I don't think it is currently covered by the rules, but can I build some kind of auto-pilot? Here's what I'm thinking:
The servo cables out of the RX would plug into some custom circuit wizardry box and by default it just passes through the servo electrical interface for "normal" RC operation. When I press a certain button on my TX to switch auto-pilot on, this engages the buggery box which then effectively cuts the circuit between the RX and the servo's/ESC/etc (except the channel which switches auto-pilot on/off) and a PIC or similar processor then "drives" the tank in a series of semi-random/pre-programmed patterns, maybe doing semi-random circles or whatever. The reason I might want this is to be able to drive a support vehicle and a tank in the same battle. When the tank needs re-loading in the middle of the field, I put my tank in auto-pilot, grab the control for the SV and hoon on over - kill the auto-pilot on the tank, which means it stops moving, re-load, put it back in auto-pilot, hoon the SV back to base and then take over the tank again. With pre-programmed patterns that only the operator knows, you could even predict where the tank is going to move to next and place the SV accordingly. And with carefully programmed synthetic "piloting" it could even look like it's still under manual control, with traverse and elevate actions as well as vehicular movement. Obviously the auto-pilot controlled movements would not want to be very far reaching, we don't want a runaway 80kg monster on our hands - it could still be hooked up that if RC reception drops out (either because of range, or manually switching off the TX) the tank stops dead (auto-pilot switches off) for safety. Switching auto-pilot on would be a selective decision too, tress, obstacles etc, although obstacle avoidance could be programmed in fairly easily with some readily available automotive proximity sensors (think reverse parking sensors). Currently obviously there's nothing stopping me driving an SV over to my tank for reloading, but while I do that the tank is a sitting duck, the auto-pilot is just to make it into a randomly moving target, instead of stationary target practice. I recognise the fact that it's better to get another person to pilot the SV, both for attack avoidance and because the more people involved in the battle the merrier, but this is another option if an SV pilot cannot be had for the day, and it's just cool, especially with obstacle avoidance :) and no, I am not suggesting an auto-pilot controlled firing mechanism :) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
