Max Velocity

[Maine951]

I heard that there's a maximum velocity set that the ball can travel after being fired from your robot. Can anybody tell me what that limit is? I can't seem to find it in the FIRST rulebook.

[Marc S.]

Unless a rule update says otherwise, there is no limit to how fast a robot may shoot a ball(with the exception of 186,000 Miles/second).

The rule you are thinking of was made in 06 to prevent injuries in the crowd. I don't think that will be an issue this year because too much speed will prevent scoring.

[Maine951]

Ah, I had a feeling that was the case. Thank you, I don't think we plan on using any neutrinos on our bot, Haha.

[CardcaptorRLH85]

Unless a rule update says otherwise, there is no limit to how fast a robot may shoot a ball(with the exception of 186,000 Miles/second).

The rule you are thinking of was made in 06 to prevent injuries in the crowd. I don't think that will be an issue this year because too much speed will prevent scoring.

Too bad purposely sending balls out of play is illegal, that'd be fun ^_^

[Jimmy Nichols]

Ah, I had a feeling that was the case. Thank you, I don't think we plan on using any neutrinos on our bot, Haha.

Watch for rule updates, I am certain this will be updated after the first round of Q&A questions are answered.

[PayneTrain]

I heard that there's a maximum velocity set that the ball can travel after being fired from your robot. Can anybody tell me what that limit is? I can't seem to find it in the FIRST rulebook.

I feel as though you may be hearing of a speed limit in Aim High, where teams were advised to not launch a ball at a high speed (12 m/s ?) for it to be counted in the top circle.

I can't cite that rule without being able to place my cursor on a rulebook online, but I wouldn't worry about what's not in the current rules.

[GaryVoshol]

Watch for rule updates, I am certain this will be updated after the first round of Q&A questions are answered.

I would doubt it. There's plenty of members on the GDC who remember the maximum muzzle velocity rule from Aim High. If they wanted a maximum, they would have written it in.

[wilhitern1]

If your robot damages something by shooting the ball, it will get a red card. Just my guess...

[Jon Stratis]

The only thing holding you back currently is
[R08]
Robot parts shall not be made from hazardous materials, be unsafe, cause an unsafe condition, or interfere with the operation of other Robots.

(emphasis mine)

If someone (like a ref!) is standing a few feet from your robot when it shoots straight at them, how much are they going to get hurt if the ball hits them? You're going to have to meet *some* definition of safe conditions with the firing of your robot... the only question (for me at least) is exactly what that definition of safe is.