Danger in Disconnected IR Receiver

[Mark McLeod]

I've been concerned about the inherent dangers inadvertently introduced by Team Update #6's ruling that the IR Receivers must be physically disconnected from the robot while in the Pit.

The intent is admirable, however, the execution method is dangerous.

Every programmer should be aware that a physically disconnected IR Receiver will look to the code as if every IR command has been simultaneously selected.

The danger of course is that if your code simply checks to see if a pin is ==1, then you'll begin executing the first command you check. If you plan to use the IR in Teleop mode, then your robot will take off as soon as you turn it on in the pit. If you use IR only in Hybrid mode, then your robot will take off as soon as the Competition Port Auto switch is thrown.

Please design your code to check for and reject multiply selected IR commands.

P.S. And stand clear of the team in the next pit who won't test this ahead of time and will find out the hard way Thursday morning of the Regional.