[Chris Hibner]

I have a REALLY big problem with this rule interpretation - especially coming this late.

Here is the original rule:

<G12> The purpose of the LOADING ZONE is to allow ROBOTS to quickly and safely receive TETRAS without interference while HUMAN PLAYERS and/or field attendants are in close proximity, and then return to play. The LOADING ZONE is not intended to serve as a “perpetual safety zone” to prevent interaction with opponent ROBOTS for the entire match. Tethers, tape measures, long extension arms, and other devices intended to contact the LOADING ZONE to maintain the “non-interference constraint” defined in <G15> while the ROBOT drives around the remainder of the field are against the spirit of the rule and will not be permitted. Such devices must be removed before the ROBOT will be permitted to play in the match. <end of rule>

The rule says to me that we should not have long arms, tape measure, or teathers that allow us to be in the loading zone when we are far away for the purpose of gaining an advantage due to the non-interference contraint. This rule says NOTHING about any 38x28 requirement.

Here is my problem: we designed our robot to require wheelie bars that fold out at the beginning of the match. These wheelie bars are not intended to gain an advantage from rule <G15> - they were designed to prevent the robot from tipping over. The problem is that it is nearly impossible for something within the 28x38 footprint to touch the loading zone since our wheelie bars contacting the side rail prevent us from getting close enough to touch the triangle. Our interpretation was that the wheelie bars to not constitute a tether, tape measure, or some other device to gain an advantage from rule <G15>.

If FIRST wants to make this type of interpretation, they need to do it at the beginning of the process - not once the robot is built and ready to ship.