Team Update 1-15-2013

[Steve Kaneb]

I think the despair expressed in this thread might be premature.

The updated rule reads (in part):

Originally Posted by 2k13 FRC Manual

While in contact with the PYRAMID, a ROBOT

may not have its horizontal dimensions exceed a 54 in. diameter vertical cylinder relative to the ROBOT

Nowhere in this rule do the words "in its starting configuration" appear. It's most likely that in any configuration where your robot can fit within a virtual 54" cylinder that extends "vertically", while still fulfilling the rules of robot height (not to exceed 84") and the rule about the vertical plane that extends from a line 54" from the pyramid, that your robot is legally within the volume limits.

I foresee a referee noting a possible infraction, then checking after the match by having the team reposition their robot as it was when he had doubts to its legality (even if it has to stand on a bumper!). Once the robot is in the configuration, a hoop is passed over the robot. If the hoop can be extended vertically without contacting the robot, the robot was legal.