<R79> and Coaches with Laptops/PDAs

[FRC1656]

<R79> permits a laptop (or other portable, battery-powered computing device) to be connected to the dashboard port of the OI "for the purpose of displaying feedback from the ROBOT while participating in competition matches."

Can the laptop run, in addition to a dashboard monitor, a program to calculate the current game score for strategy purposes? A whiteboard was included in the kit for such a purpose, but a computer is faster at exponential math and would limit human errors in calculations.

If this is allowed, then would the Coach be allowed to use the laptop? Although the laptop would be on the same board/platform as the OI, the Coach would not be controlling any of the input devices, only monitoring the game and robot status while providing the Drivers with information.

Please clarify the allowed purposes and uses of laptops or PDAs with regard to non-dashboard applications and Coach use.

Thanks,
Max Cutler

[GDC]

The software displaying the status of the dashboard information may also display the state of the field, and any estimated score. A laptop connected to the Dashboard Port of the Operator Interface would be considered part of the Operator Console. As such, the Coach may not touch the dashboard laptop without violating Rule <G49>.