DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Processing unit for mobile robot

Fri Apr 25 14:57:33 CDT 2008

For teams that don't want to compete in the large FRC (FIRST Robotics
Challenge) contest there are two good alternatives. 

1. FIRST also has the FTC (FIRST Technology Challenge) which uses a smaller
robot 18" x 18" max and the kit costs about 1/10 the price (about $900 I
believe). The FTC has "scholarships" of $450 available to help defray the
getting started cost. Previously the FTC used the VEX platform. Next year it
will use a souped up versions of the LEGO NXT -- "erector" set like
mechanicals, more powerful motors and servos.

2. IFI (Innovation FIRST) has a contest based on the VEX with both regional
and national championships. I think the cost of participation is about 1/2
that of FTC. IFI was the provider of the "legacy" controllers -- the VEX and
FRC -- that FIRST is replacing with the NI Compact RIO and with the LEGO
NXT.

-----Original Message-----
From: dprglist-bounces at dprg.org [mailto:dprglist-bounces at dprg.org] On Behalf
Of Pete Bergstrom
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 10:42 AM
To: dprglist at dprg.org
Subject: RE: [DPRG] Processing unit for mobile robot

Randy M. Dumse wrote:
> John Swindle said: Thursday, April 24, 2008 10:08 AM
>> The notable exception is the LabVIEW FPGA that can be 
>> embedded in the backplane of industrial controllers to give 
>> microsecond resolution and loop rates that are closer to 
>> that. Way beyond hobbyist prices.
> 
> And yet I just heard on the Seattle list FIRST has chosen the
> LabVIEW Compact RIO for their microcontroller for 2009. That has
> a 400MHz processor and an FPGA in it. And I have to wonder how
> the kid's teams will afford those things.

It's quite a financing challenge, I think. From my involvement this year
with
a FRC team, I understand the sponsor paid $6k to FIRST. The team got a kit
of
parts (KOP) and a portion of the $6k towards other expenses.

The IFI controller included in the KOP for at least the last 2 years has a
sale price of about $1k; I assume that FIRST gets a break on that. They have
already indicated that teams should delay buying the RIO controller until
the
start of the new season as they're working on a price break (from the $2.5k
currently indicated).

I have little doubt that the teams already participating in FRC will be able
to take on the RIO. I do wonder how many more kids would participate if the
sponsorship costs were more affordable. Adding regional tournaments (as in
Minnesota this year) surely reduces the cost for teams to participate by
cutting down on the travel costs, so that's a positive step.

Pete

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