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Re: 2012 New York City Regional
As a mentor for team 1635 I would like to clear the air (no pun intended).
Team 522 had a legal on board compressor powered by the legal on board battery as per the rules, as I eyewitnessed it. After the first match in the quarter finals, they did use an external compressor to pressurize their on board storage tank in an innocent attempt to speed the process. They were duly warned by the judge that this procedure was not according to the rules and so the external compressor was removed from the building. Air pressure was provided for the matches by the on board compressor.
As for balancing on the bridge, the Arena Manual 2.2.5 The Bridges states "A Bridge will count as Balanced if it is within 5° of horizontal and all Robots touching it are fully supported by it." In addition, in the Game Manual 3.1 Rule (G11) states "Robots may not grab, grasp, grapple, or attach to any Arena structure. (Robots may push or react against any
elements of the Arena that is not protected by another rule.)"
The Robowizards bot was touching the side of the rail and thus was fully supported by the bridge and not in violation of any rules, so after careful review, the judges counted it as a balance. In contrast, in the very next match, part of 522's bumper was on top of the rail and the bridge was not deemed balanced, subsequently allowing the red alliance to win the match.
I just want to add my congratulations to the red alliance in the finals for providing a formidable opponent and great competition worthy of the mission of FIRST! Well done!
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