combat robotics arena controller This project is a controller for the Robot Ruckus Arena for combat robotics. This system will be used independently in both the smaller arena and the larger arena, so scalability is key.
No need for desktop/laptop - should be pi/microcontroller based to keep costs down.
- Start, pause and stop matches
- Sound effects - into arena sound system
- Initialize ready lights
- Indicate ready lights have been pressed
- Arena safety light controls
- One for red driver one for blue driver
- should be backlit for feedback
- robust arcade button in enclosure, can be bolted/clamped to arena or sit on table
- Simple pluggable wires (i.e. XLR, Cat5…) this helps with scalability and clean wiring
- Tapout function - once match has started if driver presses button, start flashing other color to indicate tapout
- Lights at doors and highly visible, could be colors, so red/blue during match green when safe to enter
- For fans and competitors
- RGB for start, linked to safety light colors?
- Could be center bright lights, or string around arena (can we get DMX out to control stage lights?)
- Raspi HDMI for output
- Display match timer full screen
- Maybe link background color into ready lights and safety lights
- Maybe allow team names to be entered (future)
- Load custom logo
The following is the squence for using the controller in a typical match:
- Initial state (ctrl+x) = Load In
- Select "Emergency Stop" (ctrl+s) = Pre-match
- Red Robot / Blue both selected (r and b keys) = Match Ready
- Select "Start" (space bar) = Count down and match begins
To pause the match select "stop" (space bar), to restart select "start" (space bar).
- Reset = (ctrl+x)
Sets to Load In
- eStop = (ctrl+s)
If in match, stops everything, must reset to continue. If in "Load In" sets to "Pre-match"
- Red Robot = (r)
- Blue Robot = (b)
When in pre-match, sets state to ready. During match, if select is a tapout
- Reboot the Pi = (ctrl+shift+r)
- Shut down the Pi = (ctrl+shift+q)