<R79> and Coaches with Portable Computers

[Guy Davidson]

<R79> Teams are permitted to connect a portable computing device (Laptop computer, PDAs, etc.)to the RS232 Output of the dashboard port of the Operator Interface for the purpose of displaying feedback from the ROBOT while participating in competition matches. Please note that AC power will not be available at the playing field so these devices will have to run on internal batteries.

The above is the only reference to laptops and similar devices being on the field with teams. Our team is in the process of designing a program that will help a coach keep track of the rack and make strategy decisions in real time. However due to this ruling, we aren't sure if we could actually bring that out with the coach on the field.

What is your interpretation of the rule? Will teams be allowed to bring portable devices out, with all wireless connections disabled? Or perhaps you think that the only laptops on the field will be ones connected to the RS232 and only displaying that?

-Guy

[+()c|D]

It seems that the only way you could bring it out is if it is attached to the RS232.

Would it be possible to access the video off of the robot on the laptop through the RS232, I kinda dont know what that thing is.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by +()c|D

Would it be possible to access the video off of the robot on the laptop through the RS232, I kinda dont know what that thing is.

This has been asked myriad times before. The general consensus is that there's not nearly enough bandwidth for that.

[Tottanka]

well, is it possible to connect a pocket pc then?

[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

well, is it possible to connect a pocket pc then?

Problem with that is I think then its considered part of the controls, and if memory serves coaches must not have any contact with the controls.

However to answer your question, if you had software to read the data packets, you could use a Pocket PC.

[+()c|D]

Originally Posted by jgannon

This has been asked myriad times before. The general consensis is that there's not nearly enough bandwidth for that.

Would there be any other type of device that could view these videos in real time in the pit?

[Kevin Sevcik]

Connecting it to the RS232 won't pass muster under that rule. It has to be connected for the express purpose of monitoring the dashboard. Duct taping a cord to the back and plugging it into the OI doesn't count.

The rules simply don't cover the question, and so the question needs to be asked. If Q&As are ever up.

[Guy Davidson]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Connecting it to the RS232 won't pass muster under that rule. It has to be connected for the express purpose of monitoring the dashboard. Duct taping a cord to the back and plugging it into the OI doesn't count.

The rules simply don't cover the question, and so the question needs to be asked. If Q&As are ever up.

That's what I was hoping to avoid. Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait for an official Q&A.

[mdicicco]

Wow, this just strikes me as a bad idea.

I would think it's still possible to program buttons on the existing UI to port through the controller, over the RS232, and into a waiting computer.

Once you can do that, there's nothing to stop teams from writing programs to monitor the playing field and calculate (in real time) the optimal location for placing a ringer or spoiler. Or, on the defensive side, calculating the location where your opponent could do the same.

I can envision a button box with 3 rows of 8 toggle switches to indicate which rack positions are red/blue/empty. That data gets routed through the dashboard port to a waiting computer that spits out a strategy.

Is this possible? I hope not.