Drivers Ready?
 

So far this season I have attended 2 regionals(SBPLI and UTC) and I saw 2 totally different responses by the Judges in one particular way. What I am questioning is at the time between autonomous mode and the first human control period when do drivers get to step over the line and take the controls?
At UTC the ref's allowed the drivers to step over the line as soon as the clock hit 0 on autonomous mode, but at SBPLI the refs insisted we had to wait until the bell sounded for the first period. In some instances this glitched and the bell didnt sound untill 5-10 sec. had passed. This wastes valuable time for human control that can in some cases cost the match.

So I wanted to know how your regional aproached this issue and how you think it should be dealth with.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

At Wisconsin we were allowed to take the controls as soon as the Autonomous clock hit zero, but because of the delay to allow for scoring the robots were still disabled for a short time.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

For the NYC Regional Drivers were allowed to cross the line when the count came down to 0

For the NJ Regionals in which I also attended I believe that Drivers were also allowed to cross the line when the count came down to 0 - however I could be wrong.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

When I refereed at BMR, we allowed the drivers to step up to the controls when the auto mode clock went to zero. There are a few reasons that the drivers are to stay back at the beginning of the match. 1) to make sure that there is no input from the humans, and 2) safety. In my opinion, when the clock is at zero, the robots aren't moving anymore, so i don't have any problem with the drivers stepping forward. But, honestly, as long as it is consistant through out the weekend for each event, I don't think it matters which way it is officiated. Just make sure you know which way they are going to call it before the match starts.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

To the best of my knowledge most of the competitions I've attended over the years have let the drivers move when the clock hit zero. The one time I remember any differently is the Phoenix regional last year, however I do believe that the issue was resolved either Friday or Saturday and the ruling was changed.

As you said, while it shouldn't happen it isn't uncommon for the sound to be delayed, or to not go off at all. This can be quite an unfortunate circumstance if the refs are going by the sound clip rather than the clocks. The one thing that I always wondered about is why the rule even exists in the first place. The OI signals are ignored by the RC in autonomous mode, so a player interfering with the controls shouldn't have an effect. I suppose it is to prevent accidental control if a robot does not properly enter autonomous mode. Any thoughts?

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

First off, the field is not glitching. The center goal knows when there are balls backed up in it, and thus allows the field to remain in autonomous mode until after those balls have fallen through the counter.

Answering your question, me and our drivers waited until the bell sounded at BAE, and so did about half of the other teams. The other half moved forward when the clock hit zero, and nothing was ever called, so I assume we were allowed to move forward when the clock hit zero.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

At PAC-NW we were told to move up when the clock reached zero.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

Straight out of the mouth of main FIRST Head Ref Benge Ambroge (sp.)...he told me when the clock hits zero, drivers may step forward.

However!

Those wacky FIRST people have a tendency to interpret rules on a by-regional basis...

In other words...ask your head ref before you do anything.

-Andy Grady

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

See <G35> and this Q/A: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=714

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

I understand that, but that is not what I was referring to. I was referring to one some occasions the buzzer sounded after the clock had started counting down the first period. This results in much confusion between the drivers and the refs.

So the apparent consensus is that when the timer hits zero, take your controls and get ready for a great match. Hopefully this is how it will be called down in Atlanta. I hope to see you all soon, and good luck!

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

We were told that is how it will be done at BAE, and then at LA, they told us to wait for the buzzer, if I remember correctly. On practice day, during our first match, that's what the ref told me after I went across as soon as the timer hit zero.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

The rule concerning this is pretty clear. You may cross the line when the timer is at 0. If the refs are saying to wait till the buzzer I would bring the rule up and discuss this with them. Don't get mad at them or yell or argue about it, but have them explain it to you.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

Thats true, and the refs should know about all the rules because even some small ones have a large effect on gameplay. But from personal experience the refs dont like to be told to recheck a rule if they have already stated their call another way. Its a bad spot to be in. I just hope it will be called accordingly for Championships

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

At BAE we stepped forward when the clock hit zero like it says in the rules. We sort of sauntered up to the controls while the rest of the teams waited for the bell to ring before they hurried to their controls.

Bring a rulebook with you and when the refs say something consult the rulebook.

Re: Drivers Ready?
 

VCU---clock hitzero.

Unfortunatly I was one of the few drivers to do this and take control of my bot when power was initiated.