[Official 2007 Game Design] Autonomy And Other Technology Discussions

[UCGL_Guy]

How about being able to find ferrous object hidden either underneath the carpet or hidden in boxes.
Keep the camera - maybe in a few more years we will be able to actually use it. We are getting closer.

[Andrew Blair]

Originally Posted by UCGL_Guy

How about being able to find ferrous object hidden either underneath the carpet or hidden in boxes.
Keep the camera - maybe in a few more years we will be able to actually use it. We are getting closer.

Thats a really good idea. Have scoring stands that have three doors on them. A release allows 1 object to be randomly placed between the three openings at a time. If you have an object detector, then you have ~ 100% chance of finding the object. However, if you don't, you may still obtain objects, but you have ~ a 30% chance of getting one.

I still thinks this puts a damper on the sheer volume of scoring we got to see this year though. That element of the game gave both drivers and spectators a treat, and I would love to see the next game include it as well.

[Zak698]

Originally Posted by dlavery

This thread is a spin-off of this discussion, and has been started to focus on suggestions for autonomous elements of the game, and other new technologies that could be introduced into the game or kit of parts. While autonomy need not be a part of a specific game, creative uses of autonomous components in any game are sought. For example, a discussion may be presented that proposes no dedicated autonomous time period during the game, but may require that a robot complete a certain function during the course of the game autonomously while other robots on the field are being controlled by their drivers. Alternately, ideas about new drive technologies (anyone know of a source for inexpensive CVTs?) or inter-robot communications may be reviewed.

-dave

Dave,
That is a grate idea! Our team and I have put a lot of thought into a better autonomous mode, much like what you are describing, using many sensors and other ways to input data and interrupt it, and also at the same time to ad void the action of other robots. I think this is a grate idea, the only problem would be for the rookie teams it a lot, but it would be a good challenge that requires lots of thought!