Build Your Own Combat Robot

FIGURE 8-6
Block diagram of
Isaac operator
interface and the
robot controller.
Chapter 8: Remotely Controlling Your Robot 177
are user programmable so that they can provide feedback from the robot. The operator
interface has a port called the dashboard port that can be connected to a PC
so that the operator can get total feedback from the entire robot.
An interesting feature about this control system is that multiple operators can use
the same controller to control the same robot. For example, one operator could be
using one joystick to drive the robot around the ring, a second operator could be using
a switch panel to control weapons on the robot, and a third operator could be
monitoring system readouts and controlling a third panel for defensive weapons.
Or the entire system could be set up so that one person drives the robot and sensors
on the robot automatically control the weapons.
Figure 8-6 shows a block diagram of the Isaac operator interface and the robot
controller showing component functionality.
As you can see, the IFI Robotics control systems are more powerful and flexible
than the top-of-the-line PCM computer radios. The added abilities make the Isaac
systems more expensive than the PCM computer radios, and many single-robot
competitors in the smaller weight classes will find the price prohibitive. However,
because the same Isaac system can be easily used on multiple robots, it’s a good investment
for a team with many entries. The Isaac radio receiver is physically larger
than a typical PCM receiver. The smaller system—the Issac16—will fit in most robots