Update 20 Released

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by BRAVESaj25bd8

I like the idea of putting a shield over the drivers' heads. However, the G15 update bothers me a little bit. Technically, with this new update, a robot can stay in the loading station even after they have the tetra and possibly draw a penalty. If a red robot is in it's loading zone and a blue robot is just outside of that, the red robot can draw a 30 point penalty on the blue robot just by banging into it while it still has 1 wheel in the loading zone. I do not know if this is completely true but someone please correct me if I interpreted this wrong. I think FIRST should have said that the robot is fair game as soon as it has the tetra and the human player is back safely. The new update really eliminates some good defense that could be played.

I would hope that the refs will be directed to look at who makes the contact. If you look at the other Examples, they talk about "who was the cause of the contact and interference". Therefore, if you're just sitting idle in front of their loading zone, and they run into you, that should not be a penalty against the idle guy. You are merely blocking them from leaving their LZ, which should be legal. But I would say only if you are stationary and not actively driving at them to block them.
However, in reading the words of Example 6 in Update 20, it sounds like this situation is desribed, and I don't agree. If Red initiates all the contact with Blue sitting there like a stump, I don't agree that Blue should be assessed a 30pt penalty because they were not the "source" of interference or contact.
Any other opinions?

I do applaud FIRSTs action in putting the barrier in place.

Originally Posted by Cory

Why take the chance? If my opponent is in a loading zone, I'm going to give them their space, let them get out of the zone, and then play defense on them.
We've known about these penalties for how many months now?
It's not that hard to avoid them.

Ok - what if Red is waiting to leave their endzone and Blue is driving by on their way somewhere else. Red runs into Blue (either intentionally or just on their way out of the zone)... Does blue get a penalty? That's sorta the same as if Blue were just sitting there. Yes we have known about these penalties for a long time and people have tried to avoid being anywhere near loading zones. But it has happened, and will happen I'm sure. Just looking for what call is to be made. Since there's an emphasis on "the source of interference" in those examples, it would seem that Blue should not be penalized for that. Nice to get these situations out in the open prior to playing.