More than one minibot on robot
 

I could not find a limit on the number of minbots a robot can carry. I was thinking if the weight allowed could you put a backup minibot on the robot.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I think that would be fine, but you can only actually deploy one (i think)

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Definitely one for Q&A.

However: most references to the minibot are singular definite (the minibot), and you only get 10 seconds to deploy and run one. It's highly unlikely that you could deploy 2 in the same match. Common sense says that you will probably only want one on the robot (and at least one backup in the pit or on a different robot).

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Maybe you could deploy a minibot on each of your alliance's posts if the other teams don't have minibots

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

In 10 seconds?

The time makes it very difficult to do. Deploy (you've already lined up), cross, line up, deploy, and assume defense slows you down during the crossing (because messing with a robot contacting a base is an automatic DQ). Can the second minibot make it up before the score won't be counted?

Question for Q&A: Given the many last-second minibot deployments, will a minibot that reaches the top after the buzzer still count? Personally, I'd go with "yes" (<G68>), up until 10 seconds (same rule). That makes the chance of 2 much more feasible, but then you have to worry about legality of 2 minibots.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I assume you can try shooting it all the way across the field and hope they hook on. Kinda like a Hail Mary pass. You just need to make your bot very accurate and very rugged.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I like the optimism of your idea, but you have to deploy the robot at the base of the post.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

When looking at scoring it talks about a fourth bot on a pole being worth 10 points. That would imply, at least to me, that you could infact deploy two, if you had the time.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

That's the minibot that gets to the top of a pole fourth - lost the race.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Is there a rule that states this?

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Sorry, can you reference a rule point from the manual? I mean, it's still good for Q&A otherwise XD

Thanks ;)

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Are you referring to <G67>? That states that the 4th robot to trigger the target earns 10 points. It has nothing to do with number of robots on poles

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

And I found this definition:
If you subtract a MINIBOT from the ROBOT, what's left is a HOSTBOT. So any "second minibot" would become part of that HOSTBOT.

I imagine the GDC thought they specified one MINIBOT; there will probably be a clarification.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Not really at the base. The deployment line is 18 inches above the base of the large part of the tower, which means it is a total of 30 inches above the floor. For it to be optimal, you would deploy it as fast and as high as possible to it gets to the top the fastest.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Then we're going to have to take it as unknown unless a specific rule is cited, unfortunately :/ (not that we don't trust you - it's just that in a competition where the written rules are non-negotiable, our rule has to be "Cite a rule or it didn't happen")

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Are you positive? Where did you see that rule?

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

It's not necessarily the BASE. When you "deploy":

DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)

DEPLOYMENT LINE – located on the POST, approximately 18 inches above the top surface of the BASE.

These are the Manual definitions.

I believe you have an 18" buffer zone on which you PLACE the minibot.

(Otherwise, correct me if I'm wrong)

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Can it be thrown above the line?

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

If you do it above the line, it must be during the End game period I think?

I'm not absolutely POSITIVE though.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

This was one of my first thoughts when they were talking about sharing minibots. I definitely think it's possible to do, though very difficult.

After perusing through the manual it is definitely a question for Q&A.

Wording seems to imply the use of one bot, but never says anything definite against having two.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Misread that part thanks for the correction. Read it before I had time to get a little sleep.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

For those talking about throwing:

Read the definition of Deployment and all of Game Section 3.1.5 regarding where you can deploy a minibot. Then read the safety rules.

You cannot deploy above the line.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Its more like having two so that we can deploy on either side and do not have to waste time making sure the ROBOT is on the correct side for DEPLOYMENT. It is not for an attempt to deploy two in a single match.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I suspect this will get clarified tomorrow, but I feel that the answer is obvious as it is.
As said before, "MINIBOT" is singular, meaning that if you have two, one of them is part of the HOSTBOT. It doesn't matter if you have two identical devices, one of them is a MINIBOT (and therefore excluded from the HOSTBOT size/weight rules) and the other is not. The latter device (which I'll call the NOTBOT) must be weighed with the HOSTBOT and fit the size constraints with the HOSTBOT. If you deploy the NOTBOT, you've broken <G42>. You can't argue that whichever one you deploy is the MINIBOT and the other is the NOTBOT, because at inspection, one of them was part of the HOSTBOT, and one was the MINIBOT. Changing this is a violation of <R88>.

Based on <R10> and the definition of ROBOT, it seems safe to say, "Each team can enter ONE (1) HOSTBOT plus ONE (1) MINIBOT into the 2011 FRC."

Having multiple minibots is a clever and fun idea, but I can't see how the rules allow this.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

If we find out via Q&A that each team is only allowed one minibot on the hostbot, something that you might want to consider is having a deployment mechanism that can deploy in either direction. It might be mechanically tougher, but it is do-able (maybe a small turret of some kind would do the trick).

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Most likely though a turret would interfere with the arm and couldn't have full rotational capabilities.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Even if you can have 2 bots, why waste the space and weight?

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Why not put the arm on the turret? Now you can grab tubes off whatever side of the robot is handiest, and launch the minibot on whatever side is handiest--and the minibot may act as a partial counterweight to the arm if you do it right.

Full rotational capabilities are tougher--run your wires/tubing up the middle with room to twist a bit, and I think you could do it without a problem. Running up/around the side will give you headaches.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

Well we are already going to build at least two minibots for the coopertition points, and if it provides beneficial to have two then why not do it?

Thanks. We'll see if it will work, though the only problem could be accidental damage to the arm. That is the risk though in competitions like this so I guess its no big deal.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I guess nobody thinks it's within the realm of possibility that a minibot might fall off the pole or otherwise fail to reach the top?

In such a situation, being allowed to carry a second minibot could mean the difference between getting at least 10 bonus points (and possibly more if there are some towers that are unoccupied) vs. none at all.

That said, I agree that the rules seem to refer to the minibot as a singular entity.

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

I have no response why they would have more than one on the robot. Lets say its for "backup" I mean they know if the bot did not deploy right and they try another bot, even if they make the second deployment, those points would be nullified or even lose more due to penalties

Of course I will convince we need at least 2 mini bots, but not on the robot. The weight and space needed can be utilized more wisely

Re: More than one minibot on robot
 

well now that there is the team update we can close this thread