Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepWater
This year we built 2 complete sets of bumpers for our robot. One red set and one blue set. We would like to be able to swap out the bumpers from match to match depending on if we are on the red alliance or blue alliance simply to match the alliance color (and the color of the trailer we are attached to). I am wondering if other teams have done this in the past and if it is legal. How would multiple sets of bumpers be viewed in the rules and during inspection?
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(NOT an official opinion, but provided as a thought-provoker):
Why are the two sets of bumpers different colors? If the different colors selected are purely arbitrary and make no practical difference when playing the game, then one might argue that the colors are purely decorative. As such, the two sets of bumpers could be argued to be functionally identical, and therefore spares for each other. However, if the bumper colors are repeatedly changed to correspond to the alliance assignment, then some would argue that they provide a tactical purpose (aiding identification of the robot) and are therefore functionally different. As functionally different parts that are used selectively based on conditions of a particular match, it could be further argued that they would fall under the constraints of Rule <R13>.
I would recommend posing a question to the official Q&A system on this one. The question might be posed in the context of the considerations discussed above.
-dave
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