Joystick / HHB Drift - Deadman and Deadband¶
Summary¶
Several operators reported joystick drift on gamepads or HHBs, including scary cases where the robot begins moving without intentional input. Recommended mitigations are a deadman's handle, larger joystick deadband, unplug/replug tests, and treating drift as a safety issue.
Symptoms¶
- Robot moves without operator input.
- Axis continues after joystick release.
- HHB or gamepad values show small residual offsets.
- Drift appears only in certain modes, such as carts view.
WhatsApp Excerpts¶
| Timestamp | User | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-18 08:18 | Simon Wakley | Strongly recommended a deadman's handle in Xbox controller setup; joysticks can drift, and the deadman disables joysticks but not buttons. |
| 2020-06-18 08:19 | Anton Vikstrom | Uses a lot of joystick deadband to prevent drift. |
| 2021-12-04 01:46 | Remi | Flair 7 RC1 with gamepad caused robot drift / movement by itself. |
| 2022-05-05 23:57 | Timothy Heys Cerchio | Suspects HHB, joystick/gamepad, or third-party input devices for unexplained input; suggests increasing deadband. |
| 2026-04-14 23:00 | Mike Greenberg | Logitech F310 on 7.7.15 continued to move after joystick release. |
| 2026-04-15 15:47 | Luke Campbell | Same behavior reported; appeared in carts view moving X axis with joystick. |
Community Solutions¶
[CONFIRMED] Configure A Deadman's Handle¶
Open Setups -> Hand-held Box / HHB Setup or the controller mapping screen, then assign a convenient button, often a shoulder button, as deadman. The deadman should disable joystick motion unless held, while leaving buttons usable if configured that way.
Confidence: 0.9
[CONFIRMED] Increase Joystick Deadband¶
Increase deadband per joystick input in Setups -> Hand-held Box / HHB Setup or the active controller setup screen so small electrical or mechanical offsets do not command motion.
Confidence: 0.86
[LIKELY] Suspect Sticky HHB/Gamepad Inputs First¶
For unexplained slow motion, inspect HHB and gamepad inputs before looking for deeper motion-control faults.
Confidence: 0.78
[DANGEROUS] Treat Continued Motion After Release As A Stop Condition¶
If a joystick release does not stop movement, stop the rig and file/report the behavior with software version and controller model.
Confidence: 0.88
Related Issues¶
- See also: Wireless Controllers - Driver Interference and Runaway Risk
- See also: Gamepad / HHB Setup — XCam, Browse, Proportional Triggers, and Undo Caveats
- See also: HHB Setup - +X CamBrsw / -X CamBrsw Mapping