Bridge safety during field reset

[jvriezen]

Seems there has been little discussion concerning safety after a match completes. We'll have bots on either end of a balanced bridge, and removing one will cause the other to suddenly drop. This will there are a bunch of people on the field trying to gather up balls, move and retrieve other bots, etc.

Also, a bridge may be near a tipping point and just laying a hand on a bot causes it to move one foot up or down suddenly. Just seems like accidents waiting to happen.

I only recall reading a warning about the bridge mechanism's pinch points, but not about 150 lb bots falling two feet suddenly.

[JB987]

Hmmm,
Maybe some more coopertition? Team members of each bot balanced work together and remove at the same time, reducing chances of significant tipping. And if just one bot or last bot of three (likely in center), you just gently tip the bridge and the bot will slide down to be picked up from each side of the bot while the bridge slowly returns to balance point.

[Hallry]

Worry can also be caused by the barrier in the middle of the field. Just think of how many unobservant reset members are going to accidentally trip over it...FIRST is going to have to be exceptionally persistent with reminding everyone of safety this year.

[Andrew Bates]

I would hope they have blocks to place under the ends of the bridges at the completion of a match.

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by Andrew Bates

I would hope they have blocks to place under the ends of the bridges at the completion of a match.

Blocks sound good, especially if they can put in blocks to keep it at whatever position it comes to rest at after the match (basically only three, unless balls or other stuff is stuck underneath it. Trying to move the bridge to another position to accept the blocks would not be safe.