[FTC]: Next year platform?

[crollison]

Anybody have any ideas as to what next years platform will be, or speculation? Don't want anyone to spill any "top secret" info, but I'm trying to put together purchase orders for next year and want to plan ahead. I don't want to purchase any Lego robotics equipment if it's not going to be legal.

I didn't participate in FTC this year since we moved up to FRC, but want to train MS and possibly get a MS FTC team going in the next year or two as a feeder program.

[GeeTwo]

OOPS - sorry - didn't notice this was FTC..

Speculation, to be sure, but FRC seems to be in a four year cycle. The last twelve games, including 2015:

• balls, smaller (?) (Rebound Rumble, FIRST Overdrive, FIRST Frenzy)
• strange bedfellows (Ultimate Ascent, Lunacy, Triple Play)
• balls, larger (?) (Aerial Assist, Breakaway, Aim High)
• Placement (Recycle Rush, Logo Motion, Rack 'n' Roll)

I'd stock up on enough rollers and small motors to pick up relatively small balls for prototyping at least. We'll probably also base our summer camp challenge on small balls this year.

[cadandcookies]

I'd budget around the same as you would for this year's electronics and then worry about purchasing hypothetical new electronics if/when they come out, which I doubt (presuming they're actually coming) would be much later than Championships in April, possibly sooner than that.

I also don't have any inside knowledge about this-- I've just heard rumors and speculation, so I hope I'm not completely misguiding you, but this is what I would do if I was planning on FTC next year.

[BSV]

We were told by someone in a position to know that something new is being introduced for next season and that it isn't Lego-based but is of comparable price or less. The announcement was said to be imminent, but that was already 6-7 weeks ago.

I don't find it too surprising, since NXTs are at end of life ( no more will be produced after 2015: https://education.lego.com/en-us/les...v3/nxt-vs-ev3).

[Screener]

Originally Posted by BSV

We were told by someone in a position to know
that it isn't Lego-based. The announcement was said to be imminent, 6-7 weeks ago since NXTs are at end of life

That would likely mean replacement of not just the NXT but the Samantha and the Motor and Servo Controllers. We can keep the battery though. :-)

Since we soon wont be able to get NXT's Does anyone know if it is possible to use
1) EV3 with USB Wifi dongle with the existing FTC FCS?
2) EV3 with Samantha with existing FTC FCS?

[ehochstein]

Don't buy anything until you get confirmation from FIRST that the NXT/Ev3 will be used next year.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by ehochstein

Don't buy anything until you get confirmation from FIRST that the NXT/Ev3 will be used next year.

+1

[Mr V]

Here you go the press release just went live. http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...t#.VQB9Y-HqFpl It says it will be demonstrated at CMP, now to go finish reading it.

[BSV]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Here you go the press release just went live. http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...t#.VQB9Y-HqFpl It says it will be demonstrated at CMP, now to go finish reading it.

There it finally is.

It looks like the details so far are:

• No more Lego NXT (or EV3) brains
• runs Android, so programming is in java (see http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/)
• works with current sensors / hardware / electronics
• no more centralized FCS

[MattRain]

Nothing shown, but info...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK_UutoT-NI

Here is what is on FIRST's Website. http://www3.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/technology
Talks about stuff like: (I don't like the first one here...)

How will matches be controlled without a central control system?

Teams will be required to start and stop based on the central play clock as instructed by the referee. This “sports start” format is common to most sports and was used in the 2009/2010 season by FTC. Templates can be created in the software for autonomous and tele-operated modes and assigned specific times in accordance with the annual game. If robots score points or gain advantage outside of the match time referees will correct for this by disallowing points or possibly assigning penalties.

What does my team need to do to convert my existing robot over to the new platform?

Register with FIRST Tech Challenge for the 2015/2016 season and order (2) Android devices, the Legacy Multiplexor and Power Block. The Legacy Multiplexor allows current LEGO® NXT sensors and DC and Servo Motor Controllers to work in the new system. The Power Block is a terminal block allowing for easier power distribution. This is all you need to convert your existing robot. You can continue to use all your existing sensors, motors, battery and motor controller. You will no longer need your Samantha module or LEGO NXT.

Why are there additional new parts (beyond Android devices, Legacy Multiplexor and Power Block) offered as part of the new platform?

Android wired communication is via USB. New teams, and veterans who wish to upgrade, can purchase USB Motor Controllers (DC and Servo) and an Advanced Sensor Module which will accept standard, off the shelf, sensors.

[maths222]

Matt: I don't like that one either, and I'm an FTA who has to deal with all the fun stuff in the old system.
What happens if a team either doesn't press start right away, or the button press doesn't go through. Do they start 5 seconds late, and then run 5 seconds long, do they have to "e-stop" when the buzzer rings, do they get a penalty, or can they not run auto at all that match?

Some other comments:

• This system will take longer to start: I can almost guarantee that we will not be permitted to restart the controller in between Auto and Teleop even if something has gone wrong.
• I'm a bit concerned about device battery life (although theyre may be some sort of power off of the robot battery [I hope]) and or random device crashes, which I don't believe any Android device is immune from.
• EVERYTHING that goes wrong will be a "team problem" except for mechanical field failure. Therefore, if communication fails though something not the team's fault at all, it will always be their responsbility (you can argue if this si bad or neutral; I think it is hard to argue this is a good change)
• USB connectors on all control system components (given that they will probably be micro-sized, although I could be wrong) concern me as a likely point of failure (not in terms of breakage, but in terms of disconnection)

Some positive things:

• Wifi should be the same at home and competition (No program chooser issues).
• The system should be better for use with off the shelf sensors
• I'm hoping the new motor/servo controllers will be more reliable, but we will see.

[sigi0073]

Originally Posted by maths222

Some positive things:

• Wifi should be the same at home and competition (No program chooser issues).
• The system should be better for use with off the shelf sensors
• I'm hoping the new motor/servo controllers will be more reliable, but we will see.

From what I have seen on the http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/technology, the controllers will be the same.

Register with FIRST Tech Challenge for the 2015/2016 season and order (2) Android devices, the Legacy Multiplexor and Power Block. The Legacy Multiplexor allows current LEGO® NXT sensors and DC and Servo Motor Controllers to work in the new system. The Power Block is a terminal block allowing for easier power distribution. This is all you need to convert your existing robot. You can continue to use all your existing sensors, motors, battery and motor controller. You will no longer need your Samantha module or LEGO NXT.

So unfortunately we might still have similar issues with power surges and loose wiring.

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by sigi0073

From what I have seen on the http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/technology, the controllers will be the same.

So unfortunately we might still have similar issues with power surges and loose wiring.

It looks like you'll have the option to use the old system or use the new motor controllers. I can't wait to see what the new motor controllers look like.

[MattRain]

Originally Posted by ehochstein

It looks like you'll have the option to use the old system or use the new motor controllers. I can't wait to see what the new motor controllers look like.

I know, I want to see these things and get my hands on some! A lot to learn it looks like for next year.

[aklego]

There seems to be lots of concern over the "sports start" but that same system was used for "Hot Shot!" and it worked remarkably well. All teams were practiced in using it and would start within a fraction of second of each other. It was simply a non-issue.