Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Hi. Colin Kulsa here with Team 3218 in Washington. I was looking over the rule book when came across Rule G42:

"ROBOTS, MINIBOTS, or HOSTBOTS may not intentionally detach parts or leave MECHANISMS on the FIELD (with the exception of appropriate DEPLOYMENT of the MINIBOT)."

I had the idea of using a Minibot as a functional piece of the Hostbot (like how the giant machines of power rangers were comprised of individual vehicles linked together [best example I could think of]) and then having this said piece detach and climb the pole autonomously. Would this be against the rules?

Additionally in the Minibot line of question yet completley tangental: Would a minibot potentially be allowed to FLY up the pole instead of climb? I know this would be far more complex and therefore not worth pursuing, however, I thought I might ask.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Yes, it would be illegal. But not because of <G42> specifically. <G46> specifies that minibots must only be used to climb the tower.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

if you can make the minibot "fly" using the NXT KOP then awesome! I cant see it happening though. the lightest the mini will weigh is 4lbs after the NXT brick and the 12v battery pack. plus the housing.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Keep in mind that the brain is not mandatory. A purely electromechanical device w/o a computer would work.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Before I read the rules, I wanted it to piggyback on an opponent's, but alas, banhammered by <G21> <G22> and <G24> :mad:

The rules never expressly said that the MINIBOT had to climb the tower. I was thinking of having ours grip the pole with wheels, then have it get shot up by a pneumatic/spring-loaded system.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Because of the limit on the fitting sizes for the pneumatics shooting it up that way will be very difficult but a spring loaded system is very intriguing.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

My dad (a mentor) says we should just focus on getting it up, fast, without all the "fancy stuff" involved in a spring or otherwise unconventional approach. To quote Captain Barbossa, "I am disinclined to acquiesce to [his] request."

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

I am wondering if you can even put a spring on your mini-bot. It is not listed in the approved parts in <R92>. If this could be clarified it would be awesome.

Re: Question on Rules G42 and about Minibots
 

Traditional springs aren't on the approved list of parts, but rubber bands (U) and surgical tubing (V) /are/, making for easy springs (especially the latter :cool: ). If you really want to be awesome, make a magnetic spring (AA)