pic: Team 548's Arm Controls

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by MasonMM

very innovative idea. But i'm curious, how effective is it, as opposed to say using a model of an arm with pots on it like some teams, or just using the standard joystick? Any problems or regrets? or is everything about it awesome?

It works extremely well, we've been to finals at Great Lakes & Boilermaker and haven't had any problems with the controls. This is the first time our team has done something special for controls, previously we've just had switches & joysticks. I'd say its better than a mini-arm for visual & reaction. You want the arm up, just lift up your arm vs. a mini-arm would be hard to telescope and rotate one thing and keep its position.

We had to use a joystick before the wearable controls were done and it was a nightmare trying to control the thing. When we're stacking you can get familiar with the arm positions that work best and you just have to get your arm at that angle, with a joystick it's very hard to get back to the same spot. I'd say the wearable controls are 100 times better than a joystick. We've never done anything with a mini-arm, but I think it would be awkward to handle and only a bit better than a joystick.

We haven't had any problems, everything has worked fine. Matt just can't get excited and wave his arms around, and we have to be careful not to bump into him while he's wearing the controls.

I'd say no regrets, the controls have been a neat feature that helps contribute to one heck of a robot.

Lindsey