[FRC Blog] The Right Thing to Do

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by BethMo

It looked to me like 4486 should have gotten a red card in the autonomous period of that first match -- and yes, 971 in F1 at SVR the same thing. Both based on Q&A #29 and #226:

Q. If the actions of one alliance cause the other to violate G18, which alliance will be penalized? For example, if one robot from each alliance has a grasp on a container on the step and the blue alliance robot is pulled over the step by the red alliance robot while pulling on the container.
A. We can't answer your question as there are many different scenarios that could be in play. If the violation is momentary (i.e. the ROBOT is only momentarily in contact with that RECYCLING CONTAINER that is now on the opposite side of the STEP, but lets go quickly and retreats), then there's no violation and neither ALLIANCE is penalized. If, however, the contact is extended, the ALLIANCE with the ROBOT violating G18 will be penalized.

Q.In reference to Q29 and Q221 for two robots grabbing the recycling bin from the STEP: What happens if neither robot can be controlled by their drivers, in a situation like the Autonomous period? Would it be the same scenario as Q29, where the robot that is violating G18 would be
assigned a foul?
A.Yes, unless explicitly stated (e.g. a Rule is posted in Section 3.2.4 AUTO Rules), violations apply whether the MATCH is in AUTO or TELEOP.

This is going to pose a serious issue if there are can wars in auto, which have a strong possibility. At what point can a team design a breakaway mechanism that separates just as the can reaches a certain point on the field, while still having a strong enough mechanism to pull the can off the step in some type of tug of war?

And even in teleop, a grabber can easily become entangled when another team pulls a can. It's a bit late to require teams to redesign to fit this added requirement. (Remember these are HS students...)