Suggestion for next year - allow audio output in GM1

[alan_16072]

When we used a phone on the robot for the Robot Controller, we could have audio playing. (Since our team is Quantum Quacks - we had the ability to make the robot quack)

However, the Control Hub does not have a built-in speaker. Much like RE13 allows for light sources, I would like to see an RExx which allows for audio output. (Probably with some limitations about max volume, etc.)

Thanks for considering,

Alan
Coach FTC #16072, Quantum Quacks

[ddiaz]

Thanks for the suggestion, Alan. However, while <RE13> allows light sources, it's more to standardize the way teams use light sources on robots; what light sources are allowed, how they're powered, the kinds of devices that you're allowed to use light sources from, etc... There are no rules that govern audio output, which generally means there aren't any rules DISALLOWING audio output. Clearly as you've pointed out there are no speakers on the REV Control Hub, and so any rules added to GM1 would likely be done to standardize the kinds of external speaker sources allowed (if any) - RC phones with speakers are allowed to play audio (no rules prohibit such a thing) as well as the DS (phone or REV Driver Hub). There are actually some really good tutorials on our Wiki page that provide instruction on how to play sounds, text-to-speech, and so on:

Generally Playing Audio Files:

https://github.com/FIRST-Tech-Challenge/FtcRobotController/wiki/Playing-Audio-Files

Text-to-Speech Telemetry via DS:

https://github.com/FIRST-Tech-Challenge/FtcRobotController/wiki/Driver-Station-Speech-Telemetry

The "issue" with playing sounds on the robot is that you're not guaranteed to hear them - the audio in the venue is not controlled via GM1 or GM2, and so any sounds you play may not make it back to the drivers' ears. However, I've found the audio to be incredibly helpful for debugging, troubleshooting, practice, and for training team members prior to competition.

Thanks again for the feedback!
-Danny

[Alec]

... The "issue" with playing sounds on the robot is that you're not guaranteed to hear them - the audio in the venue is not controlled via GM1 or GM2, and so any sounds you play may not make it back to the drivers' ears. However, I've found the audio to be incredibly helpful for debugging, troubleshooting, practice, and for training team members prior to competition...

Also, I'm not sure it is a good idea to have four robots emitting various sounds throughout a traditional match. I imagine it would be quite distracting to drive teams and field personnel. That said, here are a couple of I2C audio devices that you could connect to a Control Hub:

• MR Sound Generator
• Hiwonder MP3 Player

Both require a logic level converter. There are other I2C audio devices, but these are the only ones I could find with integrated speaker.