Team 68's REAL ROBOT!!!

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by Paul Copioli


As far as the pinning goes, I would be VERY suprised if a team got DQ'd for pinning you if your outriggers are reacting with the midfield barrier. Team 217's interpretation of the rule is that the midfield pipes are there to make it harder to cross the field. Any other use of the barrier is probably illegal.

The argument that you're not touching the barrier until someone pushes you is a pretty weak claim, because it is clear to me that you are straddling the midfield bar for a specific purpose.

For what it's worth, I think you have an amazing design.

-Paul

I said it in a reply once, and I will say it again... There's a fine line between intentionally using the 14" bar to block robot, and blocking a limbo bot with your robot in front of the bar because your robot won't fit in.

Consider these 3 scenario that involve the bar to block opponent robot:

1. Putting bins in front of the bar, so opponent robot can't go under because the bin is in the way,
2. Putting your 14"< robot in front of the bar, and even though the opponent robot could out push your robot, your robot will never fit under, thus blocking your opponent
3. extending an arm in front of the barrier and block the enemy robot because the bar is supporting it from behind.

Now, obviously the first scenario is legal, because they intentionally design the bar so bins won't fit under, and FIRST should've taken into account that robots will be blocked because of that. For the 2nd scenario, it should be legal also, because the opponent robot will be pinning your robot against a wall if they keep pushing.

As for the 3rd scenario, I agree with Paul that you may not use the 14" bar to make a part of your robot functional. If the bar isn't there, I doubt the arm will stop robot from going across. Sure, it is legal to use it when the arm isn't touching the barrier, which will happen when opponent robot sees that they can't go under when the arm is there. But as soon as the opponent robot touch the arm, and the arm use the 14" bar to react, then it will be illegal, at least that's the way I see it.

So, unless FIRST change the rule regarding robots reacting against field barriers, I honestly believe it is illegal to deploy such a device to block enemy robot, imho. Otherwise, it is unfair for teams who strictly follow the rules. If it was legal, a lot of robots would've use the bar to flip themselves over, or use the side barrier to lock themselves in place.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, because I believe this is one of the most creative idea I’ve ever seen this year…

Please ask FIRST about this, and show them the picture.