Fully autonomous robots?

[sburro]

Originally Posted by Mike

I was thinking about how, this year, FIRST has shifted autonomous into user controlled mode. I foresee that many robots will be a hybrid of both technologies. User-controlled driving and autonomous-controlled shooting. Now, what if you programmed in an object avoidance system? What if you programmed your robot to try to evade all large objects (robots) coming at it and pick up all small objects (balls)? This pretty much eliminates all the necessity for a driver during offense.

So, the focus of this thread is:
Do you think an offensively autonomous robot is feasible?
If so, do you think it would be competitive?
If not feasible, why not? What specific function could a robot do that a human could not?

I would also like to add that FIRST exist to get students interested in science and technology. A fully auto mode I think would take some of the fun away from this.

[sanddrag]

It would be very difficult for an autonomous robot to adjust it's strategy mid-match to account for varying field conditions and scoring status. This is something a driver can do quite easily.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

It would be very difficult for an autonomous robot to adjust it's strategy mid-match to account for varying field conditions and scoring status. This is something a driver can do quite easily.

Well, this varies from robot to robot. If your robot is one that can do everything (defend, pick up balls to throw into corner goals, shoot balls, etc.) then yes, this system may not be for you. However, if your robot only does one thing (shooting balls) all it has to do is pick up balls and shoot. I don't know what you mean by "varying field conditions." If there is a broken down robot in the way, it would treat it the same way as anything else and avoid it.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by sburro

I would also like to add that FIRST exist to get students interested in science and technology. A fully auto mode I think would take some of the fun away from this.

On the contrary, I think a lot of people on other teams would be like "Woah! I wish our robot could do that!", thus inspiring them to create systems similar to this on their own.