The introduction of the REV Robotics Expansion Hub in the 2017 season was a great step forward in the progression of FIRST Tech Challenge. Teams were able to consolidate into a single device what had required four separate devices. The REV Expansion Hub combined with an Android handset minimized electrical connections, reduced the physical footprint, and gave teams a great deal more design flexibility. That configuration will continue to be allowed in FIRSTTech Challenge for years to come.
As with many new ideas, the Expansion Hub configuration itself generated additional options on further improvements. This season we will be piloting the REV Robotics Control Hub. The Control Hub is the current Expansion Hub with the functionality of the Android handset built in. The Control Hub allows more design flexibility by reducing the footprint on the robot and eliminates the need for a separate Android device. These improvements won�t impact the practical performance of robots but should make the out-of-the-box experience easier for new teams.
The Control Hub will allow the use of an external USB connected camera for Tensorflow, Vuforia and other camera-based applications.
Who will be piloting the Control Hub this season?
Based on several factors we have selected four regions in the United States the chance to pilot the Control Hub. These include New Hampshire, New Jersey, the Northern (Dallas) region of Texas, and the Los Angeles region of California. The United Kingdom will also be piloting the Control hub this season. The regions� location, technical abilities, and size were all factors in selecting these pilot regions.
In the United States teams within the selected regions interested in piloting Control Hub will complete a very basic application process ensuring that they are a registered team for this season and provide information confirming they are located within the pilot region. The application process also allows us to limit the total number of United States based pilot teams to approximately 250. This will give us adequate sample size and is supportable from the FIRST engineering team with help from local Field Technical Advisors at events. REV Robotics will also help support the pilot effort.
We expect the Control Hub to be offered via the FIRST storefront to all teams in the 2020-2021 season. Pilot teams this year can expect to be able to use their Control Hubs in the future. Pilot Control Hubs will be covered under the standard REV Robotics warranty.
Pilot teams can expect to compete within their regions with teams who�ve chosen not to pilot the Control Hub. If pilot teams choose to compete outside their pilot region they will be required to convert to the Expansion Hub and Android device format. The only exception are pilot teams who earn their way to World Championship. Those teams may continue to use the Control Hub at World Championship.We�re excited to offer this opportunity in pilot format this year, allowing us to roll out the Control Hub worldwide next year. We know many teams will continue to use the Expansion Hub and Android handset option presently in use. We do not expect any robot performance differences between these two options.
Keep your eyes and ears open and I�m sure you�ll learn of how the pilot teams like the new Control Hub setup.
Several questions we�ve considered include:
Q: What about the investment I already made in my Android handset and Expansion Hubs?
A: Both of those devices can continue to be used in the current configuration going forward. Both of those devices can also be used in conjunction with the Control Hub. The Control Hub allows the same number of outputs for DC Drive Motors, Servos, and Sensors as the Expansion Hub. Teams who wish to use more DC Drive Motors, Servos, or Sensors can daisy chain their Expansion Hub to the Control Hub to allow this. The Android handset can also be used as a backup for the Driver Station Android handset. The Driver station setup remains in the same configuration.
Q: How much does the Control Hub cost and where do pilot teams obtain it?
A: The application process outlined above will provide accepted teams with a coupon code to purchase the Control Hub as a discounted price directly from REV Robotics. We appreciate the support of sponsors to offset this cost. Their support has resulted in a Control Hub pilot price of $175 per Control Hub.
Q: What if the Control Hub breaks?
A: Control Hubs are covered under the same warranty terms as the Expansion Hub by REV Robotics. FIRST will make available several spare Control Hubs in the pilot regions should a Control Hub break at an event. Otherwise pilot teams can get help from REV Robotics for any warranty issues.
Q: How will the pilot be supported?
A: Technical representatives from pilot regions will be trained on the Control Hub and a forum will be setup for pilot teams who may have questions. We ran a limited pilot of the Control Hub in New Hampshire in the 2018-2019 season and learned that the transition from Expansion Hub to Control Hub was not difficult. We expect the same for the expanded pilot this season.
Q: Why do pilot teams that want to compete outside of the pilot region have to convert back to the Expansion Hub?
A: We want to ensure that appropriate support is available to pilot teams at competition events, thus we have decided that Control Hubs are limited for use at events located in the pilot regions in the 2019-2020 season. Pilot regions will receive FTA training and support from FIRST throughout the season.
Q: How then does that apply to World Championship when pilot teams compete against teams in non-pilot regions?
A: While we want as level a playing field as possible, it did not seem fair to ask pilot teams to change to Expansion Hubs if they earn their way to World Championships. There are no material difference in robot performance, and those pilot teams did not go outside the standard competition model to reach World Championships.
Q: If a pilot team finds they prefer the Expansion Hub and Android handset robot configuration over the Control Hub, can they go back to that setup?
A: Yes, pilot teams are being offered this opportunity which we believe could become the primary configuration for new teams in the future, but that�s why pilot testing is performed. There may be teams that simply prefer the current setup and we don�t want pilot teams to be forced into a situation where they cannot choose which configuration they like better. Pilot teams will be required to provide feedback, good and bad, and this will inform us of any changes. Based on testing to date, changes that could result from this would likely be user interface tweaks, not changes to the hardware.
Q: Can teams in non-pilot regions purchase the Control Hub?
A: Teams that are located in non-pilot regions may purchase the Control Hub through REV at the retail price. However, teams will not be able to use them at competition events. Only teams participating in this pilot will be able to use the Control Hub at competitions events in the pilot region and World Championship.
More detailed information will be available to pilot teams via a special forum and through their respective Affiliate Partners. The purpose of this blog post is primarily to keep the larger FIRST Tech Challenge community in the loop as we continue to evolve the program and options available to our teams.
