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Re: 1519 - One Dual-Config Robot or Two Robots?
I am a convert and have changed my mind. There is no definition of ROBOT. There is a definition of MECHANISM. Drive base "A" is a MECHANISM and drive base "B" is a MECHANISM. What is a ROBOT if it is not a combination of fabricated COMPONENTS, MECHANISMS and COTS items <R10>? 1519 demonstrated that they could comply with <R11>. <R12> refers to ROBOT weight. The example illustrates one possible sollution to determine the total weight of all of a ROBOT's various possible playing configurations. 1519 demonstrated that they could comply with <R12>. They do have a slightly different approach than the example, however, the example is only an illustration of one way to approach <R12>. How in the world does 1519 violate <R114>? Each playing configuration was indeed a subset of all the COMPONENTS, MECHANISMS and COTS presented at inspection. It seems as though they took great pains to insure that they complied. If 1519 believed that <R08>, while I think this is a weak argument by the GDC, was the problem, I am certain that they could have come up with segmented bumpers for the larger drivetrain with 2/3rd's covered and made the smaller drivetrain a little larger and 100% covered. I have not done any lawyering of the rules to come up with this solution. 1519 worked within the rules as they were presented. Perhaps if they had asked questions earlier, rules would have been written to prevent them from doing exactly what the rules stated. What would be wrong with a team calling their robot Super Speedy when they did not have a manipulator attached and Super Hurdler when they did? Two names do not make two robots. My thanks go out to all who helped me come to this conclusion, there are just too many in this thread and others to quote.
EDIT: Another comment on bumpers, suppose a team has a speed bot that they cover 100% with bumpers. When they add their manipulator, they leave he front bumper off for clearance. The only solution is to never put the front bumper on the speed bot. Seems a little contrary to the intent of the bumpers.
Last edited by ALIBI : 04-03-2008 at 08:35.
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