Minibot Standardization (FRC 2011: Logomotion)

[ChristopherBuck]

Originally Posted by EricH

If you standardize minibot activation on the minibot, teams have to design for that. If you standardize a deployment that can accept any minibot, and have activation be automatic on the minibot, that's easier to do.

How about standardizing that all compliant hostbots will be able to provide a quick-detach DIO clip and a dead man switch for minibots to use for activation, as well as a 12"x12"x12" bay for the minibot for the duration of the match. At endgame, the Hostbots would then place minibots on the tower and provide an activation signal via the DIO line, and then (If connected) disconnect the DIO line or dead-man switch. Of course, the minibots would not have to use these activation methods, and could choose to activate themselves by detecting the presence of the pole. A standard such as this allows many different implementations of minibots and delivery systems to be compatible.