Ball Shooter

[Squall]

Hello,

Our team was thinking about using some kind of device that can shoot a ball for a specific function.

The ball would be attached to the robot by a nylon cord and it would be something like a small tennis ball so that we can make sure that it cannot harm anyone in case of some kind of failure.

It would roll the cord back so that the ball would be back in the robot after it has been shot. And the cord won't exceed the field size.

Do you know if there's something against this in the rules ?
We couldn't find anything, but it's always better to be sure.

Thanks a lot.

[ShadowKnight]

I know that last year, the rule on somthing shooting through the air was that it had to be under 10 feet per second. However, no rule regarding that exists currently (though you're not allowed to throw the tetras period). I would ask that under the FIRST Q&A. Something to consider however is that a ref could disregard FIRST's rulling, deeming your device a safety hazard. (He would be well within his rights to do so). I would not design a robot that depends on functioning in the gray areas.

[dez250]

Do you mind explaining what the use would be for, different uses will referance different rules.

[Squall]

We're thinking about using it to shoot the ball at the tetras in autonomous mode.

[russell]

Im not sure that they are going to go for a robot shooting a ball autonomously. Thats just my opinion though.

[Marc P.]

I would say any use like that would be illegal. If not for the projectile itself, but any cord extended out and away from the robot poses an entanglement hazard.

From <R25>: Mechanisms or components on the robot must not pose obvious risk of entanglement. If, in the judgment of the inspectors, a device on the robot poses an entanglement risk then the team will be required to remedy the situation before the robot will be allowed to play.

[Squall]

Well then thanks, we won't go for this.

Thanks for helping anyway.

[Elgin Clock]

A little birdy told me though, that if you just simply drive into the Tetra Goal with enough force (re: very little) then the magnets that hold them (which are suprisingly weak) will let go, and the Tetra's will just drop.