Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris is me
This is kind of an aside, but I just want to emphasize how asinine this ruling is. According to the GDC, even if a robot does not meet the Manual definition of "robot" (specifically, designed to play Aerial Assist), you can't bring it. Numerous events have had teams bring old robots for the purposes of display, interacting with the public, whatever. A strict interpretation of this rule restricts even *non-FRC robots* from entering events. If this was enforced do they have any idea how much impact this would have on events? On the ability of the regional and teams to interact with the public?
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I would interpret that Q&A to mean if your pre-2013 robot meets the definition of a robot in 2014, then it's subject to the 2014 robot rules. (Unlikely, and in all but the most unusual cases, inherently illegal due to parts usage rules.) If it meets the definition of a fabricated part, and you wish to be able to use any part of it in the 2014 competition, it must meet those rules as well (part of the static 45 lb). That's uncontroversial.
If it's just a prop for your presentation, it's exactly like any other thing you made to impress the judges. You don't have to count your scrapbook as part of the 45 lb, because you're not going to use it on the field or otherwise incorporate it into the 2014 robot. Same thing here.
(This is based on the principle that the Q&A can't create a situation that isn't supported by the rules. The robot rules, from which the 45 lb is derived, don't apply to props you fabricated, tools you made, food you prepared, etc..)