What new technology will FIRST have this year?

[Michael Hill]

Will FIRST introduce a new piece of technology for us to try out? Or will it be an off-year, like last year? The newer pieces of technology I'm talking about include the cameras, auto-balancing, etc. Not that these are necessarily new technologies to the rest of a world, but in the FIRST robotics world they are. I say last year was an off-year, because the game wasn't based on getting the new technology to work, it was based on playing the game and getting a new game idea to work.

[Billfred]

One thing I'm hopeful for next year isn't a new thing to FIRST, but it's been noticeably absent for a few years: line tracking. Don't get me wrong, I like the CMUcam, but it would be so nice to have an alternative in case either the programmers can't get it working or the strategy doesn't coincide with how they're using the camera this year. (Dumpers, anyone?)

[Bill_Hancoc]

I think that they are going to make us sense some moving field element in real time, kind of like the green light but it will be moving.
Similier to the moving goals some years ago, they would give us some new tool to sense where those were. (sorry if didnt get the game right i never was part of it i just heard about it.)

[team222badbrad]

All first teams will be limited to use only the Segway RMP as a drivetrain.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

All first teams will be limited to use only the Segway RMP as a drivetrain.

Powered by Fuel Cells?
(I think this needs to go in the Rumor Mill section now. We have officially crossed that line.)

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Powered by Fuel Cells?
(I think this needs to go in the Rumor Mill section now. We have officially crossed that line.)

<offtopic>Actually, a group down in Engineering here at USC is working on just that. Except for the human version. </offtopic>

[Andrew Blair]

Honestly, I'm hoping there isn't a new tech. introduction, just an expansion on the current one. Teams have barely started to actually implement the camera, let alone use it to it's full potential. I am very impressed that they included the sensors last year as well- I'm in favor of a game that makes use of additional sensors too. Maybe not many in combination, but of different ones. (Balance ramp and a light?)

Anyways, I think we'll be playing BatonBlitz this year anyways. I like it!

[Koko Ed]

I don't know what will be new I just hope it works and doesn't cause the game to come to a screeching halt. It's nice to have new technology and all but I think FIRST gets too complicated for it's own good and if something goes wrong it brings the whole thing to a grind. Sometimes simplicity is the best feature you can show off.

[RoboMadi]

Heres my guess (and yes its in directly from Dave, as he made me think about it)

Obviously some sort of sensors.......... mainly to prevent running into other stuff (robots, elements, etc). Or some sort of technology that will prevent a robot from entering or running into a certain area; and if a robot does, it will lose points.

Last May, during Space Day, Dave came to me and told me about how he was talking to Woodie on the phone and 612's ElectronicBabyWalker might have helped shaping 2007 game.......


Imad


PS just a guess, don't take it seriously........
PPS Dave, don't kill me if this happens to be right....

[Lil' Lavery]

http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2007/greenmachine.htm
not every team, but still new tech in FIRST

[Rob2713g]

I have a feeling that they will include a sonar sensor.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Rob2713g

I have a feeling that they will include a sonar sensor.

actually, they already have those. You are allowed to use the vex ultrasonic sensors.

[Bongle]

I don't think it will be anything active or something that physically interacts with the robots. Powering and maintaining a moving <anything> on the field over 100 matches would be pretty much impossible.

However, based on the pre-einstein presentation at the championship, it seems that moving lights or changing colors might be in the cards. In that case, I wouldn't be surprised to see an array of lights above targets, with the light indicating which one to score in. Autonomous robots would have to score in the lit goal for bonus points or something like that.

An extension of this first idea would be to have infrared lights above a series of targets. Drivers would not be able to see which is lit, but an infrared-sensing camera on the robot would be able to. Scoring into the lit goal would give bonus points.

[Graham Donaldson]

Originally Posted by Bongle

An extension of this first idea would be to have infrared lights above a series of targets. Drivers would not be able to see which is lit, but an infrared-sensing camera on the robot would be able to. Scoring into the lit goal would give bonus points.

Please- let's not give Dave any ideas!!!!

[not for Dave to read] it would be cool (and tricky) though [/not for Dave to read]

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by RoboMadi

Heres my guess (and yes its in directly from Dave, as he made me think about it)

Obviously some sort of sensors.......... mainly to prevent running into other stuff (robots, elements, etc). Or some sort of technology that will prevent a robot from entering or running into a certain area; and if a robot does, it will lose points.

Last May, during Space Day, Dave came to me and told me about how he was talking to Woodie on the phone and 612's ElectronicBabyWalker might have helped shaping 2007 game.......

What!! No!! Don't tell me the game pieces next year will be human babies! That will be the hardest game ever!

Jk

On a serious note, I would like to see a vision system that is easier to program. The camera they provided this year was great, but my team didn't have a hope of using it. I think it would be neat if they gave us something a bit easier, and perhaps a bit more reliable