Quote:
Originally Posted by JesseK
We complain that there are very strict bumper rules, and each individual rule appears to contradict other rules when put into a certain perspective. However, the only perspective that matters is the big picture: the GDC wants less damage done to their fields, their field components, and teams' robots. Yes the rules limit the design a bit, and yes some of the requirements appear unclear when put into the myriad of perspectives. How is that any different from the real world of engineering?
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Because it would have been far easier to say "all sides of your robot must have bumpers", "all corners must be protected by bumpers", "a single bumper segment cannot span both sides of a corner", "a bumper segment has a plywood backing a minimum of 6" long, with pool noodle overlapping the edge (unsupported) no more than 2.5 inches", and "bumpers must cover 2/3 of the robot's perimeter"
There really wouldn't be any confusion if the rules had been more specific. We're always asked not to lawyer the rules but our team hasn't felt like we could be certain our bumper configuration would meet the intent (or word) of the rules without doing so.