Careful when you push a Gear

[ns3517]

Originally Posted by EricH

Doubtful. See also "5-inch-high Bumpers at <=7 inches from the floor". Could possibly be done, but not as easy as you might think.

You only need 6" of bumpers on each side so depending on your drive train couldn't you still have a big portion of the center open to drive right over?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ns3517

You only need 6" of bumpers on each side so depending on your drive train couldn't you still have a big portion of the center open to drive right over?

Actually, for practical purposes, you need 9" on each side of your volume (remember that bumpers are included in volume this year adds about 3" onto each side). That being said, the tall-class robots are going to have some trouble (and need precision driving), even in the wide configuration. The short-class robots will be OK from a bumper point of view, most likely--but then you have to factor in frame/intake design, which may or may not be conducive to driving over gears. I'd be inclined to say that for most fuel-type robots, driving right over a gear is probably going to be an exercise in futility; robots designed specifically for gear handling will be more able to deal with inadvertent gears in their path.

All this leaves out the refs' judgement calls, which are what really matter.

[NinjaMunkeeNao]

Yeah, you're gonna have to be careful getting those things. That's a pretty strict rule.

One thing though, if you accidentally bump/push a gear while you're carrying one, would that penalize you or no?

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by NinjaMunkeeNao

Yeah, you're gonna have to be careful getting those things. That's a pretty strict rule.

One thing though, if you accidentally bump/push a gear while you're carrying one, would that penalize you or no?

I'm not the gdc but I'd say yes you would be penalized. Refs can't pick and choose who to give fouls to regardless of whether it's accidental. Many teams accidently had 2 boulders cross the defenses with them. It was a foul every time regardless.

[NinjaMunkeeNao]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

I'm not the gdc but I'd say yes you would be penalized. Refs can't pick and choose who to give fouls to regardless of whether it's accidental. Many teams accidently had 2 boulders cross the defenses with them. It was a foul every time regardless.

That's true, forgot about how frequent that bolder thing was... same thing this year but with gears I guess lol.

[jspatz1]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Refs can't pick and choose who to give fouls to regardless of whether it's accidental.

This is not true. There have been several FRC games where "controlling" was a judgement call by the ref based on whether it appeared to be incidental or intentional. Another example is FTC this year, where this was distinguished as "plowing" vs. "herding" of particles. The G27 blue box makes the same distinction this year with ""bull dozing" and "deflection" vs. "herding". They might further clarify, but it seems the G27 blue box is consistent with similar past rules. If I clearly maneuver to push a gear sideways away from a peg so that I can then maneuver to the peg, or herd a gear across the field or away from an opponent, I would expect that to be called. If I plow or deflect a gear in the act of driving straight to the peg, I would not expect that to be called.

[ns3517]

Originally Posted by EricH

Actually, for practical purposes, you need 9" on each side of your volume (remember that bumpers are included in volume this year adds about 3" onto each side). That being said, the tall-class robots are going to have some trouble (and need precision driving), even in the wide configuration. The short-class robots will be OK from a bumper point of view, most likely--but then you have to factor in frame/intake design, which may or may not be conducive to driving over gears. I'd be inclined to say that for most fuel-type robots, driving right over a gear is probably going to be an exercise in futility; robots designed specifically for gear handling will be more able to deal with inadvertent gears in their path.

All this leaves out the refs' judgement calls, which are what really matter.

Very true, if you were to drive over you would have to be clear of the gear to avoid any close calls.

[GaryVoshol]

From the G27 blue box:

Examples of interaction with GEARS that are not “control” include, but are not limited to:
A. “bulldozing” (inadvertent contact with GEARS while in the path of the ROBOT moving about the FIELD)
B. “deflecting” (being hit by a GEAR that bounces into or off of a ROBOT).

Not every touch is a control.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Honestly, I'd assume if you just run into the gear on the way to the peg, you're fine. The difference between bulldozing and control is very much intent and speed. If you take a special approach to move the gear on the floor then you're controlling it. If you run into the gear while you're placing the one you have, it should be fine.