M$ Kinect controlling robots!

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by biojae

Who says it has to be on the robot?
Why not use it as it was designed, and have your drivers be the controllers?

Originally Posted by basicxman

That's exactly what I was saying; I realize that it is probably not FIRST-competition reliable but would still be cool in other environments.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The Kinect sense has a practical ranging limit of 1.2–3.5 metres (3.9–11 ft) distance

Standing far enough back from the controls for Kinect to properly sensor a driver means that driver has to stand at the very rear of the driver's station. Additionally, both the Driver Coach and the other Driver have to make sure they do not interfere with Kinect's imaging. Finally, every couple of years the human players are also confined to the driver's station; thus any of the HP's movement would have to keep from interfering with the Kinect as well.

By all means file it under 'neat' and 'innovative' -- so long as it's not within a competition robot driver controls context.

[Mark McLeod]

Using it on the driver station would also seem to be in technical violation of the Autonomous rules, where you would be able to use the controls from behind the autonomous driver line.

[davidthefat]

https://github.com/OpenKinect/libfreenect

Thats the working link.

Now how would we change the motors to legal ones?

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

https://github.com/OpenKinect/libfreenect

Thats the working link.

Now how would we change the motors to legal ones?

The two options I would look at would be ditching the motors altogether or attaching some type of servo powered pan-tilt mount externally. I haven't yet gotten the chance to pull one apart, but the images I've seen seem to suggest that it's packed pretty tight so fitting a servo inside the base may be difficult or impossible.

[davidthefat]

Actually I ditch the idea of kinect all together, going back to my old idea which seems like the best way for me

[NickE]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

Using it on the driver station would also seem to be in technical violation of the Autonomous rules, where you would be able to use the controls from behind the autonomous driver line.

In theory, the coach could also control the robot, which could be an issue.