New Rules for 2006

[sanddrag]

I'll start this thread so anyone can mention any significant (but maybe easy to miss) changes in the rules (robot size/weight, crate size, parts suppliers rules, etc) since last year. Please don't post here until after we have the rules. This is not a pre-kickoff speculation thread, it is a post kickoff factual thread. And hopefully a mod can make this a "Sticky"

[Katie Reynolds]

The thread has been opened to discuss any significant changes from the 2005 rules.

[Wetzel]

I wanted to make a thread for interesting new rules that are diffrent from the way things have been in the past.

Originally Posted by R10

The weight of any bumper assemblies included on the robot that are in compliance with Rule <R35> is excluded from the robot weight limit specified in Rule <R09>, up to a maximum of 15 pounds.

and

Originally Posted by <R13>

Robots must use one of the two colored bicycle flags provided at the event queuing location to display their alliance color (red or blue). Each robot must include a 12 inch long, 1/2” ID PVC tube, capped at the bottom, permanently mounted on the robot such that when a 3 foot long, 1/4 inch diameter flagpole is inserted the top of the flagpole is no higher than 6 feet from the ground and the top of the flagpole is at least 12 inches higher than any other point on the robot (+/- 1/2 inch). The flagpole must be mounted such that it starts the match, and remains, approximately vertical. The flagpole receptacle must be statically mounted, and not articulated or actuated.

Wetzel

[Dested]

Okay... After looking at the rules over and over again it was noticed that "No robot may throw a ball with an exit velocity of greater than 12m/s."

Now... If you were moving at 5m/s already.... and shot it at the 12m/s.... Wouldnt you hit 17m/s? Can someone clear this up for me? Is this doable?

[Ricky Q.]

I find these two rules, under the Referee Interaction section of the Game, very interesting:

4.3.6 Referee Interactions

<G42>

Any discussions regarding rules, scores, or penalties must be between the DRIVERs or HUMAN PLAYERs (pre-college team members) and the head referee.

<G43>

The Head Referee may at his or her discretion receive input from other sources, particularly Game Design Committee members that may be present at an event. However, the Head Referee’s decision is final (reference Rule <T01>).

This means: No Coaches interacting with referees, and that Head Refs can get input on their decisions.

[henryBsick]

Originally Posted by Dested

Okay... After looking at the rules over and over again it was noticed that "No robot may throw a ball with an exit velocity of greater than 12m/s."

Now... If you were moving at 5m/s already.... and shot it at the 12m/s.... Wouldnt you hit 17m/s? Can someone clear this up for me? Is this doable?

If you shot a ball 100% in the vector that you were traveling in, then yes the ball would be traveling at 17 m/s, BUT the muzzle velocity of the ball would still be 12 m/s, it is velocity at the muzzle of the firing device. Chances are that you will not be firing a ball in the vector of motion though... which means that not all of the 5 m/s will go into increasing the ball's velocity.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Henry_222

If you shot a ball 100% in the vector that you were traveling in, then yes the ball would be traveling at 17 m/s, BUT the muzzle velocity of the ball would still be 12 m/s, it is velocity at the muzzle of the firing device. Chances are that you will not be firing a ball in the vector of motion though... which means that not all of the 5 m/s will go into increasing the ball's velocity.

Hmmm, I assume the spirit of the rule is that the muzzle velocity is supposed to be 12 m/s, so I aggree with you, but this may be clarified so that your not to intentionally throw the ball at more than 12 m/s, who knows. I doubt they'll rule like that, but they may.

As for other rules:
<G05> In order for a ball to score, it must enter the goal and exit via the exit chute. A ball that bounces out of the
goal is not scored. Once a ball is scored for a particular ALLIANCE, it cannot score again until it is
entered onto the field by the opposing ALLIANCE’s HUMAN PLAYER.
<G10> Starting Positions - At the beginning of a match, the three alliance ROBOTs must be placed inside one of
the three 5’ x 5’ robot starting zones located at mid-field to the right of the DRIVER’s station and not
touching the tape boundaries. It is the responsibility of the head referee to verify that this rule is satisfied
prior to the start of the match. The match will not be started until all robots are in the starting position.
<G18> ROBOT Extension Size – ROBOTs may not extend beyond a 60-inch limit in either horizontal cardinal
dimension as specified in <R08>. Robots that violate this rule will be disqualified.
(<G22>)
• Contact outside of the bumper zone is generally not acceptable, and the offending ROBOT will be
assessed a 5-point penalty, and may be disqualified from the match if the offense is particularly
egregious or if it results in substantial damage to another ROBOT. Incidental contact will not be
penalized. Contact outside the bumper zone that is a result of tipping caused by contact within the
bumper zone will be considered incidental contact.
• If a ROBOT extends outside of its 28 inch by 38 inch starting footprint, it is responsible for the
extension’s contact with other ROBOTs and must not use the extension to contact other ROBOTs
outside of the bumper zone. Likewise, other ROBOTs will not be responsible for contact with the
extension outside of the bumper zone. Again, incidental contact will not be penalized.

<R29> Teams may bring a maximum of 25 pounds of custom FABRICATED ITEMS (SPARE PARTS,
REPLACEMENT PARTS, and/or UPGRADE PARTS) to each competition event to be used to repair and/or
upgrade their robot at the competition site. All other FABRICATED ITEMS to be used on the robot during
the competition must arrive at the competition venue packed in the shipping crate with the robot.
<R49> The total cost of all non-Kit items may not exceed $3,500.00 USD. No individual COTS electronic
component shall have a value of over $200.00 USD. No individual non-electronic item shall have a value of
over $400.00. The total cost of components purchased in bulk may exceed $400.00 USD as long as the cost of
an individual component does not exceed $400.00. The following items are EXCLUDED from the total cost
calculation:
(The $400 single component part)


I know thats a doozy of a list, but I found em all very different, interesting, and I think that all of them will play a significant roll in this years game.

[Ryan Foley]

During elimination rounds, the 8th seeded alliance picks first for the second round of selection.

This will make finals very interesting.

[abeD]

I thought this rule was very interesting, as I havent seen something similar in past years as well as many teams using wedges as a big strategy.

<R04> "Wedge” robots are not allowed. Robots must be designed so that interaction with other robots results in
pushing rather than tipping or lifting. Neither offensive nor defensive wedges are allowed. All parts of a
robot between 0 and 8.5 inches from the ground (the top of the bumper zone – see Rule <R35>) that might
push against another robot must be within 10 degrees of vertical. Devices deployed outside the robot's
footprint should be designed to avoid wedging. If a mechanism or an appendage (a ball harvester, for
example) becomes a wedge that interferes with other robots, penalties, disabling, or disqualification can occur
depending on the severity of the infraction.

[Stephen Kowski]

interesting for those who like to tip over at the beginning of the match

<G17> ROBOT Orientation - ROBOTs must maintain their vertical orientation with respect to their starting position throughout the match. ROBOTs may not intentionally tip over onto one of their initially vertical sides and operate with this side parallel to the ground. If a ROBOT is accidentally or intentionally tipped over onto its side, it cannot score any balls in any goals from this orientation.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Stephen Kowski

interesting for those who like to tip over at the beginning of the match

<G17> ROBOT Orientation - ROBOTs must maintain their vertical orientation with respect to their starting position throughout the match. ROBOTs may not intentionally tip over onto one of their initially vertical sides and operate with this side parallel to the ground. If a ROBOT is accidentally or intentionally tipped over onto its side, it cannot score any balls in any goals from this orientation.

Wow. That sounds like the Hotbot rule.
Too bad.
Those were great bots.

[Ian Curtis]

<G24> Pinning - While on the carpeted field surface, a ROBOT cannot pin (inhibit the movement of another ROBOT while in contact with a field element or border) for more than 10 seconds. This rule does not apply if either ROBOT is entirely on an ALLIANCE PLATFORM. If a ROBOT has been pinned for 10 seconds, the team with the pinning ROBOT will be told by a referee to release the pinned ROBOT and back away approximately 3 feet. Once the pinning ROBOT has backed off by 3 feet, it may again attempt to pin its opponent, and if successful, the 10 second count will start over. If a referee determines that this rule has been violated, a 5-point penalty flag will be assessed for each violation.

There is no such thing such thing as pinning on top of one of the ramps. Sweet! *Begins thinking about amazing plays that could occur atop these ramps*

[Jonathan Norris]

Team 610 will be missing the wedge, we have traditionally been very good defensively and have had some great wedges . This is the first year that I have been involved where they encourage defensive play, but then they disallow wedges totally . I was wondering if the rule <R04> (wedge rule) means that the structure of the robot basically has to be a box now? does this mean that we cannot have an angled front of the robot like /-\ ?

[Eric Scheuing]

Well there is definately a decrease in the impact rules. I'm pretty glad for that.

[MattB703]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

Team 610 will be missing the wedge, we have traditionally been very good defensively and have had some great wedges . This is the first year that I have been involved where they encourage defensive play, but then they disallow wedges totally . I was wondering if the rule <R04> (wedge rule) means that the structure of the robot basically has to be a box now? does this mean that we cannot have an angled front of the robot like /-\ ?

The way I read it you can have an angled side as long as it is no more than 10° from vericle.