[Billfred]

Originally Posted by P1d40n3

But you can have unmodified COTS Components that you have bought during the off-season. And the transmissions are unmodified COTS Components.

Don't bet on that.

<R17>Prior to the Kick-off: Before the formal start of the Robot Build Season, teams are
encouraged to think as much as they please about their ROBOTS. They may develop
prototypes, create proof-of-concept models, and conduct design exercises. Teams may
gather all the raw stock materials and COTS COMPONENTS they want. But absolutely no
fabrication or assembly of any elements intended for the final ROBOT is permitted prior to
the Kick-off presentation. Any MECHANISMS purchased or assembled prior to the Kick-off
presentation may be used for prototyping or educational purposes, but CAN NOT be used
on the final ROBOT.

(emphasis mine)

MECHANISM – A COTS or custom assembly of COMPONENTS that provide specific functionality on
the ROBOT. A MECHANISM can be disassembled (and then reassembled) into individual
COMPONENTS without damage to the parts.

COMPONENT – A ROBOT part in its most basic configuration, which can not be disassembled without
damaging or destroying the part, or altering its fundamental function.

An AM Shifter meets the criteria of a MECHANISM, not a COMPONENT, and therefore it must have been purchased after Kickoff under the current interpretation of the rules.