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Re: Thoughts about the new FTC challenge?
Robots may not "lift, grasp or hold" the rolling goals (the only baton scoring locations with high points) except during the "end game." But I think teams will want to move them before then, as they are on the opposite side of the field from the dispensers. So get ready for Q&A stuff on what is and is not "holding" the goals.
Also, the "possession" definition (touching = possession) is worse than it looks, since the penalty is 5 points per baton over the limit, per occurrence. Just drive over 5 at once (or individually) while carrying 5 and you get -25. Also, according to <SG4>, robots may not possess a baton in possession of the opposing alliance without penalty (so don't drive over one that the opponent is driving over first).
A change from last year: Safety rule <S1> now adds "another robot" to the previous years' list of field equipment that, if damaged by your robot, is grounds for (discretionary) disqualification by the referees. So defensive strategies are getting riskier, especially if your competition includes lots of robots built last week.
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