[gp2013]

I would have less of a problem if the calls WERE consistent. We received a red card when a defensive robot drove onto our bumper while we were moving forward. The sally door blocked the view and prevented our driver from reacting in time. They went over.

In a game designed to impair drivers visibility it seems a bit unrealistic to expect drivers to avoid accidents like this. Penalizing them with a red card that ultimately eliminates them from competition seems unduly harsh considering the money and effort that went into the process. Surely there are better ways to resolve the issue of tipping.

G24 specifically excludes strategies aimed at damaging another robot. Not accidents that result in a robot being disabled.

If FIRST wants to penalize robots for tipping then make that clear in the rules and call it consistently across the board. On several occasions I have watched robots tip others and push tipped bots across the floor and no penalties were assigned.