[nighterfighter]

All the teams attending Peachtree received this email from the LRI...

TL;DR version- Having split numbers is NOT allowed (yet). Meaning that 4 digit teams are going to have a hard time.

Peachtree Regional FIRST Teams,As we near the end of the Build Period, I want to make all teams competing at the Peachtree aware of what may be an issue for some teams. Bumpers frequently present issues during the inspection process – and this year perhaps more so as the result of some specific rule requirements. In particular, the requirement for a minimum bumper segment of 8” appears to be causing some confusion for teams, based on the Q&A activity. Also, there appears to be confusion on the proper placement of the required team numbers. The Rules are very explicit in the size, style, and placement of the team’s identifying numbers, and with the need for Referees and field personnel to be able to clearly and quickly identify a robot, these will be enforced.One issue has arisen concerning these requirements. The 8” bumper segment does NOT allow for 4 digit team numbers to fit. The Game Design Committee has been asked, in the Q&A, about the acceptability of “splitting” a team’s number between multiple bumper sections to allow a maximum opening for ball collection. They have repeatedly responded with requiring the team number to “not be fragmented” and have determined that a “split” number will NOT be acceptable. The Inspectors have contacted the GDC and explained the issue but until a rules change is issued in a team update, we will be enforcing the current GDC ruling at Peachtree – and I would expect at other events as well.I have attached an extract of the Q&A that addresses these issues for your information. Q&A rulings are considered “official” – Chief Delphi comments and answers are not.
Please send your questions directly to Jeff Rees at [hidden]
Regards,
Jeff Rees
Lead Robot Inspector
Peachtree Regional

Here is the relevant Q&A answer-

Q. We have a u-shaped robot, so will have split front bumpers. Can we split the our
numbers; say "33" on the right and the "52" on the left or do all of the numbers need to be
on one side of the robot? It may be a tight fit with the new number size criteria.

A. Per [R35], team numbers must be clearly visible. This means that they may not be inverted,
obscured, fragmented, upside down, etc.