Robot Arm Extension
 

Does anyone know if at any time your robot's arm or wings can extend outside of the 72" restriction and then come to rest inside the 72"?

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

When you're in your home zone, yes, you may extend however far you want.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

Home zone only. Not sure I'd go in, unfold, and go out. Stay in the 72" box if possible if you'll be deploying/undeploying often.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

You are not allowed to think outside of the box,
but you are allowed to think diagonally in the box.

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=1121

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

I don't understand what people keep saying about diagonally in the box. The only way that is possible is if your arm is on an angle from the rest of your bot, and to what advantage would that give you. Its not like when your robot moves in said box that the box doesnt move with it. You are confined to the box no matter what way you face. So your arm can't be any further out than 72 inches unless the arm itself is diagonal from your robot, which to me seems pretty pointless.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

Actually, the box doesn't have to move with the robot. Putting the robot diagonally in the box is entirely possible--you define where your robot is in relation to the box, not the inspector. Quoth the GDC:

If you can fit the whole thing, robot and all, into a 72" square, your arm can be as far out as you want. In theory, it could go as far out as 101 inches and change, under the Pythagorean Theorem. (Obviously, there are other variables afoot in that, like fitting the rest of your robot.)

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

If I am reading this correctly I believe you are incorrect. It is a 72" square at ALL times you aren't in the home zone. I am unsure what you have read to lead you to believe that this will allow you to just fit the bot in the 72" square once and then extend to a 101" later on in the match.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

Put your robot in one corner of the 72" square box and rotate it 45 degrees, so it is facing the opposite corner of the box.

Now do you see how it can be more than 72" long?

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

i think someone should draw a picture of this :D .

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

Done:


I love my tablet

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

that thar's some gud drawin skil!;)

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

inconsequent: lacking worth or importance.

By this defination the orientation of the robot does not have an importance or worth. Therefore it doesn't matter which way the robot faces it would still be out of the box. Just think about it, if they meant it. they would have to give everyone a direction in which this virtual box faces.

Don't read too much into it. 72 inches is 72 inches regardless of what way you face your robot.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

My interpretation of the rule is that as long as you can take your fully extended robot and put it in a 72x72 inch box (regardless of robot orientation), you're legal.

I think FIRST needs to make some clarifications.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

I agree FIRST needs to clearify this, because some people might try this diagonal approach, personally, I would rather be safe than sorry

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

They did. Here.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

this quote has been posted many times. Yet there is still room for inturptations more clearification is needed

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

It's about as clear as can be....you have a 6 foot square box to fit your robot into. You can have it aligned diagonally, straight, or whatever way you want. That's what "the orientation of the robot within the box is inconsequential" means.

Re: Robot Arm Extension
 

Fair enough.. I'm just trying to be on the safe side. I don't want be Dq'd for something as small as that lol.