Minibot Stored Energy

[MagiChau]

Wait? I think this is getting a bit off-topic. The guy seems to want a have a decoration on the minibot. As far as I know according to <G19> it would be legal assuming this is indeed a decoration and does not contribute to any vertical movement at all.

[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.

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by 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.

I would have to agree, technically the antenna would still be considered part of your minibot and by your antenna moving up, then the stored energy would cause your minibot to gain altitude using stored energy which is not allowed. If you some how stored the energy after deployment it might be legal. I would ask Q&A though.

[sjspry]

<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).

So would it be possible to, before deployment, use some of the minibot's battery to power ... something ... and store energy? It seems like it would to me, as long as that power originated from the minibot's battery.

[Joachim]

Originally Posted by sjspry

So would it be possible to, before deployment, use some of the minibot's battery to power ... something ... and store energy? It seems like it would to me, as long as that power originated from the minibot's battery.

The GDC's wording could have been better, IMO, I think they meant this:

<G19> means . . . . Energy for vertical movement may not be stored in the MINIBOT before DEPLOYMENT (except within the battery and excluding incidental kinetic energy stored in the motors or wheels, but NOT, for example, in a flywheel)..

They just used a few unnecessary words ("that which is contained") which create potential confusion because they are unnecessary. A flywheel is just an example of what is not within the exception for "incidental kinetic energy." There is no other exception.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

As I understand the original post, this design would have something on the robot that is extended after deployment to make the minibot extend to the maximum size but still be contained within the 12 cube. As the stored energy is not contributing to the climbing of the post, but merely contributing to a change in attitude, or configuration, it appears from the description and my understanding to be within the rules. The GDC through the Q&A is the final say so please form your question and post it on the Q&A.

[Seelingcat]

Originally Posted by ZonChau

Wait? I think this is getting a bit off-topic. The guy seems to want a have a decoration on the minibot. As far as I know according to <G19> it would be legal assuming this is indeed a decoration and does not contribute to any vertical movement at all.

this^

even if <G19> weren't there, I'd say go for it. I mean, they're not going to kill your team if you put that on there. Just put it on and if it's illegal take it off. If it's just for decoration it shouldn't do anything if removed.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Non-functional decorations are just that.