Our team is currently working on vision tracking using the Kinect. To communicate with the Kinect and possibly conduct vision processing we would like to use a small netbook.
Is this allowed under FRC rules? We won’t be using the netbook to do anything but vision processing i.e. no motor controls.
Thanks,
adlasa
Yes as long as it costs less than 400$ however it is hard to beat a beefey driver station laptop
Rule:
[R14]
No individual item shall have a value that exceeds $400.00. The total cost of Components purchased in bulk may
exceed $400.00 USD as long as the cost of an individual Component does not exceed $400.00.
Consider trying a co-processor like the BeagleBoard if you want to do this. 987 has a paper about using a PandaBoard that you’ll find if you search CD-Media.
Go ahead and use a Netbook, but there are many lighter, cheaper alternatives.
Wait until the 2013 rules come out before you make a decision or purchase equipment.
If you follow the 2012 rules, then almost certainly yes.
We will not know the 2013 rules until January 5. You will have to read them to determine if a netbook is allowed on your competition robot.
Last year we used a pico it on our robot’ they are significantly more powerful than beagle boards or raspberry pi but about the same size