ROBOT CHANGES
 

hello,
on wendsday, after taking the robot out of the box, Can we replace wheels or fixing parts the robot?

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

On Wednesday, no. Currently it sounds like Wednesday is only for un-crating and battery charging. This may change before the event, to allow for inspection too.

On Thursday you're free to modify the robot as you'd like as long as no other rules are violated in the process.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

On Wednesday? I'd say not on Wednesday. See http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2010...mpionship.html.

However, there is nothing about getting set up to do it first thing Thursday morning. Get a partial inspection on Wednesday, tell the inspectors what you'll be doing the next morning, and get to the pits for their opening so you can slap the wheels in and fix the robot, then finish off your inspection.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Please do not use caps lock, we do not enjoy being yelled at. Also try to to capitalize the beginning of each sentence.

According to Bill's Blog, you can "un-crate your robot, charge your batteries, encrypt your radio and get your robot inspected all on Wednesday night. You can even start to set up your pit if you have time." There is no mention of working on your robot.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Semi-related, but do you think teams could take pictures of robot and do some quick pit-scouting on Wednesday? I don't see any thing preventing this.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Someone may tell you off for it, because the time is reserved for pit-setup, un-crating, and now inspection, but assuming your scouts are accounted in the 5 members allowed in, I doubt anyone will stop you...

You could ask on the Q&A though, if they say yes, then it shouldn't be an issue.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

I'd say you're free to make your changes on Thursday, just not Wednesday.

Haha my 330th post, go Beach Bots!

Cass

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

We got kicked out of the the GWCC for looking at other robots in our division last year even though there was plenty of time left and we weren't doing anything inappropriate except maybe chatting with Aidan. To be fair though Bill Miller was really on the prowl because there were a few teams doing work and they didn't want us loitering around. Apparently it made it harder for the few FIRST staffers there trying to kick out the teams that were ilegally working on their robots.

This year it will probably be less of an issue because they are letting us do much more in the allotted time.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Don't assume anything.
Don't just begin changing anything, without knowing it is okay to do so.
Ask FIRST, first - and that is best to be done ahead of time.
FIRST and ONLY official response is NOT here.
Rules change every year.
The rules from past years, don't always apply in subsequent years - to things that may be different.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Mike's advice is wise. See the e-mail blast that just went out.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Since that information was not available at the time the question was answered, the answers given were reasonable.

Seeing as the email is now available, if you want to make changes, go for it. Just remember that you have to work with 5 people only.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

I think that all questions related to what are teams allowed to do on Wednesday night are still valid questions, because the manual has not been changed. The email blast went out on Tuesday, and then a team update was posted the same day which had no changes.

Are we going to accept email blasts and blog posts as official rules? Suppose they contradict (as they do now), which takes precedence? Can I just show up with an email from someone at FIRST and say it gives me the authority to work on my robot?

Hopefully this is corrected in today's update, and hopefully in the future FIRST will follow its own rules regarding methods of communication (why even publish them if they are not going to follow them).

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

You may start some work on your robot on Wednesday. I would prefer you make inspection a top priority. If you want to scout, please do so on Thursday so we can concentrate on the task at hand. It is hard enough to inspect when others are stepping on you and asking questions about the robot you are inspecting.
Thanks from one of those kneeling on the floor.

Remember that teams may only have five team members including an adult as a requirement. If you are not working on your robot or in your pit, go have some dinner and rest up for Thursday.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Load in procedures have always been site specific and not covered in the official rules. While it would be nice if a team update was released to highlight the championship load in procedures, it wouldn't be changing any rules. The Championship Essential Information has been updated to show the new load in procedure and would be what I would reference.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Actually, the procedure for Wednesday night at the Championship is very clearly defined in section 3.7 of the Manual. And as far as I know, the manual is the official rule book. If you go to the inspection station, they have a copy of the manual and usually a copy of the Q&A for interpretation of those rules. They don't have copies of every email and blog that FIRST puts out.

And according to the Update published today,

Section 0 – Introduction through Section 7 – The Game - No changes.

I posted a question to Q&A to try to clarify precedence of different documents regarding rules.

Re: ROBOT CHANGES
 

Looks like I got an answer. The latest official FIRST communication of any kind is the precedent rule, and the Championship Essential Information Document says you are allowed to work on your robot Wednesday night.

Note that it still says you are only allowed to make 1 trip in with materials.