Does anyone know who put together the field controller boxes for Worlds this year? They’re a plastic ammo box with a Raspberry Pi, USB power module, a small ethernet hub and speakers. I’m assuming they’re a homemade item? I’m curious if they’d be willing to share the parts list and specs.
It’s not really specified on the website who made it, but there is some helpful stuff here:
Yeah, I have that info. This is a great homebru/maker setup.
Were the Raspberry Pi’s connected to the main system using ethernet cables or over Wi-Fi?
Ethernet cables to everything. There was a difference in design between competition and skills fields: Skills field sets had a small ethernet hub/switch so that the fields could be daisy-chained. Competition fields did not have the hub and were hard-wired directly to the control table.
I was able to speak with one of the techs from VEX and he told me about the way they evolved and gave me a much closer look. I’m going to have to do some playing with the idea along with some of the things I’ve learned from other EPs in setup.
Can you use this on a regular v5 brain? https://vrcfieldapp.vex.com/
yes, some details here.
This is the basic controller information. As an Event Partner, getting the Raspberry PI, Smart Field Controller, Monitor, and Tournament Manager to work together without issues is always a challenge. The way that VEX put them together for Worlds was very impressive.
Yes, this can be installed on a “regular” brain. Just don’t try to run a robot with it!
What happens because I’m tempted to do it
Yeah, I was impressed with the setup at worlds too. I asked my RSM if they had a parts list for what the fields were using, but she said the RECF/Vex wouldn’t give it out as far as she knew.
Here’s my offer to anyone who has access to the special software/hardware used at worlds. I will beta test and pay Vex level prices for ANY of it.
Only one way to find out…
