"Load Bearing Surface"

[Katie Reynolds]

Originally Posted by russell

Yes. And what is this nonsense about how it has to be the size of the original robot base. I know for a fact that the manual says the robot may get bigger once the match starts, but if you want to be able to score points I guess not.

It doesn't say it has to be as big as the base. It says that the load-bearing surface must be within the 28"x38" base. I think the intent of the rule is to reenforce <G12>

<G12> The purpose of the LOADING ZONE is to allow ROBOTS to quickly and safely receive TETRAS without interference while HUMAN PLAYERS and/or field attendants are in close proximity, and then return to play. The LOADING ZONE is not intended to serve as a “perpetual safety zone” to prevent interaction with opponent ROBOTS for the entire match. Tethers, tape measures, long extension arms, and other devices intended to contact the LOADING ZONE to maintain the “non-interference constraint” defined in <G15> while the ROBOT drives around the remainder of the field are against the spirit of the rule and will not be permitted. Such devices must be removed before the ROBOT will be permitted to play in the match.

So yes, your robot can get bigger after the start of the match. And yes, you can still score points; but you have to have a load-bearing surface (like a wheel) that lies inside your original base touching the loading zone to receive a tetra.