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Unread 08-01-2014, 09:50
Racer26 Racer26 is offline
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Re: Suggestions for resolving stuck balls

My feelings on the matter?

1) BALLs on the TRUSS.

I think a BALL stuck on the TRUSS will be an exceedingly rare occurrence. It might happen one or two times through the entire season. I am OK with declaring it a FIELD FAULT purely because of this rarity. I agree it isn't technically a failure of the field, but this seems like the simplest remedy. The alternative in my mind, is if FMS can allow pausing a MATCH in progress so that a Field Volunteer (Ref, Field Resetter, Whomever) can remove the BALL from the TRUSS, and return it to play in the center field area, allow them to safely get off the FIELD, and resume play.

2) BALLs stuck in responsive-but-not-functioning ROBOTs.

If your ROBOT is still responding, and not dead (perhaps with low battery, or your manipulators are just not working as designed), then I'm inclined to say tough. You should have designed your ROBOT better, or been better prepared for your MATCH.

3) BALLs stuck in non-responsive ROBOTs.

If a ROBOT is completely dead, and FMS/Driver Station no longer has communications to it (ie. the Stack Lights at their ALLIANCE STATION are flashing), then I'm inclined to allow the TEAM to hit their E-Stop Button, ensuring their ROBOT cannot return to the MATCH later. At that point, any BALLs in that ROBOT's POSSESSION become field debris, and a new BALL to replace could be set at the ALLIANCE's PEDESTAL. If at some later point during the MATCH, the BALL which is field debris ceases to be in the POSSESSION of the E-Stopped ROBOT, then FIELD FAULT.
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