Programming Minibot

[AlftanSr]

Why do you need to program the minibot? You're allowed a light switch!

[Ethan E]

I think the GDC needs to be a little more careful with ROBOT vs. HOSTBOT. <R45> says that only CIM motors and the BaneBots motors are allowed on the ROBOTS. But since the MINIBOT is part of the ROBOT (ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT), and <R92> doesn't say that either of these can be used on the MINIBOT, NO motors are legal for the MINIBOT. Of course, I don't think anyone is going to use <R45> on the minibots, but we shouldn't have to take a loose interpretation of the rules.

In the same vein, <R03-B> prohibits custom circuits and COTS electronics from affecting any outputs on the ROBOT. But the MINIBOT is part of the ROBOT (can you see where this is going?) and as the NXT controller isn't in the KOP, it's a COTS electronics item. And a limit switch wired to the motors would be a custom circuit! I can't figure out any way to control a completely autonomous MINIBOT legally!

Ok, I'll stop being such a smart-aleck now.

On a more serious note, obviously an exception will be made for the motors, and we'll be able to control the MINIBOT with an NXT controller, but will we be able to control the MINIBOT with a custom circuit and NO NXT controller?

[treffk]

From what I'm reading on FTC I'm seeing you can only program the FTC NXT brick with LabView or RobotC. What my question is, can you interchangeably go back in forth between the NXT-G and RobotC on the NXT brick as long as you have both firmwares?

[Greg McKaskle]

LabVIEW and NXT-G use the LEGO firmware. RobotC uses a specific firmware image.

You can change the firmware pretty much as often as you like with no problems. Use the correct firmware and tool combination.

Greg McKaskle

[prattster1995]

sorry unrelated question but how do you start a forum or thread on chief delphi?

[byteit101]

you can even use NXJ leJOS (Java), which I've found is fairly nice (though I have not played with it in forever )

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Ethan E

I think the GDC needs to be a little more careful with ROBOT vs. HOSTBOT. <R45> says that only CIM motors and the BaneBots motors are allowed on the ROBOTS. But since the MINIBOT is part of the ROBOT (ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT), and <R92> doesn't say that either of these can be used on the MINIBOT, NO motors are legal for the MINIBOT.
and as the NXT controller isn't in the KOP, it's a COTS electronics item. And a limit switch wired to the motors would be a custom circuit! I can't figure out any way to control a completely autonomous MINIBOT legally!

Ethan by now I think you have figured out these dilemmas but as many teams seem to be struggling with this apparent discrepancy, here is a reminder. 4.3.14 MINIBOT modifies the rules as they pertain to the minibot only. That is this section specifies the battery that is used, the materials that are allowed and the modification that limit switches and light switches may be used to effect the minibot motors directly or through an NXT brick. Some may have also picked up on the NXT brick being a COTS computing device. When inspecting minibots, inspectors will use this section as modified throughout the season in Team Updates, as the basis for their inspection. There will be an separate inspection sheet and process for minibots.

[cilginbilgin]

can we use "lego mindstorms nxt" for progromming the minibot (we do not know much thing about ftc) and how can we use "tetrix dc drive motor" with nxt --- is it similar with "nxt interactive servo motor".....

[Al Skierkiewicz]

C,
You may use NXT but you are not required to use NXT. If you decide to use NXT, you must use the FTC motor controller to drive the motor(s).

[cilginbilgin]

can we use "lego mindstorms nxt" for programming the minibot ---- how can we use tetrix dc drive motor with nxt--- is it similar with nxt interactive servo motor...

[Techhexium]

Here is how you configure a TETRIX testbed so you can see what part is connected to another.

[Eagleeyedan]

I'd think you'd just use the NXT-G or Labview. Robot-C works on it and so does Java though. We are just not using the NXT on our minibot. Adds too much wieght wich slows it down.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Techhexium

Here is how you configure a TETRIX testbed so you can see what part is connected to another.

Thanks. I took the liberty of adding a few annotations to your picture.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by cilginbilgin

can we use "lego mindstorms nxt" for programming the minibot ---- how can we use tetrix dc drive motor with nxt--- is it similar with nxt interactive servo motor...

Yes, "lego mindstorms nxt" is the name of the NXT-G integrated development environment. The dc drive motors are not very similar to the interactive servo motors at all (in terms of control) and cannot be programed with the same NXT-g programming block. The blocks you are looking for can be found here.

[Techhexium]

Originally Posted by PAR_WIG1350

Yes, "lego mindstorms nxt" is the name of the NXT-G integrated development environment. The dc drive motors are not very similar to the interactive servo motors at all (in terms of control) and cannot be programed with the same NXT-g programming block. The blocks you are looking for can be found here.

Lego Mindstorms NXT is the robotics kit made by Lego, and NXT-G is the name of the IDE. RobotC may also be used if you're more familiar with text-based programming or C++