Can we stand one more thread on entanglement?

[Joe Johnson]

FIRST seems to be very clear now. Not only because of taking back their answer to #321, but because of #335 shown below.

Joe J.

> I would really like clear answers to the following questions:
>
> Setup:
>
> Suppose there is a robot that can split down the middle.
>
> Suppose that at the start of the match, the robot splits with only a
> 30 ft bundle of wires connecting them.
>
> Assume that it is a bundle of four 10 gauge wires and four 16 gauge
> wires. Also assume that they are strain relieved and bundled
> appropriately.
>
> Question A:
> Is it legal for such a robot to drive around the entire match in
this
> fashion?

No, because the wires would present a risk of entanglement.

> Question B:
> Would the answer change if the tether was longer or shorter?

If the tether was short enough that it did not present a risk of
becoming entangled in a robot or a goal, then it would be allowed.

> Question C:
> Would the answer change if the robots did not split until the last
> few seconds of a match?

No. Timing is not considered.

> Question D:
> Would the answer change if the bundle of wires was made of more
> bigger wires, more wires, smaller wires or fewer wires?

The bundle will be evaluated by the robot inspectors at each event,
and by the referees on the field during each match. If at any point
it is deemed to present a risk of entanglement, then it will be
disallowed.

> Question E1:
> If there is some situation that such a case would be legal, would
> such a robot be found in violation of rule that prohibits going
under
> the goal (GM20) if the goal was pushed up over the tether by another
> robot?

This would not be a violation of GM20, because the robot did not
intentionally put the tether under the goal. However, the alliance
pushing the goal over the robot could be penalized if damage to
the goal was deemed likely to occur as a result of passing the goal
over a robot.

> Question E2:
> If there is some situation that such a case would be legal, would
> such a robot be found in violation of rule that prohibits going
under
> the goal (GM20) if one half of robot went around a goal one way and
> the other half went around the robot the other way and the bundle
> went under the lower plywood base?

Intentionally passing a part of the robot under the goal would be
considered a violation of Rule GM20.

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ER