What to do when your robot loses Comms

[protoserge]

Originally Posted by Tanis

As a bonus, if you start trying to use the feedback indicators on your robot to help you, you are much more likely to put those indicators (such as the radio and the RSL) where you can actually see them. This in turn makes it much easier for the field staff to see them and help you.

QFT.

The RSL is the first indicator you should at. Learn how to read it. If you see FTA(A)s looking at your robot, that is where the problem is. If the FTA(A) comes to you first, it is your driver station.

[plnyyanks]

Originally Posted by Tanis

As a bonus, if you start trying to use the feedback indicators on your robot to help you, you are much more likely to put those indicators (such as the radio and the RSL) where you can actually see them. This in turn makes it much easier for the field staff to see them and help you.

So much this. There were so many times this year when I'd see a robot drop communication, but the radio/roboRIO were hidden deep in the robot such that you couldn't see any of the status lights. The most I can do to help in that situation is shrug and look at it after the match (which is less helpful than being able to watch the lights while the issue is occurring). This seemed be a larger problem this year with the smaller radio and smaller robots, where the electronics were crammed in anywhere they could fit.

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by hectorcastillo

I'm pretty sure xbox controllers have built in vibration. Not sure about Logitech, though. That would be really cool.

We have used the Xbox controller vibration but found its a little Finneky and behaves differently from a test Match to a real match. (we tried to make the controller vibrate during the last 20s). In the end we did use the vibration motors for fun when you pressed the shooter wheel button.

[Mark McLeod]

One thing I tell drivers when some component of their robot reboots during a match is to take it easy on the driving when it finally comes back.
If the robot has already died once from loose wires or poor power, then drive more gently, don't jam on the controls as soon as it comes back up.