OK, it is that time again so I will start here with Bumpers (Yes, I have had several teams report that they intend to add bumpers this year).
Yes, you can add bumpers this year but they are
entirely optional and...
1. They must be weighed as part of the robot weight, and that total cannot exceed 120 Lbs, R4.
2. The bumpers when attached must also fit in the TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION R3.
3. Bumper construction will be inspected for potential safety hazards and attachments like any other robot parts.
3. As bumpers are entirely optional, they do not need to cover specific areas of the frame perimeter.
4. Bumpers do not need to be constructed as suggested in the Bumper Design Guide found
here. Be aware that the guide is a tried and tested design.
In addition to the rules as published, Team Updates come out on Tuesday and Friday each week. If Team Update changes or modifies a robot rule, that change will be part of the inspection process at subsequent events.
I would like to point out a Team Update was published Friday, 2/6/2015, concerning custom MXP boards. This is not a change in the rule but a clarification to make it easier to understand and flow chart is included. Restated, if you have any active components on your custom made MXP board and you are using any of the PWM outputs on the MXP connector for controlling motors or servos, the board can only be one of the three pre-approved boards listed in R58.
More to come later...