It definitely needs some clarification if a team is planning on a short robot design (it doesn't really affect my team), but my interpretation isn't ignoring the "must" and "maximum" - rather, it's a question of what measurements you use. If it's the physical measurements of the robot then yeah, you're right. But if it's the measurements of the box your robot fits into (meaning in this case a box that is 60'' tall, 28'' wide, and 38'' deep and mostly empty), then a short robot would be allowed, pursuant to the wedge robot rule.
One more thought which pretty much makes the discussion pointless: the flag holder. A robot might only be 12'' tall, but they'll have a flag holder sticking up increasing their height dramatically.
Quote:
<R17> ROBOTS must use one of the two FLAGS provided at the event
queuing location to display their ALLIANCE color (red or blue). The
FLAG shall be held in a flag holder mounted on the ROBOT. The
only acceptable flag holder is a 12 inch long piece of 1/2” ID
Schedule 40 PVC tube. The tube must be a single, contiguous
piece, capped with a commercial PVC pipe cap cemented at the
bottom end. The tube must not have any “lightening holes” or other
modifications other than mounting holes, paint, or other decorative
surface finishes. The flag holder must be permanently mounted to
the ROBOT such that when the ROBOT is in any PLAYING
CONFIGURATION and the FLAG is in the flag holder, the FLAG is
approximately vertical and the top of the FLAG is 75 inches above
the floor. As the flag pole is approximately 36 inches long, that
means the top of the flag holder must be 51 inches above the floor.
The region above the flag holder must be kept open and clear of
obstructions so that the FLAG can be placed in the holder and
displayed during the MATCH and the LAP INDICATOR is visible to
the Lap Detectors (see Rule <R18>). The intent of this rule is to
insure that the FLAG is as high as possible so that it may be easily
seen from any side during the entire MATCH play, while fitting under
the OVERPASS as the ROBOT drives around the TRACK.
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Quote:
(From rule 13):
The FLAG is not considered part of the ROBOT (however, the flag holder specified in
Rule <R17> IS considered part of the ROBOT, and is included in the ROBOT weight
and volume),
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So i guess that really answers the question of building a short robot
