<R79> Teams are permitted to connect a portable computing device (Laptop computer, PDAs, etc.)to the RS232 Output of the dashboard port of the Operator Interface for the purpose of displaying feedback from the ROBOT while participating in competition matches. Please note that AC power will not be available at the playing field so these devices will have to run on internal batteries.
The above is the only reference to laptops and similar devices being on the field with teams. Our team is in the process of designing a program that will help a coach keep track of the rack and make strategy decisions in real time. However due to this ruling, we aren’t sure if we could actually bring that out with the coach on the field.
What is your interpretation of the rule? Will teams be allowed to bring portable devices out, with all wireless connections disabled? Or perhaps you think that the only laptops on the field will be ones connected to the RS232 and only displaying that?
Connecting it to the RS232 won’t pass muster under that rule. It has to be connected for the express purpose of monitoring the dashboard. Duct taping a cord to the back and plugging it into the OI doesn’t count.
The rules simply don’t cover the question, and so the question needs to be asked. If Q&As are ever up.
I would think it’s still possible to program buttons on the existing UI to port through the controller, over the RS232, and into a waiting computer.
Once you can do that, there’s nothing to stop teams from writing programs to monitor the playing field and calculate (in real time) the optimal location for placing a ringer or spoiler. Or, on the defensive side, calculating the location where your opponent could do the same.
I can envision a button box with 3 rows of 8 toggle switches to indicate which rack positions are red/blue/empty. That data gets routed through the dashboard port to a waiting computer that spits out a strategy.
