[FTC]: Next year platform?

[sigi0073]

I would be interested in making custom driving systems, similar to FRC, instead of always using the Logitech Gamepads. That was one part of FRC I have always found really cool, and could be a lot easier to integrate into FTC now that it will be using these android devices.

[MattRain]

Originally Posted by 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.

It just seems like a downgrade in my opinion. It doesn't feel like FIRST wants to spend the time and create a good field control. FRC has somewhat of a good control system, issues here and there, but I bet that this system will have issues as well. Your always going to have them with technology.

In other news, i'm glad I didn't by another Samantha Module when one of ours quit this year.

My teams will most likely switch to all of the new systems, as we usually keep up with all of the new and improved items that FTC has allowed/shown. Some learning is in order! (bummer that robotc is not being used next year. We have had code that works year after year....)

[aklego]

Originally Posted by MattRain

It just seems like a downgrade in my opinion....

Yeah, a bit. One of the observations during Hot Shot! was that, from the audience perspective, autonomous looked like there was team interaction when there was none.

That said, way too many matches and tournaments have been decided by samantha and I'm delighted to take this downgrade if it means reliable, lag-free control for teams.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by MattRain

It just seems like a downgrade in my opinion. It doesn't feel like FIRST wants to spend the time and create a good field control.

My guess is they're working out the kinks of the new hardware and potentially we'll have a new FCS next year, as there's likely a decent amount of stuff that would need to change on the back end to get this to work.

I can't wait to see the new hardware-- particularly what this "Snapdragon powered Android device" will look like. There are also references to a Power Board, new Motor Controllers, and "still being able to work with old NXT sensors and DC/servo motors", which implies we'll have new motors, new motor controllers, and new sensors to work with. I hope FIRST opens up the electronics like they have with material components.

[Screener]

It would really be helpful now that the cat is out of the bag if there was some information on the new devices.

Is there a reason this has not been forthcoming. Are we worried about minor griping? Not really. Lets just see what we are going to be able to upgrade to and let us get started thinking and even purchasing before the kids go off to camp, vacations etc during the summer. Yes?]

are we talking about something like the bStem?

http://www.braincorporation.com/spec...Nov11_2013.pdf

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Screener

It would really be helpful now that the cat is out of the bag if there was some information on the new devices.

Is there a reason this has not been forthcoming. ...

My guess would be that everyone able to offer accurate, cogent advice is spending 25 hrs per day getting through this season (and prepping to offer useful info at Worlds).

[gblake]

Originally Posted by 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.

I suspect that getting all four teams to stop (stop scoring, stop moving, stop jostling game pieces, stop pushing other bots, stop ...) within a fraction of a second of each other will be the stronger test of whether this aspect of the season goes well.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Screener

It would really be helpful now that the cat is out of the bag if there was some information on the new devices.

...

are we talking about something like the bStem?

Maybe they will Samsung Galaxy S6's?

[aklego]

Originally Posted by gblake

I suspect that getting all four teams to stop (stop scoring, stop moving, stop jostling game pieces, stop pushing other bots, stop ...) within a fraction of a second of each other will be the stronger test of whether this aspect of the season goes well.

When FTC did this before, teams had, for lack of a better description, an individual FCS that functioned like the centralized system. Teams were still required to use the templates and the individual FCS would send disable commands after 30 seconds, start teleop in disabled mode and only allow 120 seconds of active play. Teams could abort but not extend play. It worked well.

This won't happen but I see no reason (other than a team disadvantage) that FIRST couldn't dust off the old software and allow teams to continue with their NXT's.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by aklego

When FTC did this before, teams had, for lack of a better description, an individual FCS that functioned like the centralized system. Teams were still required to use the templates and the individual FCS would send disable commands after 30 seconds, start teleop in disabled mode and only allow 120 seconds of active play. Teams could abort but not extend play. It worked well.

This won't happen but I see no reason (other than a team disadvantage) that FIRST couldn't dust off the old software and allow teams to continue with their NXT's.

The info posted earlier said "Templates can be created in the software for autonomous and tele-operated modes and assigned specific times in accordance with the annual game."

The key word is "can".

I'm surprised to see "can" instead of "will".

Maybe the author was repeating what some marketing blurb says, instead of describing what FTC will do.

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by gblake

The info posted earlier said "Templates can be created in the software for autonomous and tele-operated modes and assigned specific times in accordance with the annual game."

The key word is "can".

I'm surprised to see "can" instead of "will".

Maybe the author was repeating what some marketing blurb says, instead of describing what FTC will do.

Pretty sure that you'll be able to modify the stock app used to control the robot for autonomous and teleoperated. So you'll have templates right there, sounds like a really cool way of doing it.

I wonder if this platform will cause use to see more Android-powered robots in real life, I think it has a lot of potential. If I can take the two android products sitting at my desk, plug one into a robot and the second into a gamepad, that's going to be really powerful.

[Nemo]

Originally Posted by sigi0073

I would be interested in making custom driving systems, similar to FRC, instead of always using the Logitech Gamepads. That was one part of FRC I have always found really cool, and could be a lot easier to integrate into FTC now that it will be using these android devices.

Agreed. The Logitech gamepads have been pretty fragile in our experience - we've had lots of failed controllers, including some that were new. Allowing other controllers such as XBox controllers as well as custom USB controllers would be a nice upgrade.

[BSV]

Originally Posted by gblake

Maybe they will Samsung Galaxy S6's?

I'd guess something more like a Nexus 4 for the controller and a Nexus 7 for the driver station, since the FAQ says they did a bulk purchase for cheap. So maybe my old N4 with the busted digitizer still has some value after all!

I think this is going to be really good. Think of all the sensors that are already built into a cell phone (camera, compass, accelerometer, gyro, etc.), and all the custom sensors that could be added, and this really raises the ceiling on FTC. Hopefully teams will take advantage of these new capabilities to make some really creative things. I saw way too many "robots" that were really just remote controlled vehicles (no sensor feedback, no autonomous) in my first year as an FTC mentor, but I think that using something that has such a huge pool of potential mentors and good online training is really going to help teams raise the level.

[PhilBot]

Considering this in hindsight... it seems like an obvious platform choice...

Anyone else see that there is likely a strong Google connection in here somewhere?

1) Google has shown that they see robotics as their future.
2) FIRST is the biggest youth robotics training ground.
3) Android is a Google mainstay.
4) Google Nexus devices use Snapdragon
4) Google has always been a strong FIRST supporter.

I wonder if Google and NI are now competing for our kid's brains. Yay !!!!

Not sure about the "Modern Robotics " connection. Must be a startup, or dark horse that will become clearer later.

This change is wonderful, in a scary sort of way.
Can't wait to see the HW at Worlds.

OK.. Update.

I see that "Modern Robotics Inc." Has the same zip code as "Dataport Systems", the parent company of HiTechnic

[Steven Smith]

The Google link could certainly be there, but I think the QualComm (Snapdragon) one is probably equally strong... as they have really ramped their support of FIRST.