I thought I read something on here about this, but my search is not turning it up. Can we use a second computer as part of our operator console, if it does not connect wirelessly with anything?
I would consider all the rules in Section 4.1.11 very carefully before making the call either way. However, there are a few that I would particularly look at:
[R80], blue box, second paragraph says that no power will be available for something other than the Classmate. However, any computing device may be used to host the Driver Station software (well, as long as it can connect to the field via Ethernet–[R81]).
[R84] bans wireless communication to, from, or within the console, except via the Arena system.
From Section 5, Rule [T34] is also worth looking at; it puts a list of requirements on devices for tracking strategy. One of those requirements is that any device used only for strategy cannot connect to the Operator Console (among other rules). Not knowing what the second computer would be used for, I include this just in case it’s solely for strategy.
Beyond those, I don’t think there are any restrictions on number of computers used on the Operator Console, but space should be considered–you only have 4’ to work with.
I think it’s OK. It would have a webcam (wired to it or integral) and would connect to the other computer (which may be the Classmate, not sure, but either way it communicates with the robot using the usual protocols, etc.) via a VGA link so that the input to a pair of glasses worn by the driver can be switched between the feed from the robot camera and the webcam). At least I think that’s it - the software/driveteam folks were trying to explain it to me so I could give them a rules decision.
There may be a few other issues with this particular setup. Not with the computer, but with putting on or connecting the glasses mid-match. And with the fact that safety glasses are required on the field, you may want to just put the robot camera on the second laptop to make sure.
I know per Q&A that the glasses could not be connected during hybrid. Is there some reason the driver couldn’t plug them in at the end of hybrid? If we can get a ruling that they count as safety glasses (good catch on that one!), and they are worn the entire time (just not connected to anything during hybrid), is there any other problem that I’m not thinking about?
I am really glad that you mentioned the safety glasses rule! Doh!
I don’t think there’d be a problem.
Other than the ANSI requirement on the safety glasses (Administrative Manual 4.2.1), that is.