don't want it on the console (see T21.E.1). (Matter of fact... you REALLY DON'T want it on the console, as your coach would most likely be the one using it, and that would end up being a disablement of your robot under G32.) Make sure you follow all items in T21E, though--particularly 4, 5, and 6.

[EDesbiens]

For the speakers, I know how it can be loud on the field but, last year, one of our drivers was supposed to react to a big signal light on our computer screen (big means it was half of the screen) and he was too focused on the field to see the entire screen turning red...

For the iPad, do you think it would be ok to put a kind of case on the driver station to attach it there and remove it when we arrive at a match?

[Sperkowsky]

I don't see a problem with the iPad. The speakers though could be an issue. I know there is a rule no speakers on robot carts so it may apply

[EricH]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

For the iPad, do you think it would be ok to put a kind of case on the driver station to attach it there and remove it when we arrive at a match?

That would be fine, I'm sure. As long as it's in the hands of whoever's supposed to be using it before automode starts, you should be A-OK.

I might recommend some Velcro on the iPad's own case and some more on the operator console for transport. Just to keep it mostly in place and all.

[Whippet]

Instead of a sound cue, what about having an LED on your driver's safety glasses that turns on and off (Via the Cypress board, IIRC) to signal the information you want to convey? I've heard of several teams who have used it successfully.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by Whippet

Instead of a sound cue, what about having an LED on your driver's safety glasses that turns on and off (Via the Cypress board, IIRC) to signal the information you want to convey? I've heard of several teams who have used it successfully.

Wow! That's a great idea! I think i'll try to work on this one

[Alan Anderson]

We played around with game controller rumble today. That's probably going to be our mechanism for alerting the driver and operator to things. The other possibility is to use lights on the robot itself.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

We played around with game controller rumble today. That's probably going to be our mechanism for alerting the driver and operator to things. The other possibility is to use lights on the robot itself.

We looked at that too... The only thing is that the controllers we normally use (logitech, I don't know the model) do not have vibration... But yeah, that's another greath idea