paper: 2015 IRI Rule Changes

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Mike Koch

..., FIRST is acting exactly like a typical Client does in the real world: changing specifications after the contract has been signed and work well under way, and with no deferment of the delivery date or adjustment in price.

And this is a good thing.

I agree completely.

However, meta-reasoning aside, the straightforward reason for IRI rules changes remains what it has been for many years, and it is probably the best reason I have for going to IRI as often as I am able to: we get to play and see a better game.

Originally Posted by IRI Committee

The intent of the IRI Committee is to minimize the changes to the game and avoid negatively impacting a team / robot / strategy that was implemented to play the game as originally designed, while also increasing the game challenge and level of play for the IRI. Our goals for these changes include: 1) Allow for high scores by minimizing the chance of running out of game pieces; 2) Minimize the number of match outcomes determined in the first second of the match; 3) Don’t invalidate an existing good design or strategy; 4) Keep the event safe; and 5) Don’t start a can-war arms race that encourages teams to invest significant time and resources into an ever-faster device to capture Recycle Containers from the step.
The committee believes the rule changes below meet these goals.

[JB987]

I think these rule changes are great. In fact we are likely to adopt several of them at our CRC (China Robotics Challenge) in August

[Racer26]

It does, however, mean that we won't get to see 1114's harpoons in a competition match...

[The other Gabe]

Originally Posted by Racer26

It does, however, mean that we won't get to see 1114's harpoons in a competition match...

well, they could still use two of them...

[CVR]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

[2 extra Recycle Containers] ...can be placed anywhere between the guardrails, player station wall and the step, but must be completely out of the Auto Zone. (For example, they can be on a tote, on the carpet, on the scoring platform, on another Recycle container.)

Could you clarify this a little bit?

Are teams able to place the RCs in any orientation? (for example: up right, sideways, upside down)

Can the RCs start the match touching a robot? In particular, can they start supported only by the robot? If they do have to start in contact with the floor or another game piece, can they be partially supported by a robot? If they cannot be partially supported by the robot, can the robot be partially supported by the RC? (for example: A canburgler resting on the RC)


4039 appreciates all the hard work you and others have put into making IRI a world-class event, and we're eager to finalize some plans we have to make ROY G BIV even more competitive.

[Chris Fultz]

In general, you can put them where you want (within the limits above), in any orientation you want.

However, the rules for the extra RCs are different from the 3 already on the field. so let us think about how to word this.

[MooreteP]

Would you consider the rule changes that BattleCry will be trying this weekend?

They are removing some totes from the landfill to create space on the step to score more points with the golden totes. An interesting permutation.
BattleCry Rules of Engagement
1. Bonus Circle (“BC”) End Game Opportunity: Two 12-inch circles marked as “BC” will be attached to the step for each QUALIFICATION match.
Each circle has a designated color (red or blue). Bonus Points will be scored based on the color of the dot, not based on the alliance of the robot who placed totes on that dot.
AT THE END OF THE MATCH: An alliance will be awarded 10 bonus points for EACH yellow tote in contact with their color BC or solely supported by a tote in contact with their color BC at the end of the match.
NOTE: The BCs do not affect how or when the COOPERTITION STACK or SET are scored by referees. They will be scored per 3.1.2.2.

This alteration provides for an opportunity for alliances to compete for the Co-opertition totes to gain more points.
Heck, if you made it 20 points per golden tote things could get crazy.

Imagine two teams on opposing alliances battling for the co-opertition stack after the 5-second time limit. Waiting to place them on a scoring circle before time expires, while the other alliance tries to knock them down........

[logank013]

Checked out IRI changes last week. Seems like really good changes but also really game altering. Taking away bin wars now eliminates any defense what-so-ever that was in the game. Disappointing but good at the same time I think. Can't wait to be there with my team. Good luck to all in the off season.

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by logank013

Checked out IRI changes last week. Seems like really good changes but also really game altering. Taking away bin wars now eliminates any defense what-so-ever that was in the game. Disappointing but good at the same time I think. Can't wait to be there with my team. Good luck to all in the off season.

I love these changes, and removing the can wars is the best one. Matches wont be decided in the first second, so it'll be more of a battle of consistency and scoring potential. As for defense, we still have the pool noodles and the center cans if a team misses them in auto.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Maximillian

Do the 2 added recycling containers have to start the match contacting the field or can they be pre-loaded into robots?

Was this question ever completely answered?

[CVR]

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

Was this question ever completely answered?

As far as I know, Chris hasn't mentioned anything more elaborate than this:

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

In general, you can put them where you want (within the limits above), in any orientation you want.

However, the rules for the extra RCs are different from the 3 already on the field. so let us think about how to word this.

Above referring to his original post (I believe).

I'm sure the IRI committee have been busy with the huge task of the invite list, and now that's finished, I expect that we'll get an answer relatively soon.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

This rule will be amended slightly to further reinforce the desire to limit the can-burgler arms race. (If you keep finding loopholes, we will continue to close them.)

"A robot, robot part, or game piece that has been contacted by a robot or robot part, may not break the vertical plane formed by the near edge of the step during autonomous. When viewed from the drivers station, this vertical plane extends from the left side of the step to exactly half the width of the field, and extends downward 5 feet below the floor level and upward 46 feet above the floor level. Violation is a RED CARD."

"The only exception to this rule is a robot that has collected yellow totes during autonomous and then scored them on the open area of the step also during autonomous. In this situation, we will not throw a red card, but we will applaud the team that has done this."

This rule would also currently bar a design like 1024's only being intended for use on the right side, or 610's "crossbow" with only the right side rod extended. I don't believe this is the intent, but could a design like a one-sided 610 or 1024 be used, or would that be illegal?

(This is why we don't try to lawyer the rules against their obvious intent. It makes some otherwise-legal designs illegal.)

[Bennett548]

I think the intent was to give each team shot at two of the recycling containers on the step. Dividing the step in half is really the best way to do this, to prevent 610 and 1024 (for example) from colliding in the middle of the step.

In this case I feel the clarification was necessary to prevent teams from building blocking devices.

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

I don't believe this is the intent, but could a design like a one-sided 610 or 1024 be used, or would that be illegal?

The beauty of the clarification is that it provides a very clear answer to your question. If their "robot, robot part, or game piece that has been contacted by a robot" breaks that plane they are given a red card.

1024 could just only use one arm. 610 could remove half their arm and move the robot over a bit and that might work, but they may need to remove part of the structure so that it doesn't break that boundary plane.

[Poseidon5817]

From 2.3.1: Totes

Each MATCH begins with 142 Gray TOTES and six (6) yellow TOTES. The totes are staged before the match in the following manner:

Twelve (12) gray TOTES are placed on the STEP.

Twenty-Eight (28) gray TOTES are placed in each LANDFILL ZONE.

Forty-Two (42) gray TOTES are placed in each ALLIANCE STATION.

One (1) yellow TOTE is placed in each of the six (6) taped boxes as described in Section 2.1.5: Zone Markings

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't there be 152 gray totes on the field at the start of the match according to the list above?

12 + (2*28) + (2*42)
12 + 56 + 84 = 152

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by CVR

Could you clarify this a little bit?

Are teams able to place the RCs in any orientation? (for example: up right, sideways, upside down)

Can the RCs start the match touching a robot? In particular, can they start supported only by the robot? If they do have to start in contact with the floor or another game piece, can they be partially supported by a robot? If they cannot be partially supported by the robot, can the robot be partially supported by the RC? (for example: A canburgler resting on the RC)


4039 appreciates all the hard work you and others have put into making IRI a world-class event, and we're eager to finalize some plans we have to make ROY G BIV even more competitive.

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

In general, you can put them where you want (within the limits above), in any orientation you want.

However, the rules for the extra RCs are different from the 3 already on the field. so let us think about how to word this.

Has there been any changes due to this question?