Originally Posted by Mike Koch (Post 1481850)

..., FIRST is acting exactly like a typical Client does in the real world: changing specifications after the contract has been signed and work well under way, and with no deferment of the delivery date or adjustment in price.

And this is a good thing.

Originally Posted by IRI Committee

The intent of the IRI Committee is to minimize the changes to the game and avoid negatively impacting a team / robot / strategy that was implemented to play the game as originally designed, while also increasing the game challenge and level of play for the IRI. Our goals for these changes include: 1) Allow for high scores by minimizing the chance of running out of game pieces; 2) Minimize the number of match outcomes determined in the first second of the match; 3) Don’t invalidate an existing good design or strategy; 4) Keep the event safe; and 5) Don’t start a can-war arms race that encourages teams to invest significant time and resources into an ever-faster device to capture Recycle Containers from the step.
The committee believes the rule changes below meet these goals.

Originally Posted by Racer26 (Post 1481895)

It does, however, mean that we won't get to see 1114's harpoons in a competition match...

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz (Post 1480474)

[2 extra Recycle Containers] ...can be placed anywhere between the guardrails, player station wall and the step, but must be completely out of the Auto Zone. (For example, they can be on a tote, on the carpet, on the scoring platform, on another Recycle container.)

Originally Posted by logank013 (Post 1483580)

Checked out IRI changes last week. Seems like really good changes but also really game altering. Taking away bin wars now eliminates any defense what-so-ever that was in the game. Disappointing but good at the same time I think. Can't wait to be there with my team. Good luck to all in the off season.

Originally Posted by Maximillian (Post 1480516)

Do the 2 added recycling containers have to start the match contacting the field or can they be pre-loaded into robots?

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard (Post 1485074)

Was this question ever completely answered?

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz (Post 1482587)

In general, you can put them where you want (within the limits above), in any orientation you want.

However, the rules for the extra RCs are different from the 3 already on the field. so let us think about how to word this.

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz (Post 1481567)

This rule will be amended slightly to further reinforce the desire to limit the can-burgler arms race. (If you keep finding loopholes, we will continue to close them.)

"A robot, robot part, or game piece that has been contacted by a robot or robot part, may not break the vertical plane formed by the near edge of the step during autonomous. When viewed from the drivers station, this vertical plane extends from the left side of the step to exactly half the width of the field, and extends downward 5 feet below the floor level and upward 46 feet above the floor level. Violation is a RED CARD."

"The only exception to this rule is a robot that has collected yellow totes during autonomous and then scored them on the open area of the step also during autonomous. In this situation, we will not throw a red card, but we will applaud the team that has done this."

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard (Post 1485638)

I don't believe this is the intent, but could a design like a one-sided 610 or 1024 be used, or would that be illegal?

Originally Posted by CVR (Post 1482523)

Could you clarify this a little bit?

Are teams able to place the RCs in any orientation? (for example: up right, sideways, upside down)

Can the RCs start the match touching a robot? In particular, can they start supported only by the robot? If they do have to start in contact with the floor or another game piece, can they be partially supported by a robot? If they cannot be partially supported by the robot, can the robot be partially supported by the RC? (for example: A canburgler resting on the RC)


4039 appreciates all the hard work you and others have put into making IRI a world-class event, and we're eager to finalize some plans we have to make ROY G BIV even more competitive.

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz (Post 1482587)

In general, you can put them where you want (within the limits above), in any orientation you want.

However, the rules for the extra RCs are different from the 3 already on the field. so let us think about how to word this.