Limits on objects in Alliance Station area?

[rich2202]

Rule R83 limits the size of the Operator Console, but not anything else that is held or worn by the Drivers. Are there any restrictions on what can be held or worn by the Drivers?

[Whippet]

T21 The only equipment, provided it does not jam or interfere with the remote sensing capabilities of another Team, including vision systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, infrared proximity detectors, etc. (e.g. including imagery that, to a reasonably astute observer, mimics the Vision Guides), that may be brought in to the ALLIANCE STATION are as follows:

A. the OPERATOR CONSOLE,
B. non-powered signaling devices,
C. reasonable decorative items,
D. special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability
E. devices used solely for the purpose of planning or tracking strategy provided they meet all of the following conditions:

1. do not connect or attach to the OPERATOR CONSOLE
2. do not connect or attach to the FIELD or ARENA
3. do not connect or attach to another ALLIANCE member
4. do not communicate with anything or anyone outside of the ARENA.
5. do not include any form of enabled wireless electronic communication (e.g. radios, walkie-talkies, cell phones, Bluetooth communications, Wi-Fi, etc.)
6. do not in any way affect the outcome of a MATCH, other than by allowing PLAYERS to plan or track strategy for the purposes of communication of that strategy to other ALLIANCE members..

These are the only restrictions, but pay attention to the definition of OPERATOR CONSOLE:

OPERATOR CONSOLE – the set of COMPONENTS and MECHANISMS used by the DRIVERS and/or HUMAN PLAYER to relay commands to the ROBOT.

(Emphasis mine)

This means that the argument can made that if whatever is being worn by the drivers is not used to assist in controlling the ROBOT, it can be ruled illegal.

[K-Dawg157]

Originally Posted by rich2202

Rule R83 limits the size of the Operator Console, but not anything else that is held or worn by the Drivers. Are there any restrictions on what can be held or worn by the Drivers?

As far as I know, there usually isn't a whole of rules about what they wear but they have to have safety glasses on whenever they are close to the field, and those safety glasses can't be tinted or anything that would obscure the driver's eyes.

I'm pretty sure you can wear almost anything beyond that (that is appropriate that is). For example, if you wanted to have a costume for when you get introduced, you can wear anything.

Just be appropriate.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

This should be a question for the Q&A. This will be complicated by the requirements for autonomous.

[rich2202]

Under T21, it seems like a camera mounted on a pole would be possible.

It could either be:
1) a signaling device (generates video signals) that connects to the operator's console (console mounted tablet or 2nd notebook); or
2) non-connecting device that is used for "tracking strategy" purposes (tracking the progress of the robot, or viewing the status of the field, is fundamental to tracking strategy). Hand held tablet could display the video feed.

A bird's eye view might be helpful if stacks start blocking the view of the field.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Rich,
Is this what you are pointing at?

T21 The only equipment, provided it does not jam or interfere with the remote sensing capabilities of another Team, including vision
systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, infrared proximity detectors, etc. (e.g. including imagery that, to a reasonably astute
observer, mimics the Vision Guides), that may be brought in to the ALLIANCE STATION are as follows:
A. the OPERATOR CONSOLE,
B. non-powered signaling devices,
C. reasonable decorative items,
D. special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability
E. devices used solely for the purpose of planning or tracking strategy provided they meet all of the following conditions:
1. do not connect or attach to the OPERATOR CONSOLE
2. do not connect or attach to the FIELD or ARENA
3. do not connect or attach to another ALLIANCE member
4. do not communicate with anything or anyone outside of the ARENA.
5. do not include any form of enabled wireless electronic communication (e.g. radios, walkie-talkies, cell phones,
Bluetooth communications, Wi-Fi, etc.)
6. do not in any way affect the outcome of a MATCH, other than by allowing PLAYERS to plan or track strategy for the
purposes of communication of that strategy to other ALLIANCE members..

[AllenGregoryIV]

My team was kicking around the idea of a webcam mounted on a pole that is part of the OPERATOR CONSOLE. Currently there is only a length and width requirement but no height for the OPERATOR CONSOLE. Since there aren't goals above you anymore, there shouldn't be anything preventing it from being at 9 or 10+ ft and giving a video feed down to the driver station laptop. I don't see anything in the current rules that would disallow this since it's just an elevated webcam and most of the driver station laptops have webcams built in anyway. This is definitely something the Q&A could rule illegal or just be illegal for safety reasons.

[Carol]

If you do decide to use something nonstandard, it is always a good idea to get permission from the FTA/Inspector/Head Referee BEFORE your first match. Preferably during practice.

[rich2202]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Rich,
Is this what you are pointing at? ..

Yes, the two options are:
1) If it is attached to the Operator Console, then it has to be "B. non-powered signaling device". A web cam powered through the USB port is no different from an x-box controller. By non-powered, I assume they meant having its own battery, or plugged in. Technically, a mechanical switch is powered since there has to be a voltage differential across the switch to determine if it is open or closed.

2) If it is not attached to the Operator Console, then it has to be an E device, which is held, and used for tracking purposes. In that instance, a web cam attached to a tablet should work.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by rich2202

Yes, the two options are:
1) If it is attached to the Operator Console, then it has to be "B. non-powered signaling device". A web cam powered through the USB port is no different from an x-box controller. By non-powered, I assume they meant having its own battery, or plugged in. Technically, a mechanical switch is powered since there has to be a voltage differential across the switch to determine if it is open or closed.

The Operator Console is separate from a "Non-powered signaling device". A non-powered signaling device is like sign. Things attached to the operator console include the laptop, controllers, buttons, handles, sheet metal, pelican cases, etc. If the webcam were attached to the operator console it is allowed to have power. Teams put GoPros in their driver station to record matches regularly.

[phurley67]

B. non-powered signaling devices,

Guess we have to go with mirror periscopes.

[RunawayEngineer]

Originally Posted by phurley67

Guess we have to go with mirror periscopes.

The Litter Chutes must now be referred to as Torpedo Tubes.

[AndyBare]

Last year, my team made a playbook type paper book where we found
1. Every type of alliance and robot combination possible - whether it be three unable to shoot, two able to shoot one that could herd, etc.
and
2. The maximum cycle score for each setup and which zone it would be best to put each bot into during the match.

Ex. Pushing robot goes from zone 1 to zone 2 and gives to shooter, who trusses to another robot who shoots high.

After memorizing every scenario, we would go to our alliance partners with an ipad before the match and get everyone "placed out" on the field and given their position. Our coach then brought the ipad to the field so that he could continue to communicate the plan with the other coaches during the match.

It worked well, and was a great idea - drastically increase alliance work between the teams, and I assumed that this new rule was focused around the introduction of white boards, ipads, etc. into the alliance stations.

I'm saying this because last year it was pretty sketch because it wasn't in the rules that we were allowed to have them, but nothing said we couldn't. So now we have some solid ground there.

[1uan]

What about the human player, could they have some kind of mechanism to throw or launch the noodle into the opponents field.

[rich2202]

Originally Posted by 1uan

What about the human player, could they have some kind of mechanism to throw or launch the noodle into the opponents field.

Which T21 section would cover the device?