Safety Issue: Robots Moving in Pits

[JamesCH95]

I would be quite upset if we were prohibited from driving the robot on the ground in our pit because it is very easy to do it safely.

When we test our robot on the floor (which is about the only way to evaluate certain performance changes) we establish what we call the 'kill radius.' This terms stems from my experience using axes/mauls/chain-saws - the radius around an operation where a bystander could be hurt. We spread team members around this 'kill radius' to keep people away from our robot when it's being run. This is a practice that has earned us compliments from various safety officials.

In addition to establishing a kill radius around the robot we put one person on the controls whose sole job is to mash the disable button if anything goes wrong. To avoid confusion only one person is ever allowed to issue verbal commands to the drivers, with the exception of "STOP" which everyone is allowed to say.

Now, if teams are at a loss for how to operate their robot with the drive disabled... pull the drive motor breakers. This is what we do when we operate the robot on workbench or other place where we want the wheels on the ground but cannot afford to have it drive. It requires no nuances or expertise and takes just a few seconds.

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

When we test our robot on the floor (which is about the only way to evaluate certain performance changes) we establish what we call the 'kill radius.' This terms stems from my experience using axes/mauls/chain-saws - the radius around an operation where a bystander could be hurt. We spread team members around this 'kill radius' to keep people away from our robot when it's being run. This is a practice that has earned us compliments from various safety officials.

In addition to establishing a kill radius around the robot we put one person on the controls whose sole job is to mash the disable button if anything goes wrong. To avoid confusion only one person is ever allowed to issue verbal commands to the drivers, with the exception of "STOP" which everyone is allowed to say.

I like these policies.

(Although, again, our pit was standing room only for the robot and the couple of people working on it, I can't imagine having enough room for the robot and a kill radius AND people standing around a perimeter - not without going into the alley!)

Again, I would support the ability to be flexible but if a team loses control and someone gets hurt because they were not following safe practices, I would want to see that team get appropriate training and reprimanding. I don't necessarily want to see all punitive actions but that should be a step along the way if a team is being egregriously unsafe despite attempts to train and warn them.

My first retail job was at a Canadian Tire and I still remember what my boss said on day 1. He said that if you do it wrong, there are three possible reasons. (1) You didn't know, which isn't necessarily your fault if you weren't taught. (2) You forgot, which is forgivable once or twice. Beyond that, it's (3) You don't care [enough].

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

I like these policies.

(Although, again, our pit was standing room only for the robot and the couple of people working on it, I can't imagine having enough room for the robot and a kill radius AND people standing around a perimeter - not without going into the alley!)

Again, I would support the ability to be flexible but if a team loses control and someone gets hurt because they were not following safe practices, I would want to see that team get appropriate training and reprimanding. I don't necessarily want to see all punitive actions but that should be a step along the way if a team is being egregriously unsafe despite attempts to train and warn them.

My first retail job was at a Canadian Tire and I still remember what my boss said on day 1. He said that if you do it wrong, there are three possible reasons. (1) You didn't know, which isn't necessarily your fault if you weren't taught. (2) You forgot, which is forgivable once or twice. Beyond that, it's (3) You don't care [enough].

We did grow into the alley, slowing down traffic. However, it was only for 15-60s at a time so it never seemed to be a large impediment. Our pit-neighbors seemed to appreciate us being safe.

[Tungrus]

There are so many rules you can make and try to enforce...still it will never be foolproof.

Everyone in the team who can turn on the robot must be trained to operate it safely. This is imperative this season, not just the rogue drive can hurt someone, with many robots designed with extended actuators can easily maim someone. In FIM Howell district event, during a match the refree had to dodge a swinging arm. If the robot operators cultivate this habit to ensure robot operates in safe environment.

[zinthorne]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

I would be quite upset if we were prohibited from driving the robot on the ground in our pit because it is very easy to do it safely.

When we test our robot on the floor (which is about the only way to evaluate certain performance changes) we establish what we call the 'kill radius.' This terms stems from my experience using axes/mauls/chain-saws - the radius around an operation where a bystander could be hurt. We spread team members around this 'kill radius' to keep people away from our robot when it's being run. This is a practice that has earned us compliments from various safety officials.

In addition to establishing a kill radius around the robot we put one person on the controls whose sole job is to mash the disable button if anything goes wrong. To avoid confusion only one person is ever allowed to issue verbal commands to the drivers, with the exception of "STOP" which everyone is allowed to say.

Now, if teams are at a loss for how to operate their robot with the drive disabled... pull the drive motor breakers. This is what we do when we operate the robot on workbench or other place where we want the wheels on the ground but cannot afford to have it drive. It requires no nuances or expertise and takes just a few seconds.

We do the same thing with the "kill zone." We also have rules that only the driver or operator control the robot in the pit. We also have a person on the disable button. As another precaution we have a button on our drive controller that must be pressed before any movement from the drivetrain can occur. This has proved very useful when practicing when programmers use a remote so nothing goes crazy. It also allows if by some chance somebody picks up the remote or drops it the robot will not just start moving.

We also place our robot on blocks when it is on the cart in the pit. (It stays on the cart 95% of the time in the pit.