USB Joystick adapter is here!

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by Dennis Jenks

I'm pretty sure most teams would be OK with being somewhere between Division by Zero and Cheesy Poofs!

LOL

[Kingofl337]

You are correct Mike the OI does see a limited value from the controller. We wrote software to translate the variations into "steps" 5 to - 5 and this works fine, this is what we used on our 2006 robot that used to play the whole 2006 on and off season. You are also right about 127 had to program the code so that when it read 127 (unplugged) to send neutral to the motors. Otherwise the robot would take off when the controller was unplugged.

Mike,

The big question is are you working with FIRST/IFI to get your adapter legal
for competition? If you are working with them have they been receptive to
the idea?

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by Kingofl337

You are correct Mike the OI does see a limited value from the controller. We wrote software to translate the variations into "steps" 5 to - 5 and this works fine, this is what we used on our 2006 robot that used to play the whole 2006 on and off season. You are also right about 127 had to program the code so that when it read 127 (unplugged) to send neutral to the motors. Otherwise the robot would take off when the controller was unplugged.

I guess you don't really need the full 127 step range. Our team only uses two anyway. Go and Stop.

Hey, what kind of answer did you expect from a hardware guy. lol

Originally Posted by Kingofl337

The big question is are you working with FIRST/IFI to get your adapter legal for competition? If you are working with them have they been receptive to the idea?

We have been working with IFI. They have been very helpfull. I do not have an answer for you as far as legality.

[Mike Copioli]

Ok, We have updated our user manual. It should be available for viewing tommorow by clicking the tutorials link. The pdf contains an explaination of USB-chicklet, directions for it's use and a list of supported devices. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions for improvement. Also available for viewing is a FAQ.

Thank you,

Mike Copioli
CTRE Hardware Engineer/Developer
Team #217 The Thunder Chickens

[Tottanka]

Hm...
Why is it so expansive?
For an Israeli team each one of those devices will coast about 200$...thats very expansive for such a thing...

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

Hm...
Why is it so expansive?
For an Israeli team each one of those devices will coast about 200$...thats very expansive for such a thing...

The device is price is determined by the folowing factors:

1. Cost of the components to manufacture each device.

2. Availablitity of the components necessary to build the device.

3. Total quantity produced

4. Time and money spent on research and development

This is a complicated and unique device. It will allow you to use devices like the X-box controller, wireless and wired Logitech gamepads, The Logitech steering wheel, and numerous USB joysticks. Nothing else like it exists. Now having made that statement, I know someone will try to compare it to similar devices. When doing this one must consider the following:

1. This is an Embedded USB hosting device. That means it does not require an operating system like Windows or Linix.

2. This is not the same thing as a USB to Serial adapter. Serial adapters are not USB hosts. Devices are much less complicated than a Host and require less hardware to build. Yet they are still about 40-50 USD.

3. It performs all of the USB host negotiating and data transfer and then converts it to analog and digital information that is directly connected to the IFI operator interface.

We have determined a price that we feel is fair and consistant with the products ability and functionallity. There are good reasons this technology has not existed until now.

Think about what it costs to go to a concert, or dinnner at a nice restraunt. In comparison, the cost of this device is not unreasonable.

Thank you,

Mike Copioli

[DanDon]

Mike, do you know what the availability of this chicklet will be? (will there be enough for at least one per team?)

thanks,
/dan

[chris31]

Originally Posted by dhoizner

Mike, do you know what the availability of this chicklet will be? (will there be enough for at least one per team?)

thanks,
/dan

I really dont think the demand will be that high. We will see though.

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by chris31

I really dont think the demand will be that high. We will see though.

It would be pretty cool if they were included in the kit of parts, but that would be a rather expensive item to add. It might be worth it though, because then you could open up a whole new range of ways to control the robots.

[chris31]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

It would be pretty cool if they were included in the kit of parts, but that would be a rather expensive item to add. It might be worth it though, because then you could open up a whole new range of ways to control the robots.

$130 x 1000. Yeah thats quite a bit of money. FIRST wants to get the most bang for the buck. I dont think theres a major issue with what is out there for controls now to need the extra cost. However, if FIRST would do this i doubt they would but from this company. Instead I would think IFI would design something and make it internal on the OI.

[Michael Hill]

Is it possible to run multiple joysticks through a USB hub using only one unit?

[Kingofl337]

Originally Posted by chris31

$130 x 1000. Yeah thats quite a bit of money. FIRST wants to get the most bang for the buck. I dont think theres a major issue with what is out there for controls now to need the extra cost. However, if FIRST would do this i doubt they would but from this company. Instead I would think IFI would design something and make it internal on the OI.

I really don't foresee that happening.

The reason being is the current system is extremely easy wire, for teams that want custom controls. By going USB for OI controls, teams would have to either rip apart off the shelf controllers or program their own HID compliant chip. For 95% of the teams the current system works very well. Mike's device fills a need, it would be nice to see it streamlined into a nice case and pull power from the OI.

I just hope this device convinces IFI to allow for externally powered control interfaces. So we can can use the Wii remote to drive the robot this year .

[chris31]

Originally Posted by Kingofl337

I just hope this convinces IFI to allow for externally powered control interfaces. So we can can use the Wii remote to drive the robot this year .

At first I was like well Ill just wire it off the OI and then I realized that you cant use wireless (a had a bluetooth board designed to interface with the robot) and so you would have a wiimote with wires all going to the OI. While its cool because its the wiimote, you might as well just custom design something that will work better for what we need.

[Kingofl337]

Originally Posted by chris31

At first I was like well Ill just wire it off the OI and then I realized that you cant use wireless (a had a bluetooth board designed to interface with the robot) and so you would have a wiimote with wires all going to the OI. While its cool because its the wiimote, you might as well just custom design something that will work better for what we need.

Yeah, I was just thinking that, the Wii remote isn't as cool wired. But, a rumble ch flight stick would be cool or a force feed back driving wheel.

[chris31]

Originally Posted by Kingofl337

Yeah, I was just thinking that, the Wii remote isn't as cool wired. But, a rumble ch flight stick would be cool or a force feed back driving wheel.

Cool idea. Rip out the rumble motor of any joystick that has once and mount it inside your joystick. I think most probably run off 5v.