Hanging on the pole

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Posted by paul.

Student on team #349, RoBahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Company.

Posted on 1/24/2000 2:50 PM MST



We will have the power turned back on to remove our robot from the pole correct???

paul

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Posted by Al Peter.

Student on team #21, ComBBAT, from Titusville High School and Boeing/Nasa.

Posted on 1/24/2000 3:01 PM MST


In Reply to: Hanging on the pole posted by paul on 1/24/2000 2:50 PM MST:



Last year, they allowed power to lower our robot from the pole (ours didn't climb on the puck, it latched and raised from the pole)... I would assume that they will let you use power to lower yourself again this year.

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Posted by Joe Johnson.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 1/24/2000 5:38 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Hanging on the Pole posted by Al Peter on 1/24/2000 3:01 PM MST:



This is not certain.

If FIRST fully intends on keeping the 5 minute cycle time, they may not have time actually give people power in order to get down. The rules ask us to please make our robots so that they don't require power after the match. 'PLEASE' is not exactly a 'THOU SHALT' but it is close enough to give me worries.

I suggest that if you need power to get down, make sure you have a long enough tether cord so that you can power up your Operator Interface from the robot battery and thus move to a safe position.

Joe J.

P.S. I am very happy that FIRST's controller allows the OI to be powered via the RI. This will be extremely useful in line, in the pits or anywhere we need to check out our robots away from convenient 110VAC power.

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Posted by Michael Betts.

Engineer on team #177, Bobcat Robotics, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.

Posted on 1/24/2000 6:37 PM MST


In Reply to: Maybe not with only 5 minute cycle... posted by Joe Johnson on 1/24/2000 5:38 PM MST:



My feeling is that making robots which 'don't require power after the match' is wishful thinking on FIRST's part.

Removing a robot from the bar is entirely doable, but only part of the problem. Most motors will be geared so that they are very powerful and/or retain a given attitude when powered down. The window motors will not 'break' at all without power.

I really don't envision robots being removed from the field without resuming a 'stowed' position. I think we may see a lot of pulled backs, dropped robots and 'clocked' bystanders if we try moving robots in extended positions.

Also, I'm not sure that running a tether to a robot is any faster than just having FIRST re-apply power. In fact, it is probably much slower.

If FIRST is going to pick up time, it's in having a game which is easier to judge. This, they have done. However, because the second field is not 'set up and ready to go' immediately, I think that the cycle times will be greater this year than next.

Mike

Post Script, I agree, the OI power is going to be a blessing!