Ideas for Controlling the Robot

[Tanner]

Anyone have any ideas on how to control this year's robot?

I know we haven't got a design singled down to one yet, but I think we can at least start listing controls.

I know someone mentioned that one joystick was kind of awkward. We could use a XBox 360 controller using both of the joysticks. That'd be neat. Again.

What's your idea? Could be crazy or really cool (yes could win coolness points).

-Tanner

[Sunny]

Anyone have any ideas on how to control this year's robot?

I know we haven't got a design singled down to one yet, but I think we can at least start listing controls.

I know someone mentioned that one joystick was kind of awkward. We could use a XBox 360 controller using both of the joysticks. That'd be neat. Again.

What's your idea? Could be crazy or really cool (yes could win coolness points).

-Tanner

I know we've talked about this, but it's definitely a good idea to have all ideas down in one place.

XBOX Controller
It is a little bit awkward to lean down over the joysticks. Now to be honest, in the rush of the match, it's barely noticeable that you're leaning down, but I think that there would be more comfort in using the XBOX Controller.

Change Joystick Layout
In the past, or at least last year, we had one joystick to control the movement of the robot. I think it'd be better if we had two separate joysticks. It doesn't have to be the tank setup. I think that arcade works just fine, but overall, I think the single joystick setup is a bit annoying.

Pot
We need a pot. that is a bit more labeled what we had this past year. We want to have varying distance, and likewise, we a need a pot that can let us control that aspect. Likewise, if we had something on the driver dashboard that showed what our power was, that'd be great.

Firing Button
This is where we can get kinda creative. We can have one of those classic aracde machine buttons that fires or a large red button or whatever. I just feel like that the second driver doesn't need more than a pot. and a button to do his/her job.

Class Arcade Buttons: http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/up ... _butto.jpg

[ptwortman]

i think the firing button could be a giant red button that reads "Commence World Domination"

or have it read in big ol letters "DO NOT PUSH!"

but i stick with the idea of the briefcase driver-station, though its not technically controlling the robot

[Tanner]

Pot
We need a pot. that is a bit more labeled what we had this past year. We want to have varying distance, and likewise, we a need a pot that can let us control that aspect. Likewise, if we had something on the driver dashboard that showed what our power was, that'd be great.

Soooo wanted you to say "We need pot.", but that's just me being childish.

Firing Button
This is where we can get kinda creative. We can have one of those classic aracde machine buttons that fires or a large red button or whatever. I just feel like that the second driver doesn't need more than a pot. and a button to do his/her job.

I remember there being a post on CD about a team asking where they got those buttons, cause they're really neat. I think it'd be neat to use them.

Plus we need to kinda start thinking about what our control station needs to look like and what'd it would be made of. Last year's was good, but it was still like me, Stephen, and Daniel thinking "hey lets build a nice control panel" a weekend before. Should try to make it look kinda nice and comfortable.

-Tanner

[Tanner]

but i stick with the idea of the briefcase driver-station, though its not technically controlling the robot

I think it'd be neat to have that. Certainly would save some shoulders from hurting, but it'd probably still be heavy. Could alway's mod like a mailbag or something of that sort.

-Tanner