Tools to get to Starting Configuration

[rich2202]

Q492 Q. Rule G.4 states that out of bound robot may be disabled, unless fix is quick. How quick? Please clarify. If fix is very quick (move a piece of tubing off bumper) can ref disable anyway? If fix happens more than once in competition, can ref disable rather than allow fix?

A. There is no formal definition of "quick remedy". In general, moving a piece of the ROBOT by hand would constitute a quick remedy while an action requiring tools or tethering would not.

I saw a team that used a ratchet on the field to get a robot to Starting Configuration. That way, the shooter was not loaded while transporting. The answer seems to imply that using a tool on the field to get to starting configuration is not permitted.

Any thoughts?

One could parse it and say: Using a tool to get to starting configuration is ok, but once you leave the field, if your bot is out of spec, then you can't fix it with a tool.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

rich,
This rule is most often used when a team is repeatedly delaying the start of a match while performing an action that should be taken prior to taking the field. I would expect that decision lies entirely with the Head Ref.

[MrRoboSteve]

The text you are quoting describes the steps that teams can take to remedy issues with starting configuration, once the robot is fully placed on the field.

What I have observed (I'm not a trained referee):

The referees typically notice these issues later in the reset process, after team members have placed the robot and left the field. This leaves little time for teams to fix issues.

* many teams visually inspect their robot prior to leaving the field during the setup process

* referees want to see robots compete

* everyone wants matches to run on schedule, so that the day ends on schedule

* teams in early matches (i.e., first qual match) may be allowed a minute or two extra to fix issues. This is at the discretion of the referee and FTA, and is influenced by how close to the schedule the matches are running, among other things.

* referees are less patient with teams that repeatedly have perimeter issues. I saw a list being maintained at one regional this year so that repeat offenders could be detected and warned.

Teams that use a tool to store energy in their robot often have mechanical lockouts to ensure that it can be transported safely. Those robots come onto the field preloaded with stored energy, and the lockout is removed as part of placing the robot on the field. Lockouts are a good design feature on robots with stored energy.

[JohnBoucher]

Robot inspectors do watch some of the matches to see which robots need help and work with them on their issues. Starting configurations, bumpers, loose parts and so on.

All the support staff want the teams to play as much as possible, but they also need to keep the match flow going. A reasonable amount of time can be taken by the teams setting up.