[EricH]

Originally Posted by ToddF

2) We have been entirely too constrained by Rule T9, "At the time of Inspection, the robot must be presented with ALL mechanisms (including all components of each mechanism), configurations, and decorations that will be used on the robot DURING THE COMPETITION EVENT." (emphasis mine) We took this to mean that if we changed configurations during the event, all the components needed to be weighed as part of the robot during the initial inspection. In fact, it appears that a team may remove and add components at will, as long as they are reinspected between each reconfiguration. We only need to include the components of these multiple configurations in the weight total if we plan on reconfiguring WITHOUT re-inspection. This opens up all sorts of possibilities. We had thought that if we wanted to use one sort of arm for picking up cans from the floor (config A) in some matches, and swap out a different mechanism for pulling cans from the step (config B) in others, that both mechanisms needed to be presented at initial inspection, and included in the 120 pound weight limit. Rather, it appears that we can have one 119 pound configuration inspected initially. Then, later, we can remove one 15 pound mechanism A, replace it by another 15 pound mechanism B, reinspect, and legally play matches.

The bold part is how it's been interpreted since I've been playing--to a point.

Essentially, you show up, you inspect, you play, and if you add device X, you reinspect--and if you forget that last reinspect, the penalties are quite severe.

However, I suspect that the part after the bold is going to be problematic. In general (and in the past, though that part wouldn't apply this year for obvious reasons), modular systems have been told to inspect with all modules together. Reference R4--under R4, you'd probably run into trouble if you were to inspect with mechanism A, then with mechanism B, then back to A again... But that's not quite the same this year, see below.

So what you end up with is that T9 would, in general, allow additions provided that reinspection is conducted, and R4 tells you that everything needs to be inspected, including any "modular" configurations.

The GDC has ruled in favor of T9 in Q440--you can make any changes you like provided you get reinspected, but there are no guarantees you'll make the match you changed for if you go that route.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled GTRC thread...