Team UPDATE 2014-2-18

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Manual site, 2/18/2014: http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/Updates/0#term 165

Game Manual

General Updates

As we approach competition season, we wanted to remind Teams to prioritize safety when transporting their ROBOT on and off the FIELD, to include transporting the ROBOT in its lowest potential energy state and/or including lockouts to help mitigate unexpected release of stored energy. Inspectors will ensure ROBOTS comply with R8 and do not create unsafe conditions. If inspectors feel your ROBOT is unsafe to be transported while storing energy, they will work with you to add lockouts to help mitigate the unexpected release of stored energy. If you are unsure as to whether or not you need lockouts, it’s best to be on the safe side and assume you do. Per T12, the Team should be able to safely release stored energy and be able to demonstrate this during Inspection. If the ROBOT creates an unsafe condition for people to be around it, on-FIELD troubleshooting prior to the MATCH will be limited to that which can be achieved safely.

At the Week 0 event in Merrimack, NH this past weekend, we noticed many of the ROBOTS slightly and accidentally violating G21. This raised two concerns for us. First, if this Violation were called consistently, the points in each MATCH earned via FOULS would rival the points earned via normal gameplay. Second, we believe that this Violation would not be enforced consistently throughout each event and across all of our events. Because of this, we are adjusting G21 and G40. We do not want ROBOTS intentionally reaching outside the FIELD for any reason. However, if it happens accidentally and marginally, no FOUL will be assigned.


Section 2.2.1: The FIELD

The HUMAN PLAYER BARRIER is a system that consists of horizontal pipes that are 1 ft. 8 in. above the floor and are supported by sheet metal struts that are integrated into the GUARDRAIL. The HUMAN PLAYER BARRIER extends 1 ft. 8 in. wider than the GUARDRAIL and creates a barricade between HUMAN PLAYERS and ROBOTS. The SAFETY ZONE is a 2 in. wide, infinitely tall region located 8 in. from the FIELD-side plane of the GUARDRAILS and is defined by yellow tape on the Human Player Barrier Brackets and the Human Player Barrier End Brackets.



Section 3.2.5 ROBOT Actions

G21
ROBOTS may not extend outside the FIELD.
Violation: If intentional or if ROBOT extends into the SAFETY ZONE, FOUL. If continuous or repeated violations, TECHNICAL FOUL. If contact with anything outside the FIELD SAFETY ZONE, RED CARD and the ROBOT will be DISABLED.

Section 3.2.7: Human Actions

G40
TEAMS may not extend any body part into the SAFETY ZONE into the FIELD during the MATCH.
Violation: TECHNICAL FOUL.


Section 6.1: Glossary

SAFETY ZONE: a 2 in. wide, infinitely tall region located 8 in. from the FIELD-side plane of the GUARDRAILS and is defined by yellow tape on the Human Player Barrier Brackets and the Human Player Barrier End Brackets.