Smart phone use on robot

[GuardedAirplane]

Is it legal to use an iPhone as an ip camera over the robot lan? The iPhone would not be using cellular or performing any other actions than streaming live video to our team's drive station.

[troy_dietz]

Do you have a way to make a wired LAN connection?

[theawesome1730]

I was under the impression that COTS computing devices could run off their own internal batteries. I would be more concerned about a wired LAN connection to an iPhone, it can be done using an Apple branded USB to Ethernet adaptor, a powered USB hub and an Apple Female USB to Lightning adaptor. I'm unsure of the reason the hub is necessary, but I imagine it is to supply input power since ethernet doesn't carry enough on its own. Seems like a lot of work when a USB Webcam plugged into the roboRIO should accomplish the same thing.

Update:
R31 at the very end: "Additionally, batteries integral to and part of a COTS computing device or self-contained camera are also permitted (e.g. laptop batteries, GoPro style camera, etc.), provided they’re only used to power the COTS computing device and any peripheral COTS USB input devices connected to the COTS computing device and they are securely fastened to the ROBOT."

This would indicate that an iPhone on board is not limited by it's battery. You may have to prove that it isn't interfacing with any wireless networks and of course use the method described to connect it to LAN.

[GuardedAirplane]

Just to clarify, the I was envisioning the iPhone connect to the wifi connection of the robot radio using a static ip address just like a normal ip camera. Is that ok?

[theawesome1730]

No that's not legal. The only wireless connection allowed is the robot to FMS

[Why_A_Username?]

I'm fairly sure you can turn off wifi on the phone and connect via USB to lightning charger. not 100% on that though.

[Chris_Ely]

Also realize that iPhones cost more than $400 at retail, and would not be legal under R11. There are smart phones that retail under $400 that you could use. The better solution if you just need a camera would be to get an IP or USB camera.