Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

So, the noodle cannon could have a sensor in it that tells the robot to flash a light whenever a noodle is launched. the noodle itself would have to trigger the sensor or else the refs would say that the noodle is not actually used to relay commands to the robot.

You see, it's all just a technicality.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

At some point, you're going to run into a skeptical ref, who calls over the Head Ref, who calls over the Lead Robot Inspector, who calls the FTA into the huddle. The three of them huddle, decide that you've got a device that you shouldn't have, but don't know how to rule that. They call HQ, and HQ rules. At which point, sorry, but you're done using that device.


Trust me, it ain't worth it. The last few times HQ has been called in, it hasn't ended well for the team(s) they were called on. (At least not the first time.)

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

So every year I like to make the "How can I make an air cannon useful in this game." Now I'm not advocating or saying its viable at all or that it should be done this is something I like to have fun with, but...
Does anyone see anything in the rules that says I can't use an Air Vortex Cannon to knock over opposing bins...?
Edit: I'm not talking about a potato gun I am talking about like an airzooka.
Also I just remembered that I will be posting on the Q&A and was wondering if anyone had input on the requirements of a bin set is 3 bins in the auto zone does it cap at those 3 bins?

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

Section 3.1.2: "With the exception of UNPROCESSED LITTER, if the actions of one ALLIANCE cause any of the other ALLIANCE’S game elements that
are in scoring position to no longer be in scoring position, the affected ALLIANCE will be credited points for the displaced game elements
at the conclusion of the MATCH."

Using an Air Vortex Cannon would presumably be considered an action.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

That rule I find questionable. I mean I understand it completely but I do not understand how scoring is going to take place. Will they snap a picture at the end of a match and do it from there? Do they actually manually go through and count? The former makes sense but is hard, the later is time consuming and if something were to fall during the counting process how is that dealt with? I would be interested in the GDC releasing the exact scoring process the field crew uses at the conclusion of a match. Also to semi bump the edit I made, does anybody know if you can have more then one bin set at the end of auto?

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

What they have done in the past, and the most likely scenario: The refs will try to track live score, and then will walk out and verify their counts once everything stops moving.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

So in this situation the end of the match is defined as "The state of the field until eyes are done looking at it."
I have never had this happen and I don't really see it being a problem (considering I work at a gym with soccer fields I know the feels a ref might have) I plan on enforcing that the refs calls are final on drive team unless the rule book states that the call they made was false without any doubt. I don't want students hating someone because of the job they have that is not fair. I really hope that the field does have some sort of photo finish which dictates the final state of the match so the counting can be done without holding up feel reset.
Also I don't like the idea of a ref going about counting stacks of totes only to be ambushed by a bunch of disgruntled totes that were precariously balanced.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

Team 343 takes part of the credit for that rule. We had metal omni wheels that we tested extensively for carpet damage. What we didn't test was a
another team's robot spinning their skyway wheels enough to melt the carpet. When we hit that we made quite a hole and ball of yarn.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

71's file card robot was from 2002.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

I meant to say 2002, whoops. Caught me in a typo. Fixed.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

Our team was joking around and saying that a "Disability" could be stated as our disability to throw pool noodles. A throwing device could be "Special equipment required due to a disability." ;)

I also believe there is a rule that says we are allowed to defend ourselves from totes. Don't remember the exact wording but I love the concept. I mean last year you couldn't defend yourself as a coach I'm glad this has changed

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

3.1.2. (and 3.1.3 for fouls) spells out how and when scores are applied:

- auto points are awarded when the timer displays 0 at the end of auto.
- coopertition points are awarded instantly on completion of the coopertition set/stack.
- teleop points (except for coopertition) are awarded when the timer displays 0 at the end of teleop unless not all elements are at rest, in which case they're awarded 5 seconds after the timer displays 0.
- fouls are issued upon rule violation.

Of course, the rules don't say what will be displayed on the scoreboard unofficially during the game.

Re: Odd things the rules allow, and should probably be changed
 

Unfortunately this isn't always the case. I know of at least one case where a head ref explicitly told the other refs not to tell teams they would be getting disabled before the match started.