Minibot Stored Energy
 

I know the rules and updates state that energy can't be stored for the vertical projection (basically no launching, just climbing) of the minibot, or by the hostbot.

However, imagine this scenario:

Your minibot is powered by the battery, and uses motors and wheels to actually climb like intended. However, you also have a coiled up, lets say, antenna, that is unraveled after deployment, and all it does is stick straight up, and acts like a little flagpost. (Perfect for any teams with a pirate theme. :P ) Note that it would remain within the 12x12x12 volume constraints.

It does not help propel the minibot up, but it is "stored" energy, (by being coiled up).

I read through the rules several times but could not determine if this would be legal.

Thoughts?

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I believe that particular case falls under the "Gracious Professionalism" blanket. As long as it is determined (and possibly even demonstrated) that the use of stored energy does not contribute to vertical motion, it would be legal. Best to double check though.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I believe that you are not projecting the robot vertically if the bounding box (the 12" cube) stays in the same place as a result of the antenna extending, which it would according to what you said.
I believe it would be legal.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

The rules say that after deployment, meaning that hostbot has moved away from the robot, the robot must use the electrical energy converted to mechanical energy by the motors.

Mechanical energy is the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy. So say the slingshot system is on your minibot? So...legal?

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

If it says that you cannot store energy then you should not risk it.
Because you still might be be disqualified.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

If the energy is stored in the slingshot system after deployment, I'd say you could do it.

The problem is storing enough energy in 9 or fewer seconds to hit the target with 2-4N of force in 1 second after release, by using the FTC motors.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

No, it would be inspected first. If deemed illegal, either use a minibot without it, or just remove the component in question.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Even if you store the energy in the system before the match ends. Say about...30 seconds before the match ends, the minibot uses its motors/battery to build potential energy. Then, after deployment, it's using its own electrical energy converted to mechanical energy in the form of potential energy to propel itself up the pole.

?

- Sunny

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

You're storing energy before deployment.

(emphasis mine)

You're storing non-incidental energy for vertical movement before deployment. Now, if you build it up after deployment, you should be OK; after all, you converted the electric energy to mechanical energy using the motors, then converted the mechanical energy into vertical motion.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Eric-

As per my original question, would those rules prohibit what I was asking?
Although it is storing energy before deployment, it doesn't propel the minibot.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Touche good sir.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I don't spend much time with my nose in the rulebook, but i like to think that if it's not propelling the minibot in any way, that it should be legal. especially when you look at the spirit aspect of it.. i think it's a neat idea.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Bonus (cool) points if it is timed to deploy right as the end-game trumpets sound. :P

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Good sir, I believe you and I have the same idea in mind:)

The way I read it, as long as it does not apply to "move up the POST," it would not count, as the rule specifies that this only is prohibited. By moving up the post, it is implied that the force must apply to upward movement using the post, and therefore, if the movement does not directly effect your force up the post, or does not have anything to do with the the use of the post it shouldn't be prohibited, .

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I don't see the HUGE benefit in the idea. Sure I suppose you might be able to gain 6 inches or so advantage. I suspect if you've maxed out your speed, then go for it.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Wait? I think this is getting a bit off-topic. The guy seems to want a have a decoration on the minibot. As far as I know according to <G19> it would be legal assuming this is indeed a decoration and does not contribute to any vertical movement at all.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I'd ask the GDC, but here's my take:

It does not contribute to vertical motion. As such, stored energy would be OK. It's a non-functional decoration.

*standard disclaimer* I'm not on the GDC, I don't know what their ruling will be. Q&A trumps all CD speculation.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Ask Q&A. I'm eagerly awaiting the response.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

If it's purely for decoration, you may get away with it. Technically, using stored energy to move anything vertically relative to the robot is against the rules. The antenna sticking up does move the center of gravity of the minibot up and should be recognized as contributing to the vertical movent of the robot, especially if this antenna wold be used to contact the plate at the top.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

I would have to agree, technically the antenna would still be considered part of your minibot and by your antenna moving up, then the stored energy would cause your minibot to gain altitude using stored energy which is not allowed. If you some how stored the energy after deployment it might be legal. I would ask Q&A though.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

So would it be possible to, before deployment, use some of the minibot's battery to power ... something ... and store energy? It seems like it would to me, as long as that power originated from the minibot's battery.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

The GDC's wording could have been better, IMO, I think they meant this:

They just used a few unnecessary words ("that which is contained") which create potential confusion because they are unnecessary. A flywheel is just an example of what is not within the exception for "incidental kinetic energy." There is no other exception.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

As I understand the original post, this design would have something on the robot that is extended after deployment to make the minibot extend to the maximum size but still be contained within the 12 cube. As the stored energy is not contributing to the climbing of the post, but merely contributing to a change in attitude, or configuration, it appears from the description and my understanding to be within the rules. The GDC through the Q&A is the final say so please form your question and post it on the Q&A.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

this^

even if <G19> weren't there, I'd say go for it. I mean, they're not going to kill your team if you put that on there. Just put it on and if it's illegal take it off. If it's just for decoration it shouldn't do anything if removed.

Re: Minibot Stored Energy
 

Non-functional decorations are just that.