NEW 2009 Control System Released

[BHOP]

WOW

[Adam Y.]

It's running the same operating system that Spirit and Opportunity uses. Heh.. I was right when I guessed that FIRST was trying to unify the three programs.

[basicxman]

just saw the webcast...speechless...amazing!!!

[jwfoss]

looks good from the webcast although they didn't get the tracking to work to shoot at the target. I wonder how much it weighs compared to the whole old system, it looks like it might be bigger also?

[Hiteak]

wow. I wish I could play around with the new system now. You can only image where the games will be going now with the new control system.

[Adam Y.]

Originally Posted by Billfred

One thing I found interesting is here; the motors in the picture on the second slide are being powered by Victors. Of course, they're also running AndyMark omniwheels in the picture, but it might be a point of data. (I haven't seen anything about how they're driving motors with this system, though I did just wake up.)

There is an operator interface Also, Victors may be used next year according to this. Aparently, there was no animosity between FIRST and IFI.

But I agree, we'll be getting a lower priced custom module. Should be fun.

No. It's the controller that Mike linked to according to the above FAQ.

[Scott L.]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

There is an operator interface

No. It's the controller that Mike linked to according to the above FAQ.

I so want one of these
I can see an arena control system that is almost purely software based, maybe another NI controller in the arena control box.

I hope the price is real cheap for FIRST Teams.

[Greg Marra]

I've played around with a cRio as part of my Robotics course this semester, and they are pretty awesome. I think teams are going to have a good time developing complex software based on top of these. LabView takes a few days to get used to, but its very powerful and allows you to think about your code in a very different way than writing C. I think next year we're going to see robots doing things in autonomous no one ever could have imagined with the current control system.

[ebmonon36]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

looks good from the webcast although they didn't get the tracking to work to shoot at the target. I wonder how much it weighs compared to the whole old system, it looks like it might be bigger also?

Assuming it is an 8-slot and it wasn't weight optimized for FIRST:

Weight (8-slot, typical w/ modules) : 2.48kg (5.46 lb)
Dimensions (8-slot) 274 by 88.1 by 88.1 mm (10.79 by 3.47 by 3.47 in.)

[Mr. Lim]

Originally Posted by SlimBoJones

Ruggedness such that we can reuse the same controller year after year?

I'm curious to know if they are considering not giving us a new controller each year? It's a nice luxury...

I'll answer my own question:

Q Will I get a new controller in each year’s kit?

A Because of the ruggedness of CompactRIO, teams will be able to reuse their controller in competition years beyond 2009. However FIRST may decide to introduce new cRIO modules to the system specific to a future year game design.

from

http://first.wpi.edu/2009_FRC_Controller_FAQ_FINAL.pdf

Not that I think it's a huge deal, but it was very nice accumulating more than a few sets of controls over the years at no extra charge. Prototyping and practice robots became much easier to do.

[Freddy Schurr]

Is there video of Dean Kamen introducing it?

[Mike AA]

Supposedly the videos will be up on FIRST's website around noon.

-Mike

[whytheheckme]

Check out the stuff in the lower righthand corner of this page:

http://first.wpi.edu/FRC/cstechnical.html


All of the components with High-res images are there!!!

And regarding weight,

Weighs approx 2 lb (chassis only)

This is the most exciting day of my life.
-Jacob

[Taylor]

That sound you heard was the jaws of my students hitting the floor.

[Richard Wallace]

The WPI demo robot is very cool.