Are Limited Slingshots allowed?

[Jon Stratis]

<G19> is pretty clear about vertical movement - make sure the slingshot doesn't violate that. If you are just talking about horizontally pushing the minibot onto the pole... it's all going to come down to safety. Safety while working on it, safety for the audience, safety for the field crew. The last thing we want is to see a 15lb, pointy metal object airborne.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Noa,
All of these answers are correct. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to impart vertical motion on the minibot by anything other than direct action of the FTC motor(s). Stored energy always will garner additional inspection.

[noa_n_f]

Thank you all very much for the input. The slingshot will aid purely in horizontal movement.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Noa,
The determination of vertical and horizontal motion on the minibot will be performed by the refs on the field during each match. Inspectors will determine the safety of the stored energy during the inspection process.