A little question about the autonomous mode

[Anton]

In the default code the autonomous mode depends on a variable(autonomous_mode). Logically, it should turn the autonomous mode on or off.
I'd really like to know if there is a built-in timer( to decide if it's autonomous mode or not), or should I include my own?
also, there should be some way to activate the autonomous mode(and the robot itself, too) after the robot was turned on(after all, the team is supposed to be away from the robot, so we can't make it start right after it is turned on). What i'd like to know is do I need to devise my own way or is there on in the default mode?