Road Runner Validation Tests

Use straight, turn, and spline tests to verify readiness.

Road Runner 1.0 Setup and TuningRoad Runner

In this lesson, you will:

Validate simple motions.
Run SplineTest last.
Separate tuning from path design.

Concept narrative

Validation proves the robot model is good enough for autonomous planning. It should happen before students spend hours designing paths.

Robot mental model

Simple tests isolate basic behavior. A spline test is meaningful only after straight motion, turning, and localization are already believable.

Implementation walkthrough

Run short line tests, turn tests, repeated back-and-forth tests, then SplineTest. Log errors and decide whether to retune or redesign.

ValidationChecklist.javaJava

// 1. short line
// 2. turn in place
// 3. repeat forward/back
// 4. spline validation
telemetry.addLine("Record result before changing constants");

Common mistakes and debugging

If spline fails but straight and turn tests pass, inspect path constraints and localization. If straight fails, return to tuning rather than editing path shape.

Practice

Run a validation sequence and classify each failure as tuning, localization, or path design.

Checkpoint

Tests run in order.
Failures are categorized.
No complex auto before validation.
The test record includes the setup, prediction, and observed result.
A teammate can repeat the check from the saved evidence without guessing.

Reflection check

Check your understanding before moving on.

Why should a team validate a short line and turn before a spline?

Splines cannot run after a line test.

Simple tests isolate basic drive and localization errors before path complexity hides them.

A line test automatically calibrates every mechanism.

A spline misses while straight and turn tests are acceptable. What is the next investigation?

Replacing the gamepad.

Deleting the recorded validation results.

Path constraints and remaining localization error.

0 of 2 answered

References

Road Runner 1.0 ActionsAction composition, custom actions, and autonomous structure.Road Runner 1.0 TuningDrive class setup, tuning op modes, feedforward, feedback, and validation.Road Runner 1.0 Builder ReferenceTrajectory/action builder method reference.