BunnyBots 2014 Rules Release

[Jacob Bendicksen]

It's that time of the year again - the rules for the 2014 BunnyBots game, PANdemonium, are officially out!

PANdemonium is played by two alliances of three robots each. The goal of the game is to place as many team-provided “widgets” as possible onto the “pans” of the team’s robot, or that of their alliance partners, while simultaneously attempting to de-score the widgets on the robots of the opposing alliance.

The full rules can be found at http://team1540.org/bunnybots/. Make sure to 'like' the BunnyBots Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bunnybots1540) to stay up to date on the latest developments - of course, critically important information will be going out by email, as well.

If you haven't already registered for BunnyBots, now would be a good time to do so! Visit http://team1540.org/fall-2014-event-registration/ to register for BunnyBots and other 1540 offseason events.

Good luck!

[Dale]

Oh, in case you didn't figure it out, the BunnyBots competition takes place Saturday Dec 20th in Portland, OR. If you're interested in hosting BunnyBots in your area, PM me. BunnyBots has always been a game that takes a minimum of course construction but this one is about as easy as it gets. Got 27' x 54' of FRC style carpet? Got White Gaffers tape? Got a barrier around the field (we use 4x4s?) You're done.

[feverittm]

Oh, in case you didn't figure it out, the BunnyBots competition takes place Saturday Dec 20th in Portland, OR. If you're interested in hosting BunnyBots in your area, PM me. BunnyBots has always been a game that takes a minimum of course construction but this one is about as easy as it gets. Got 27' x 54' of FRC style carpet? Got White Gaffers tape? Got a barrier around the field (we use 4x4s?) You're done.

The part I like best is that a widget can be 'active' as well as a simple object just sitting there. It brings up some interesting possibilities.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

The part I like best is that a widget can be 'active' as well as a simple object just sitting there. It brings up some interesting possibilities.

This is definitely one of our favorite parts, too. One of the things that we really like about it is that it gives more team members a chance to be involved - if they're not working on the robot, they can be working on a widget!

[BBray_T1296]

The part I like best is that a widget can be 'active' as well as a simple object just sitting there. It brings up some interesting possibilities.

Widgets anyone? (http://www.hexbug.com/)

[SoftwareBug2.0]

Widgets anyone? (http://www.hexbug.com/)

Did you miss the part about bumpers-optional and unlimited motors? :D

[feverittm]

I was actually thinking more along the lines of this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6p-1J551Y) :)

[lamk]

Is a quadcopter a legal widget?

[Dunngeon]

Fantastic game this year 1540, the widget concept is a great way to force compatible design.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

I was actually thinking more along the lines of this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6p-1J551Y) :)

One of us on the GDC was thinking about this - could be an interesting way to get your widgets to vacate an opponent's pan, though it also seems like a waste of time/money/energy.

Is a quadcopter a legal widget?

There are no rules against this, as long as it follows all other widget rules (i.e. most quadcopters are more than 18" wide).

Fantastic game this year 1540, the widget concept is a great way to force compatible design.

Thanks! We're looking forward to it.

[Bryce2471]

Fantastic game this year 1540, the widget concept is a great way to force compatible design.

Yeah, I'm really excited for this year's game. I'm especiallylooking forward to seeing the finals! My only real complaint is that I can't find where it says how long a match is. :/

[Dale]

Sorry about that! Matches are 2.5 minutes. We'll fix that in the next rules revision.

[Dale]

BunnyBots rules updated to v1.1. Major change is as follows:

17. Widgets may not operate in the 5Ghz 802.11n band used by FRC robots and can not interfere with robot communication, intentional or not. Widgets (or other devices) may not intentionally interfere with another widget’s communication. Don’t, for example, design widgets or devices that intentionally jam widgets. That being said, it is expected that some unintentional interference will occur. After all there are only so many frequencies available. That’s part of the game. Robots can shield (but not jam) widget communication if desired.

Also in v1.1 a clarification that the matches last 2.5 minutes, thanks Bryce.

[Bryce2471]

BunnyBots rules updated to v1.1. Major change is as follows:

17. Widgets may not operate in the 5Ghz 802.11n band used by FRC robots and can not interfere with robot communication, intentional or not. Widgets (or other devices) may not intentionally interfere with another widget’s communication. Don’t, for example, design widgets or devices that intentionally jam widgets. That being said, it is expected that some unintentional interference will occur. After all there are only so many frequencies available. That’s part of the game. Robots can shield (but not jam) widget communication if desired.

Also in v1.1 a clarification that the matches last 2.5 minutes, thanks Bryce.

Great! Thanks for the clarification.

[Dale]

Version 1.2 of the BunnyBot rules have been posted. This one excludes teleoperated widgets with more than one motor/servo/solenoid. The reason for this is the game breaking strategy developed by one of the our own Catlin teams involving 15 radio controlled cars who all drive into a base robot during autonomous which just stacks them up hiding them until the last 30 seconds. A boring but guaranteed to win strategy. Can't have that! Download the latest at http://team1540.org/bunnybots

[SoftwareBug2.0]

Version 1.2 of the BunnyBot rules have been posted. This one excludes teleoperated widgets with more than one motor/servo/solenoid. The reason for this is the game breaking strategy developed by one of the our own Catlin teams involving 15 radio controlled cars who all drive into a base robot during autonomous which just stacks them up hiding them until the last 30 seconds. A boring but guaranteed to win strategy. Can't have that! Download the latest at http://team1540.org/bunnybots

That's a significant rule change.

[Dale]

The BunnyBot rules have been updated to 1.21. Changes are:


During qualification matches, the red alliance has one minute to place their widgets when loading their robot on the field followed by the blue alliance for one minute. During elimination matches, a coin toss will determine which alliance goes first. Team members of an alliance can’t move the widgets of the opposing alliance. Widgets that aren’t placed in that one-minute span will be randomly placed by the referees. Each team MUST bring five widgets to the field.

and...

Humans cannot physically interact with widgets on the field while a match is underway. Teams intentionally doing so will be given a red card. Interaction that doesn’t involve touching a widget directly or indirectly is fine. For example, don’t touch widgets on the field or poke them with a stick while a match is going on.

Download changes at www.team1540.org/bunnybots

[Dale]

BunnyBot rules update 1.3

A few clarifications and rules update.

The pinning rule has been removed for last 30 seconds of the match. This was done to give teams a fighting chance at de-scoring widgets. Otherwise, robots will likely be too hard to catch.

Clarification that 180 degrees around widgets must be accessible during the 30 second endgame. This was always the intent but the new wording hopefully makes it clear.

Clarification that there must be at least 2’ between widgets at the beginning of the match and that each alliance must place exactly 15 widgets at the beginning. www.team1540.org/bunnybots

BUNNYBOT SHIRT PREORDER
By popular demand, the BunnyBot T shirts are back. Pre-order yours now for pickup at the event. www.team1540.org/bunnybots-shirt-orders

[Dale]

Rules have been updated with a clarification to v 1.31. The minimum of 180 degrees of widget exposure during the endgame must be continuous and cannot be split into multiple pieces. For example, you can't have two 90 degree areas of exposure and satisfy the requirement of a minimum 180 degrees of continuous exposure of widgets during the endgame. www.team1540.org/bunnybots

[Dale]

Rules updated to 1.32 with graphical examples added to obscuring rules and clarification that every point on a widget must be accessible for 180 degrees on a plane parallel with the floor assuming it’s above the 1” lip of the pan.

Also get your shirt orders in if you are interested. Both can be found at www.team1540.org/bunnybots

[Dale]

There has been a rule clarification that widgets should only be held on their pans by gravity during the endgame. Before that they can be held any way you like. Also clarification on the rule that widgets cannot leave the field of play during the match if they are to count. The rule clarification defines the field of play as a virtual box around the inside border of the field extending to the ceiling.

See the latest at www.team1540.org/bunnybots

[Dale]

A slight rule update to V1.4. Robot alliance identification has been changed from flags to a requirement that there be at least 24 sq in of the alliance’s color on at least three sides of the robot. See Robot Rules #18. www.team1540.org/bunnybots

As the robots start coming to together it's become clear that flags were going to be a huge obscuring problem this year and would likely get badly mutilated.

If this creates a big problem for a team you can still use flags but know that the obscuring rules apply as these are part of the robot.

[Dale]

The 7th annual BunnyBots competition will take place this Saturday at Catlin Gabel School’s gym (www.catlin.edu/map.) Twenty four FRC teams from Oregon and SW Washington will bash and crash their way through the day doing things that FIRST would never include in a mainstream game. The destruction will be considerable since frame incursion is part of this game. What better way to ring in the holidays than a little robot mayhem? Visitor admission is free. More information, rules, and the schedule is at www.team1540.org/bunnybots. We’ll be live streaming the event. Go to www.team1540.org/bunnybots for the link on the 20th.

Safety glasses are required for anyone standing on or sitting near the field. Please bring your own, we do not have these to loan.

FOOD
In a change from previous years there will be several Catlin clubs selling baked goods and other goodies. As usual pizza will be sold by the slice by Pizza Schmizza. BRING CASH for these vendors. Any other food you’ll need to bring as there isn’t anything with easy walking distance.

BUNNYBOTS T-SHRITS
There will be a VERY limited number of BunnyBots 2014 T-Shirts available for purchase at the event. Most are pre-ordered. In any event, bring $15 cash or check if you want one. Sample shirt at http://team1540.org/bunnybots-shirt-orders

GUATEMALA TOOL DRIVE
We have a contingent of students, including our FRC co-president, going to Chajul, Guatemala for service work. They are collecting much-needed supplies for donation, including especially tools. Until the trip leaves on March 13th, team 1540 will be helping in this effort. If your team has any unwanted tools, like screwdrivers, drills, or pliers, then we would be happy to take it and ensure its utility in Chajul. Bring them to BunnyBots! Think of it like a canned-food drive but with tools.

EVENT PAYMENT & REGISTRATION
Please check your registration status to make sure you are registered for BunnyBots and that your registration is paid. We haven’t received payment from a couple of teams. If you are registered but aren’t coming, please let us know that as well. http://team1540.org/registration-status/

CONTROL SYSTEM Q&A
As a beta team, we’ve been working with the new control system, this fall. There will be an overview and Q&A at lunch at BunnyBots. Bring your lunch and come to the Lego robotics lab, next to the FRC lab in Catlin’s Outback building behind the gym. 12:15-1:00pm. One of our BunnyBots will have a new control system in it so be sure to check it out.


BUNNYBOT INFO FOR TEAMS

LOAD-IN
For teams bringing their robot to BunnyBots know that load in on Saturday can be crazy. If you can bring your robot, or at least major pit elements, Friday night from, 5-9 you’ll be happier and get rolling faster. Otherwise, doors open at 8:00am Saturday morning. Please load your car/truck/bicycle in a way as to make it quick to get it out of the car as quickly as possible. You can stack things up on the sidewalk or under the cover of the gym until you are ready to bring it into covered tennis court 1. You can’t park long term in that small gym lot or in bus parking. Plan on going to the main parking lot. Trailers should park in the gravel theater parking lot (next to Cabell Theater). www.catlin.edu/map

WHAT TO BRING
- 50’ Extension Cord and Powerstrip

- Robot cart

- Safety Glasses…even more important this year. No one can be on the gym floor without them.

- Widgets! Each robot needs to bring five to the field.

- Tarp or floor tiles to protect the tennis court floor.

- Many charged batteries and chargers. These matches happen fast, much faster than FRC. You’ll be playing every 3-4 matches assuming your robot works.

- The usual tools and spare parts. You can use our robotics lab for major repairs with a mentor present.


PRE-INSPECTION
Here’s a checklist of what we’ll be checking during robot inspection.

- Frame perimeter less than 112” and under 60” tall.

- 24 sqin or more of alliance color per side and a way to switch in under 2 minutes. Team provides tape or other supplies.

- Team number on at least two sides.

- Team has team number card for their drivers station. 8.5”x11” sheet including Team number, school, team name. Card stock preferred. We’ll have blanks.

- Weight under 120lbs. This is an honor system unless another team reasonably complains in which case we’ll weigh it.

- Uses only one FRC-legal battery

- Verify team uses 802.11n wifi.

- Uses motors allowed by BunnyBots rules.

- Team has five or more legal widgets. Advise if they are likely to get damaged.

- Briefly scan that the robot doesn't violate other BunnyBot rules or FRC generally accepted practices. Robots may be re-inspected if another team complains or referees notice something questionable.

- Advise about obvious safety concerns. Robot can be disqualified in extreme cases.

- Advise if robot’s critical elements are not shielded from frame incursion.

- Advisory: Check if widgets are likely to be obscured during last 30 seconds. Advise team if so.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

The livestream is up! Watch here: http://tinyurl.com/BunnyBots2014.

[Dale]

BunnyBots 2014 was a load of fun, thanks to the 23 teams who took part. It was great to see teams taking risks, trying things they'd never dare during build season. Many teams turned most of the building completely over to the students which was great to see. We'll be back again next year with a new game.

Jason Marr posted some excellent photos of the event here. (https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photos/106999374581443680286/album/6095165931558067937?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1)

If you are interested in hosting BunnyBots in a different part of the country, PM me. General info on what this is about is at www.team1540.org/bunnybots