[FTC]: Next year platform?

[BSV]

Originally Posted by 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.

Qualcomm was recently added as a FIRST Strategic Partner (Google already was one), so you are probably right. My guess would be Google Nexus devices, since those fit the sponsors and are pure android instead of some phone manufacturer version. Of course, it doesn't matter that much for app development as long as the apps are compatible with the OS.

One of the kids suggested that they could program the robot to drive itself to competitions next year, since there may be a built-in GPS. There are a lot of things in a typical phone that were external robot sensors the last few years (accelerometer, gyro) as well as new capabilities. It's going to be fun to see what teams come up with next year.

[maths222]

One thing to note-the devices must support USB OTG (basically, they can act as both USB hosts and slaves) along with Wifi direct. I don't know that this eliminates many devices, but those are the two primary hardware concerns.

[maths222]

My guess, although I have no support for this, is a Nexus 5 for the robot and a Nexus 7 for the DS. With Snapdragon + Google as strategic partners this would make sense and give Google a way to get a lot of the discontinued Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 off their hands (they support the right technologies and there is still probably a decent bit of surplus stock (which may have been sold to/be sold through FIRST at a relatively low cost)

[PhilBot]

Anyone out there used both the proposed development environments and want to offer any comparisons for a Java Nube (but veteran programmer)?

1) Android Studio (which is based on IntelliJ IDEA)

2) MIT/Google App Inventor

Phil.

[wgardner]

Originally Posted by PhilBot

Anyone out there used both the proposed development environments and want to offer any comparisons for a Java Nube (but veteran programmer)?

1) Android Studio (which is based on IntelliJ IDEA)

2) MIT/Google App Inventor

Phil.

Android Studio is a full text-based Java Android IDE. It's the real deal for developing Java apps on Android. Free and full functionality.
See this image to get a sense of what it looks like:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/infinum.web...png?1393599597
(I developed the "Watch FTC Tournament" app in Android Studio.)

App Inventor is like Scratch for Java. You drag blocks together to make code. Easier to learn but not quite as flexible or fully functional.
See this image to get a sense of what it's like:
http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/s...yCarBlocks.png
(I tried to develop a simple tank drive practice game in App Inventor, but found that it didn't fully support multi-touch on a screen.)

[Screener]

This change must have been coming for a long time

http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/...-android-robot

[sigi0073]

I hope that FIRST will allow for the use of the Android NDK with android studio for performance critical tasks i.e. vision or sensor processing.

It seems to be possible:
https://software.intel.com/en-us/vid...android-studio

[MattRain]

I'm posting these here. THESE ARE NOT FROM THE CONFIDENTAL FILE that has been roaming. These were just released on the live stream from San Antonio from Ken Johnson.

Looks really interesting. Tablet sized for the driver stations. (Looks like we can make FRC type driver stations next year.)

My teams are going to try and buy all the new items, instead of using the old HiTechinic Boxes..

[budman]

I missed that! Great info! I agree with purchasing the new equipment. Excited about the "Advanced Sensor Module".

Anyone been able find much info about the Modern Robotics Inc? Website says will be up in April - http://modernroboticsinc.com/

[maths222]

Originally Posted by budman

Anyone been able find much info about the Modern Robotics Inc? Website says will be up in April - http://modernroboticsinc.com/

I think they are associated with HiTechnic or HiTechnic's parent company Dataport Systems. They are based out of the same cities.

[BSV]

Originally Posted by MattRain

I'm posting these here. THESE ARE NOT FROM THE CONFIDENTAL FILE that has been roaming. These were just released on the live stream from San Antonio from Ken Johnson.

Looks really interesting. Tablet sized for the driver stations. (Looks like we can make FRC type driver stations next year.)

My teams are going to try and buy all the new items, instead of using the old HiTechinic Boxes..

Credit to 4962 for capturing the pics off the stream:

https://twitter.com/ftc4962

Edit: He presented the same thing as the FTC video released today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9qySXJp9Q

[JimInNJ]

Here's the youtube video on the official FTC group:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9q...ature=youtu.be

Originally Posted by MattRain

I'm posting these here. THESE ARE NOT FROM THE CONFIDENTAL FILE that has been roaming. These were just released on the live stream from San Antonio from Ken Johnson.

Looks really interesting. Tablet sized for the driver stations. (Looks like we can make FRC type driver stations next year.)

My teams are going to try and buy all the new items, instead of using the old HiTechinic Boxes..

[cookthebook]

How likely do you guys think it will be to be able to use a Beagle Bone with a Wifi antenna? It can run Android, so it is technically an 'Android device'. The I/O pins would be a lot easier to use with custom sensors and such, plus it can much more easily be mounted onto various places.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by maths222

My guess, although I have no support for this, is a Nexus 5 for the robot and a Nexus 7 for the DS. With Snapdragon + Google as strategic partners this would make sense and give Google a way to get a lot of the discontinued Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 off their hands (they support the right technologies and there is still probably a decent bit of surplus stock (which may have been sold to/be sold through FIRST at a relatively low cost)

Color me interested... I've got a N5 sitting around mostly unused right now. If I can use it as a robot controller simply I'd be a happy camper.

[JimInNJ]

I suppose that would work, but my first impression is that, for support purposes, FTC will try to limit their official support to the approved devices for at least this year, and you would be on your own if you have any issues. There is a new sensor input module that is supposed to interface to custom sensors, and I think that you may be handicapping your team by not using the phone, with its built in sensors and faster CPU and memory.

This is only my personal opinion, and YMMV!

Originally Posted by cookthebook

How likely do you guys think it will be to be able to use a Beagle Bone with a Wifi antenna? It can run Android, so it is technically an 'Android device'. The I/O pins would be a lot easier to use with custom sensors and such, plus it can much more easily be mounted onto various places.