Suggestion: Abandon the term "tele-operated"

[Tom Schindler]

Originally Posted by dlavery

It is called the "teleoperated period" because that is what it is. "Teleoperated" and "autonomous" are common, industry-standard terms used to describe the type of control used by a remotely operated device.

I believe that it is our responsibility to be as technically accurate as we can when describing what we are doing, while still communicating effectively. Sometimes that requires that we increase the knowledge of those with whom we discuss the program. Given the alternative - that we simplify our discussion of the machines we build and the games we play to the point that they lose any real meaning - it is worth the effort.

Is "teleoperated" a term that may not be completely understood by all members of the audience the first time they hear it? Perhaps. But if you see that happening, then you might consider using it as an opportunity to educate them about the technology and what we are doing. Help them understand the differences between the FIRST teams that build "teleoperators" and "robots." Explain how the very best machines for the FRC game are telerobotic devices (and for today's bit of trivia, that is a term coined about 40 years ago by Tom Sheridan from MIT - who just happens to be Woodie Flowers' office mate). With that understanding comes a new level of appreciation for the accomplishments of the teams.

I would much rather educate the audience than dumb-down the game.

-dave

Dave,

Using a term that the audience already understands does not "dumb down the game", if anything, it allows the audience to more quickly gain an understanding of what is going on. There was a push a few years ago (and is still going on i presume) to make the games easier for a television audience to understand. Your suggestion of educating the audience about the differences between teleoperated robots and autonomous robots is hard to do when the audience is behind a television screen and may not catch the one spot where the commentators explain the what "teleoperated" means.

While i agree it is our responsibility to be as technically accurate as we can be, you wouldn't go explaining the refrigeration cycle to your grandmother using terms like thermodynamic reversibility.

The term "teleoperated" has only been a confusion to the audience, and an oddity to those of us who have always known that period of the game as "operator control period" or "remote control period".

I would much rather have people understand how the game is played than be seen as presumptuous techno-geeks. If the audience is interested enough they will get learn the terminology.

-Tom