I'd much rather prepare for things to fail, and be pleasantly surprised than get a nasty shock. This project is very different to my normal way of working, as it is much more reliant on technology than I am used to. It's way outside my comfort zone in that.
If I could, I would invest in a replica of the whole system, but it is unfortumately too expensive. So I am doing all I can to keep things reliable, and have fallbacks for if (when?) things go wrong.
Firstly I am keeping the SD card clean of everything except what is essential for this project.
Secondly I have a second SD card in case the first one fails.
I have an ethernet cable and a wi-fi dongle to give options for how to connect to the internet and have requested info on how to connect in advance.
If my own website for any reason goes down on the day, I have the direct link to the bot on Pandorabots. It wont look so pretty but it will at least work.
If Pandorabots site goes down, I have PYAIML.
If the internet fails at the university, I have PYAIML.
I can also get the pandorabots site up on my phone, and can direct others to do the same. Not ideal, but its an option.
I am hoping to be able to bring a semi-working old netbook that might work as a back up if I can coax it into enough life. It is brown so would at least match.
I have also enquired as to the possibility that backup equipment be available at the University just in case. I'm expecting all their Pi's to be in use but there should be something around to run it. My biggest worry is the screen, as I will have to carry that separately and they aren't alll that robust. But I don't yet have a car, so I'm just going to have to go with lugging it around on public transport and being careful. I can possibly carry a spare keyboard and mouse, but not a second screen, it's way too heavy.
The other three activities are also not dependant on technology, so I can still do at least part of the thing even in a total power cut.
But you know, I really, really want Pinnochion#1 up and running on the P1 after all this work.
I'll let you know how it goes..