Using the USB Chicklet with a steering wheel

[synth3tk]

Ok, we're thinking about steering wheels also. Just making sure that pedals on the floor are legal, even if we stand up. Otherwise someone will have to control it on the shelf.

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by blakcheez

Ok, we're thinking about steering wheels also. Just making sure that pedals on the floor are legal, even if we stand up. Otherwise someone will have to control it on the shelf.

Please read this Q&A response
Basically The Driver has to hold the Pedals during Hybrid

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

Please read this Q&A response
Basically The Driver has to hold the Pedals during Hybrid

Thanks for the clarification!

[daneelshof]

I can tell you from experience that the Logitech Nascar Steering Wheel works well with the robots, however it was a lot of work and basically had to focus on it for the entire build season. Here are some things to think about:

1. With skid steering (either 4-6 Wheels or tank treads) the zero-turn radius of the robot will not be as intuitive as two joysticks.
2. The steering wheel is much more accurate, linear, and stable with regards to PWM signals to the controller than any joystick I have tried.
3. There are two pedals to work with (possible reverse accelerator).
4. There are shift paddles and several other buttons on the wheel, however you must figure out bit masks to use many of these buttons because they are passed to the controller through the unused y axis.

Don't be afraid of standing while using the pedals on the floor, and remember to give your drivers time to practise and take their feedback to improve the system. Oh, and make sure to thoroughly read and understand the chicklet documentation.

Regards, Dane Elshof (Mentor Team 1619)

[synth3tk]

Thanks. We are making a pretty customized OI this year, including the steering wheel/pedals. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

[Mike Copioli]

As of now, The USB Chicklet only supports the NASCAR racing wheel. It is my understanding that that device is no longer in production. When developing the Chicklet we wanted to support a variety of control devices. Ironically we picked the NASCAR racing wheel because of it's availability. We do write custom drivers if there is a particular device a team would like supported. There is a charge for this service. It is $25, per device, per Chicklet and $10 for any additional Chicklets. The device must be of the HID class.