Flipping bots

[EricH]

Originally Posted by wilhitern1

3.2.6.4 G30
Fallen (i.e. tipped over) ROBOTS attempting to right themselves (either by themselves or with assistance from an
ALLIANCE partner) have one (1) ten (10)-second grace period per fallen ROBOT in which the fallen ROBOT may not
be contacted by an opposing ROBOT.
This protection lasts for either ten (10) seconds or until the protected ROBOT has completed the righting operation,
whichever comes first.


So logically if I could swing my frame (including my bumpers) into the right position relative to the rest of the robot, then in theory, I have violated the rules unless there is a rule against intentionally tipping over.

Neal

Originally Posted by Whippet

So it really depends on if you are deemed to be blocking the field or not.

Both incorrect. We'll skip blocking the field for now, and focus in on the "flopbot"--also note that blocking the field shouldn't be an issue unless that 6" goal blocker is out to full extent. Noting first that there's a perfectly legal alternative--namely, dropping extensions and not pulling them back up--the crux of what makes the strategy illegal has to do with the bumpers and the Frame Perimeter. And, in fact, the SECOND rule in the Robot section immediately makes the proposed bumper frame idea illegal.

Originally Posted by Manual Section 4

4.1.2 R2
The ROBOT must have a FRAME PERIMETER, contained within the BUMPER ZONE, that is comprised of fixed, non-articulated structural elements of the ROBOT. Minor protrusions no greater than ¼ in. such as bolt heads, fastener ends, and rivets are not considered part of the FRAME PERIMETER.

As we all know, the Bumpers must be within the Bumper Zone at all times. I'll hold off there for a moment while I go through the rules a bit further.

Next up, the Frame Perimeter, which is determined in the Bumper Zone.

4.1.4 R4
In the STARTING CONFIGURATION, the ROBOT must constrain itself such that no part of the ROBOT extends outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER, with the exception of minor protrusions such as bolt heads, fastener ends, rivets, etc.
If a ROBOT is designed as intended and pushed up against a vertical wall (in STARTING CONFIGURATION and with BUMPERS removed), only the FRAME PERIMETER (or minor protrusions) will be in contact with the wall.

In other words, the Frame Perimeter, as determined by the normal configuration of the robot, must be able to be against a wall, or close enough to it.

Per R22,

BUMPERS must be located entirely within the BUMPER ZONE, which is between two (2) and ten (10) in. from the floor, in reference to the ROBOT standing normally on a flat floor.
There is no explicit requirement that BUMPERS be perfectly parallel to the floor, however the requirement that BUMPERS be constructed per Figure 4-8, the vertical cross-section, does implicitly mean that a BUMPER should not overtly deviate from this orientation.

So far, the bumpers must remain in the bumper zone, which is parallel to the floor, and they must be mounted on fixed, non-articulated structural elements of the robot--and, to start out, the robot needs to have nothing outside the frame perimeter. I'd add in R23, but that one specifically calls out that it's with reference to the Frame Perimeter--which I've already established as having to be non-articulated.

I think that's enough to show that flopping down to start the match is impossible to do legally. 16 was able to do it in 2008 because of somewhat relaxed (and still in flux, to some extent) bumper rules--but unless those relax, 16 is the very last team to compete with a flopbot.

About that blocking the field--I'd consider that to be the least of my concerns, unless I actually had a goalie pole that was out when I flopped over. 50 points can be overcome, if assessed--but not with a disabled robot (G20, for violation of bumper rules) or down a robot (T6 and T7 require you to not show up if you haven't passed inspection, under pain of alliance red card and you not being allowed to compete until you've passed).