Minibot

[Erik Huang]

why would you need sensors other than maybe a touch? as soon as it hits the pole, it should go up autonomously, no?

[Randy Picolet]

Originally Posted by EricH

Can you cite a rule? I couldn't find one or a combination.

See the gossary for ROBOT... ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT.

[Ultramadscienti]

I think I found the rule that would prevent a spring-loaded minibot. I may be interpreting it wrong though. If the list of parts allowed for the minibot says "C. exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack identical to those supplied in the FTC kit of parts (PN W739057)" that is exactly one, not up to one. So having a battery on board would defeat the purpose of having a spring-loaded minibot. Just saying.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Ultramadscienti

So having a battery on board would defeat the purpose of having a spring-loaded minibot. Just saying.

So you mean that just using the battery as extra weight (not electrically connected to anything) prevents me from spring-shooting it up the pole?

I do read the Minobot rule C as "Exactly one" - not zero, not two or more, so I must have that battery as part of the robot. I just have not yet found any rule that requires me to draw any energy from that battery.

[DonRotolo]

OK, that being said:

<G19> After DEPLOYMENT, MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous. Violation: The TOWER on which the MINIBOT is DEPLOYED is diabled. If the MINIBOT is not deployed on a TOWER, then the ALLIANCE’s TOWER upon which the highest RACE SCORE was earned will be discounted.

Interference by an ALLIANCE refers to any action taken by that ALLIANCE that results in disruption of the MINIBOT’s progress. This may include, but is not limited to,

a) throwing a GAME PIECE at the MINIBOT/TOWER,
b) driving a ROBOT or GAME PIECE into the TOWER, or
c) directly contacting the MINIBOT or TOWER.

An example of unsafe operation would be uncontrolled motion that cannot be
stopped by the DRIVERS.

(Emphasis mine)

This may be controversial, but if I launch a minibot mechanically (e.g. with a spring), is that "uncontrolled motion that cannot be stopped by the drivers"? If so, it is "unsafe" and not allowed.

(Yes, I know that even the 'conventional' minibots shown at kickoff couldn't be stopped either).

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

OK, that being said:
(Emphasis mine)

This may be controversial, but if I launch a minibot mechanically (e.g. with a spring), is that "uncontrolled motion that cannot be stopped by the drivers"? If so, it is "unsafe" and not allowed.

(Yes, I know that even the 'conventional' minibots shown at kickoff couldn't be stopped either).

That rules makes every minibot illegal, as a non autonomous minibot is against the rules.

[Ultramadscienti]

I didn't mean that you couldn't make a spring-loaded minibot, I was merely remarking upon the paradox of adding dead weight to something that needs to climb (or launch and reach a specific altitude and hit a target with a specific force) fast.

[EricH]

You can also read that rule as you are permitted to have exactly one battery, or, If we use a battery it must be exactly one of this type.

For the record, there are mechanically autonomous things. For example, certain types of clocks, mousetrap cars, Rube Goldberg machines (in general).

I would suggest that any Minibot attached to the pole is not undergoing uncontrolled motion, unless it's going from top to bottom and back again at extremely high speed. The motion is perfectly constrained and all you need is something to stop it.

[beandip3160]

Originally Posted by kfgk14

Hypothetically, if one wanted to use a spring-loaded fulcrum to launch their minibot up the tower, would that be legal? Would the minibot then be considered a projectile? Does the minibot have to use a motor?
Would this be considered a safety hazard?
Could this (or a variation of this concept) be legal?

The rules say that you cant use stored energy
also the host bot itself may not deploy the minibot

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by beandip3160

also the host bot itself may not deploy the minibot

What?

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but it suddenly has me very worried that I have missed something rather important!

[dodar]

Does the entire minibot have to climb the pole or can like half go up and the other half stay at the bottom?

NVM, cant grow bigger than the size limit.

[adam the great]

Originally Posted by Erik Huang

I believe you can only have 1 minibot.

You CAN have more than one minibot. obviously not on the bot at a time but you can have more than one. It is also to allow teams to lend them to other team for coopertition points.

[firemaster193]

We were thinking the same thing but we found a rule stating that the minibot must have 1 motor we think it means it must use a motor to get up to the top of the tower

[EricH]

Originally Posted by firemaster193

We were thinking the same thing but we found a rule stating that the minibot must have 1 motor we think it means it must use a motor to get up to the top of the tower

Minibots are not required to have any motors at all.

However, climbing the pole legally without at least one of the Tetrix motors is impossible under <G19>. You are allowed 2 Tetrix motors, and no more, on a minibot.

[Durham86]

Here is a short video of our minibot and we would love some positive feedback from anyone that can offer it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZvXsaTXGfI
Thank you from team 2883 F.R.E.D