Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday
There is no rule that says you can't use your bumpers to your advantage. If you want to use them to get on top of the barrier, you can. Of course, anything used to damage the field is illegal, so don't use them for that. If they try to tech foul you for 'gaining advantage' from your bumpers, ask them under what rule they are giving it to you under. If they have any doubt in the legality of the bumpers, they should make you comply, not modify the rules to allow potentially illegal bumpers.
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The issue isn't the field; it's what might happen to another robot if they hit it when the bumpers are high. Since I'm one of the inspectors that was involved in the conversation with the refs, I think I can explain.
The bumper rules call for 2-10 inches on a flat floor; this includes sitting on the ramps. During transition (over the bumps, onto the ramp) we're allowed to have the bumpers not be totally within that zone, per a Q&A. The question is what happens when they are travelling on the flat floor (not in transition).
We started trying to figure out if that would be a violation. It's not; there appears to be no penalty for a robot with bumpers out of the zone while on the field. However, there is the damage to other robots rule (G27). This is what they could get called on. There was some discussion about since they *know* their bumpers could hit another robot to high, any contact would be willful. I don't believe that's where we ended up.
Bottom line: you passed inspection, and we warned you about possible penalties. If you want further explanation you need to talk to the head ref; it's now out of the inspectors' hands.
btw, the "ruling" you got was from inspectors. We were all wearing the yellow hats, and not striped shirts.....
