Minibot Stored Energy

[nighterfighter]

I know the rules and updates state that energy can't be stored for the vertical projection (basically no launching, just climbing) of the minibot, or by the hostbot.

However, imagine this scenario:

Your minibot is powered by the battery, and uses motors and wheels to actually climb like intended. However, you also have a coiled up, lets say, antenna, that is unraveled after deployment, and all it does is stick straight up, and acts like a little flagpost. (Perfect for any teams with a pirate theme. ) Note that it would remain within the 12x12x12 volume constraints.

It does not help propel the minibot up, but it is "stored" energy, (by being coiled up).

I read through the rules several times but could not determine if this would be legal.

Thoughts?

[Zuelu562]

Originally Posted by nighterfighter

I read through the rules several times but could not determine if this would be legal.

Thoughts?

I believe that particular case falls under the "Gracious Professionalism" blanket. As long as it is determined (and possibly even demonstrated) that the use of stored energy does not contribute to vertical motion, it would be legal. Best to double check though.

[foozie]

I believe that you are not projecting the robot vertically if the bounding box (the 12" cube) stays in the same place as a result of the antenna extending, which it would according to what you said.
I believe it would be legal.

[ttldomination]

The rules say that after deployment, meaning that hostbot has moved away from the robot, the robot must use the electrical energy converted to mechanical energy by the motors.

Mechanical energy is the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy. So say the slingshot system is on your minibot? So...legal?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

The rules say that after deployment, meaning that hostbot has moved away from the robot, the robot must use the electrical energy converted to mechanical energy by the motors.

Mechanical energy is the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy. So say the slingshot system is on your minibot? So...legal?

If the energy is stored in the slingshot system after deployment, I'd say you could do it.

The problem is storing enough energy in 9 or fewer seconds to hit the target with 2-4N of force in 1 second after release, by using the FTC motors.

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by EricH

If the energy is stored in the slingshot system after deployment, I'd say you could do it.

The problem is storing enough energy in 9 or fewer seconds to hit the target with 2-4N of force in 1 second after release, by using the FTC motors.

Even if you store the energy in the system before the match ends. Say about...30 seconds before the match ends, the minibot uses its motors/battery to build potential energy. Then, after deployment, it's using its own electrical energy converted to mechanical energy in the form of potential energy to propel itself up the pole.

?

- Sunny

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

Even if you store the energy in the system before the match ends. Say about...30 seconds before the match ends, the minibot uses its motors/battery to build potential energy. Then, after deployment, it's using its own electrical energy converted to mechanical energy in the form of potential energy to propel itself up the pole.

?

- Sunny

You're storing energy before deployment.

<G19> MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous and move up the POST solely through electric energy provided after DEPLOYMENT by the permitted, unaltered battery and converted to mechanical energy by the permitted unaltered motors (and associated, appropriate circuitry).
[bluebox]<G19> means that HOSTBOTS are not allowed to launch the MINIBOT up the pole at the TARGET, or otherwise contribute to the vertical movement of the MINIBOT. Energy for vertical movement may not be stored in the MINIBOT before DEPLOYMENT (except that which is contained within the battery and excluding incidental kinetic energy stored in the motors or wheels, but NOT, for example, in a flywheel).[/bluebox]

(emphasis mine)

You're storing non-incidental energy for vertical movement before deployment. Now, if you build it up after deployment, you should be OK; after all, you converted the electric energy to mechanical energy using the motors, then converted the mechanical energy into vertical motion.

[nighterfighter]

Eric-

As per my original question, would those rules prohibit what I was asking?
Although it is storing energy before deployment, it doesn't propel the minibot.

[mayde]

I don't spend much time with my nose in the rulebook, but i like to think that if it's not propelling the minibot in any way, that it should be legal. especially when you look at the spirit aspect of it.. i think it's a neat idea.

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by mayde

I don't spend much time with my nose in the rulebook, but i like to think that if it's not propelling the minibot in any way, that it should be legal. especially when you look at the spirit aspect of it.. i think it's a neat idea.

Bonus (cool) points if it is timed to deploy right as the end-game trumpets sound.

[Zoughtbaj]

Good sir, I believe you and I have the same idea in mind

The way I read it, as long as it does not apply to "move up the POST," it would not count, as the rule specifies that this only is prohibited. By moving up the post, it is implied that the force must apply to upward movement using the post, and therefore, if the movement does not directly effect your force up the post, or does not have anything to do with the the use of the post it shouldn't be prohibited, .

[ttldomination]

I don't see the HUGE benefit in the idea. Sure I suppose you might be able to gain 6 inches or so advantage. I suspect if you've maxed out your speed, then go for it.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by nighterfighter

Eric-

As per my original question, would those rules prohibit what I was asking?
Although it is storing energy before deployment, it doesn't propel the minibot.

I'd ask the GDC, but here's my take:

It does not contribute to vertical motion. As such, stored energy would be OK. It's a non-functional decoration.

*standard disclaimer* I'm not on the GDC, I don't know what their ruling will be. Q&A trumps all CD speculation.

[Lil' Lavery]

Ask Q&A. I'm eagerly awaiting the response.

[Jim Meyer]

If it's purely for decoration, you may get away with it. Technically, using stored energy to move anything vertically relative to the robot is against the rules. The antenna sticking up does move the center of gravity of the minibot up and should be recognized as contributing to the vertical movent of the robot, especially if this antenna wold be used to contact the plate at the top.