Air Defense System

[Rocketeeringer]

Hi everyone,

My team was brainstorming ideas for our robot's role in the game, and one thing we thought of was a defensive robot that used an air cannon or fan to knock balls off their trajectory.

This seems like a logical thing to do, since when you're playing defense you will be shorter than the opponent that is scoring.

I could not find anything in the rules that would outlaw this besides
G13, which says that "Basketballs may not be intentionally placed out of bounds," and under
Robot 4.1.8 Motors and Actuators which states that "The only motors and actuators permitted on 2012 FRC Robots include: (K.) drive motors or fans that are part of a speed controller or COTS computing device."

Although, R71 says that "For the purposes of the FRC, the following devices are not considered pneumatic devices and are not subject to pneumatic rules (though they must satisfy all other rules): a device that creates a vacuum,...", so we could potentially use a vacuum to achieve the same purpose.

So, would this be an illegal tactic? Is it within the spirit of the game?

Thanks!

[staplemonx]

We are thinking the same thing. the kids looked up quite a few different focused air blast technologies last night.

[mdiradoorian]

as a joke what about attaching a big piece of plywood onto your robot so that you can block shots.

[the man]

This could make for some boring matches...

[gyroscopeRaptor]

We joked about this idea, and playing the "Fus Roh Dah!" clip from Skyrim every time it fires.

[burnzkid]

Originally Posted by gyroscopeRaptor

We joked about this idea, and playing the "Fus Roh Dah!" clip from Skyrim every time it fires.

I giggled at this one. But what our team was thinking about is a big deployable net, much like a ship's sail, to interfere, which would also collect balls for us to shoot, in addition to our other collection system.

[Ninja_Bait]

Originally Posted by burnzkid

I giggled at this one. But what our team was thinking about is a big deployable net, much like a ship's sail, to interfere, which would also collect balls for us to shoot, in addition to our other collection system.

G20 says you can't be above 60" when defending, so this strategy might not be so useful for blocking anything above the bottom goal.

[Rocketeeringer]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Bait

G20 says you can't be above 60" when defending, so this strategy might not be so useful for blocking anything above the bottom goal.

which is exactly why we decided on the air defense method, we just need to know if it is illegal or not in the spirit

[Sean Raia]

I cannot see this being ruled as illegal or not in the spirit of FIRST.
What i CAN see is this not working, at all. Please, prove me wrong, i'd love to see a robot like this on the field.

[Chickenonastick]

Originally Posted by Rocketeeringer

which is exactly why we decided on the air defense method, we just need to know if it is illegal or not in the spirit

What would you use to generate an updraft?

[Rocketeeringer]

Originally Posted by Chickenonastick

What would you use to generate an updraft?

pneumatic cannon, i think fans are illegal under Robot 4.1.8 Motors and Actuators,
or maybe a vacuum, that is exempt

[the man]

If you switch out the motors on a vacuum or fan you could use it.

[blayde5]

We are allowed 22 motors this year...

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Rocketeeringer

pneumatic cannon, i think fans are illegal under Robot 4.1.8 Motors and Actuators,
or maybe a vacuum, that is exempt

Fans are not illegal, please quote where you thing they are.

A pneumatic cannon would be difficult with the small valves we use.

[IndySam]

So you need to have enough air to deflect a ball that is at least three feet above you and moving. Gonna be a heck of a fan.