Programming the last thing a robot does...

[popnbrown]

Are you sure they programmed it? Once you turn off the bot there's no more code.

I would'nt do this because it may be against the rulse. But if you have a function that overrides the stop command from the field controls, and in that function you could tell it to return back to how it was.
Other than that I would just use a counter.

All though it is your team's choice, that last second may be very useful for you guys, in the sense of the game. That last second might determine who wins the game. So if you really are bored, I would just make the operator of the robot be able to control that action, instead of doing it autonomously.

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by popnbrown

Are you sure they programmed it? Once you turn off the bot there's no more code.

When a match ends the robot is still on, its just disabled. There might be some code in disabled I could look at... see if theres anything I can tweak.

Originally Posted by popnbrown

All though it is your team's choice, that last second may be very useful for you guys, in the sense of the game. That last second might determine who wins the game. So if you really are bored, I would just make the operator of the robot be able to control that action, instead of doing it autonomously.

Anything our robot does in the last second, I doubt, would change the result of the game. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that there are any "continuance" rules... if the robot stops and the ball is still going, the clock runs out and the ball scores, I don't believe that counts.

Also, when I talk about "last second", I mean the last bit of code that executes, so no driver could react that quickly, and it wouldn't waste time during the match.

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Anything our robot does in the last second, I doubt, would change the result of the game. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that there are any "continuance" rules... if the robot stops and the ball is still going, the clock runs out and the ball scores, I don't believe that counts.

Also, when I talk about "last second", I mean the last bit of code that executes, so no driver could react that quickly, and it wouldn't waste time during the match.

I dont know what your robot can do, but if you are trying to put the ball on at the end of the match or hurdle, and your code puts the robot back into its home position, and the ball falls off it could make a BIG difference. If you get it on top you get 12 points. That could change a match. When you say the last second, you will probably need to press it 1 or 2 seconds early, so the robot has time to move. Once it is disabled the motors stop. Have your strategist give the driver a count down of time and press the button at say 1 or 2 seconds left. This is my opinion as a programmer - I would rather just press the button because it is easier for me to do. This is my opinion as a driver - I want to push the button because if you know you cant possibly score you can just press the button, and if you could score, dont press it. Our team did this last year and it worked well. Just my 2 cents.
Joey

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Anything our robot does in the last second, I doubt, would change the result of the game. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that there are any "continuance" rules... if the robot stops and the ball is still going, the clock runs out and the ball scores, I don't believe that counts.

In the past the rule has been to let everything come to a complete rest. This year will be interesting to see how balls will be counted as they continue rolling on the field after the game is over.

There may actually be a rule about this already that I am unfamiliar with if someone can quote one that would be cool, but if not a Q&A question may be in order.


As far as moving everything back to a home postion after the match is over, if something is pnuematically driven you can always safely let the air out of the system, and move the components freely that are attached to them, but if it is a motor it may be more difficult unless you backdrive the motor manually (with the motors that can actually be backdriven by hand).

Always keep a tether cable handy and in the worst case scenario bring out your control panel and your tether and put your robot in the home position on the field... or carry it off the field and do it there before returning to your pit if space is a huge issue.

[psy_wombats]

Hm... I would think if there was enough time for the software to contract the robot into a movable position, there would be enough time for the driver to get one last lap or hurdle in certain instances. Anyway, why don't you use a tether once the match ends? (Wait, this is against the rules, right? Never mind.) At least you could use a tether once you're off the field, but I guess that defeats the purpose.

Or maybe instead of a button triggering the contraction of the robot, a button that prevents it? The robot automatically folds up unless told otherwise in tight situations?