"noodle hats" for Quals

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Jaxom

If I was inspecting robot C (the part's already been on B) and knew what was happening (one would hope the teams tell the inspector, but they may not even know what they're doing is even close to fishy) I'd have no problem considering the part a temporary part of robot B, C, D, or whatever. I'd never even consider it part of robot A (unless they put it on as well, but even then I don't think they're any different from the other teams wearing the part), except for the potential withholding allowance issue. I wouldn't worry about who built it; we have teams helping other teams all the time, and that help frequently involves fabrication. I don't recall ever hearing anyone consider that an issue.

I think you're comparing apples and oranges.

When teams help other teams, the parts tend to stay with one robot. Sure, there might be some exceptions, but it doesn't matter who builds that part.

What we're discussing is the issue where the exact same part turns up on multiple robots throughout the event, and the same team is always on the field with it, irregardless of which robot it is actually on in that match. Who built it is not relevant for this discussion--let's actually assume that Team D (not attending the event) built it for/with Team A at the Magnolia Regional before elims, just to be on the safe side and eliminate the builders from the equation entirely. So: It's always on the field with Team A. Whether it's on Team A's robot or not, it's always out there. Is it part of Team A's robot, or part of their partners' robots that use it?

Sure, for the match, it's part of the robot using it, and has to pass inspection on that robot. But for the competition, which robot is it a part of? Can you tell me, that for the entire competition, it is not a part of Team A's

electromechanical assembly built [...] to perform specific tasks when competing in ULTIMATE ASCENT. It includes all of the basic systems required to be an active participant in the game: power, communications, control, mobility, and actuation. The implementation must obviously follow a design approach intended to play ULTIMATE ASCENT [...].

After all, it is a strategic device intended to play UA defense of a particular type, and it presumably falls under electromechanical (the mechanical side at least). And it's only out there when Team A is out there.

Admittedly, this is a stretch. I'd rule it legal, but it's a judgement call, so I wouldn't say I'd make a similar decision if a similar situation would arise in 2014.