[Official 2008 Game Design] New Technology Discussions

[EHaskins]

(1) Field positioning system(s)
One thing I think really needs to be added is an easy to implement, accurate, field positioning system. Many teams have been developing positioning systems, but a standardized system that any team could implement would open so many possibilities for autonomous operation.

(2)Inter-robot communitcation
Assuming a field positioning system was developed, then inter-robot communication specifically for position data would, I think, be reasonable and fairly easy to implement. Knowing the position of the other robots opens so many possibilities for autonomous modes and user control modes.

[EDIT] I don't believe inter-robot communication could be implemented for data not specified by FIRST. Un-regulated inter-robot communication could be an unfair advantage for teams which work together during the build season. [/EDIT]

(3) Processing power, and remote processors
I also would like to see the ability to have two-way communication between the robot and an off board processor, such as a laptop at the OI. The ability to have the almost unlimited processing power, compared to that of a PIC, of a laptop computer would open so many possibilities for programmers.

I see no reason why the RC programming should be limited to the embedded programming of the PIC, or a low power co-processor, when most real-world applications allow access to the processing power of one, or more, PCs.

Sorry if this is an incoherent rant.