[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by dhitchco

The term "being in the zone" is indeed somewhat ambiguous for the four zones (two manual and two aut-load zones).

FIRST could very EASILY fix the problem as follows:
a) For the two auto-load stations, the field attendant stationed at the auto-load to refill it, could simply raise a flag signalling that the robot is IN THE ZONE and alowing the team to do a retreive function.

b) Since there is no field attendant located directly near the human player loading triangles, FIRST could also easily implement a pressure pad in the field such that whenever a robot even touches the triangle, it sets off a green light indicating that the robot is IN THE ZONE. If a pressure pad doesn't work, then a proximity sensor or a human referee could signal "green" once a robot is in the zone.

I think these are good ideas. But I don't know that FIRST can guarantee different attendants for both auto loadzones at every competition. But it would be helpful to have a signal, but at the same time, the robot design should allow the driveteam to blatantly know they are in the loadzone. I suppose the way they let you know is by throwing a flag when you violate the rule.. No flag, then you must have been ok.