Is this legal

[Marc P.]

I don't see anythign wrong with the robot itself in that picture. However, I do see potentially illegal strategy with such a low-riding wedge. From the manual:


<G25> Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or entanglement of ROBOTS are not in the spirit of FIRST Robotics Competition and are not allowed. However, Triple Play is a highly interactive contact game. Some tipping, entanglement, and damage may occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, entanglement, or damage occurs where it is not a part of normal game play, at the referee’s discretion, the offending team/ROBOT may be disqualified from that match. Repeated offenses could result in a team/ROBOT being disqualified from the remainder of the Regional or Championship competition. Examples of normal game play interaction include:

• Pushing low on another ROBOT.
• Blocking or pushing on a TETRA that is in possession of an opposing ROBOT.
• Establishing ROBOT position to block access to a GOAL by an opposing ROBOT.
• Using an arm or gripper to prevent an opposing ROBOT from placing a TETRA on a GOAL.

Examples of inappropriate robot interaction include:

• Pushing high on a robot and tipping it over.
• Using an arm or gripper to repeatedly strike an opposing ROBOT that is not in the process of placing a TETRA on a GOAL.
• Placing any part of your ROBOT under an opposing ROBOT, and then lifting to flip it over.
• Using an arm and gripper to pull a ROBOT by grabbing electrical cables, hoses, etc. or disabling a ROBOT by tearing out wires or hoses.
• Grasping or attaching to a TETRA that is in the possession of an opposing ROBOT, and using it to pull over the opposing ROBOT.
• Ramming another ROBOT at high speed.

(emphasis mine)

By the letter of the law, I don't see anything wrong with the robot design itself. However, if in competition due to the wedge shape, the robot ends up tipping other robots by driving into them, I would be inclined to throw some flags. If it's clear the sole intention of the wedge was to tip other robots, I'd call it illegal under the "placing any part of your robot under an opposing robot, and then lifting to flip it over" clause of <G25>.