This needs to be a Q&A. Wayne volunteers!
Actually, I'll try to find the time to post this today.
"Devices deployed outside the
ROBOT footprint
should be designed to avoid wedging.
If a mechanism or an appendage
(e.g. a harvester for retrieving GAME PIECES) becomes a wedge that interferes with other
ROBOTS, penalties, disabling, or disqualification
can occur depending on the severity of the
infraction."
These bolded words are not absolutes. I believe the intent of the rule is to permit ramps to be deployed for PARTNERS to use outside of the home zone only. If while deployed, the ramp is actively used to herd tubes or play defense against the opposing alliance, that is not permitted.
An arm is a "device deployed outside the robot footprint". R05 specifically refers to mechanisms (i.e. ramps) AND
appendages (i.e. arms). Who's to say lowering an arm to pick up a ringer off the floor doesn't present a wedge-type angled hazard for other robots to drive up on? If the GDC rules in the Q&A that ramps can't be lowered to the floor outside of the home zone because of R05, then unless the rule is rewritten, manipulator arms should not be permitted to do so for the same reason.
Also, since R06 says that all statements in R05 are null and void while within the home zone, does that imply that it's legal to use your ramps to fend off any opposing robots hanging around in your home zone? This would be analogous to the relaxation of pinning and tipping penalties while on the ramps in the Aim High game.
I propose we hold off on further discussion and wait for an official Q&A answer. Then someone will post the answer in this thread.