Heads Up - R93 is a Hard Dimension (operator console)

[Jon Stratis]

This rule isn't all that much different from past years...

2012:

R82:
The Operator Console must not exceed 44 in. long by 12 in. deep (excluding any items that are held or worn by the Drivers during the Match).

2013:

R93:
The OPERATOR CONSOLE must not exceed 60 in. long by 12 in. deep (excluding any items that are held or worn by the DRIVERS during the match).

This really shouldn't be a surprise for any veteran team.

[sircedric4]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

This rule isn't all that much different from past years...

2012:


2013:


This really shouldn't be a surprise for any veteran team.

It was a surprise last year when we were told we had to make our console shorter eventhough it easily was held up by the shelf. We were able to get a pass luckily so I kept an eye out for it this year so we wouldnt get burned again. I was hoping they would fix the rule like they did the arbitrary bumper number one color with no contrast rule last year.

When they didnt I pursued a search to try and keep my desired design approach to meet the rule.

When that did not work I tried to get the rule reevaluated through QA.

When that did not work I have now moved to a heads up to everyone to try and make sure people dont repeat our mistake from last year.

Prior to last year no one really cared how deep the console was as long as it didnt fall off the shelf. Some veteran teams were suggesting consoles that would not work on another thread and it took the GDC 4 days to answer the question when most questions are answered in a few hours. I felt it deserved a new topic and some discussion.

[JesseK]

Elevate & Angle the laptop with a Laptop Stand. We made our own last year.

[FrankJ]

I am not on the rules committee, inspector, or ref. So my opinion is just an opinion.
The reason for the shorter operator console last year was because one of the stations was shorter. The reason for length/depth rule is so the operator console will sit firmly on the shelve. I do not recall an inspector ever really looking at our console other than to get the versions of software being run. We ended up using the programmers monster laptop because of code hog issues. It was deeper than 12 in & overhung the console but it all sat firmly on the shelve. Thankfully nobody said Boo to us. Does not mean that somewhere else some one might. Always good to be totally within the rules.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

This rule isn't all that much different from past years...

2012:


2013:


This really shouldn't be a surprise for any veteran team.

While true even last year teams (including ours) used a briefcase that stuck out over the 12in and it was fine. It is a pain because if you wanted to have a handle you need to make sure if fits within the 12in as well.