Interesting Q/A's

[AmyPrib]

Just starting this thread so that if someone sees and interesting Q/A from the FIRST forum, they can post it here (in case everyone on CD isn't checking Q/A). Please try to keep it to ones that haven't really been discussed or mentioned before, or ones that get answered with a completely different interpretation than expected. Also please try to keep any debate on these to a minimum, since they are official answers from FIRST.

Here's a few I think are interesting.

Question:
Can the human player jump when entering the ball onto the field?
If the human player jumps from behind the starting line and lands in front of the starting line, is a 5 point penalty assessed?

GDC Answer:
HUMAN PLAYERS must keep their feet on the ground when entering balls onto the field. Jump shots and volleyball "spikes" are not permitted when entering balls onto the field.
If the HUMAN PLAYER enters a ball onto the field, and in the process crosses over the STARTING LINE, then it will be considered a violation of Rule <G33>.

Question:
Rule <G42> states: "Any discussions regarding rules, scores, or penalties must be between the DRIVERs or HUMAN PLAYERs (pre-college team members) and the head referee."

The rule using "(pre-college team members)", seems to imply that a COACH who is a pre-college student team member would be allowed to discuss rules, scores, penalties, et cetera, with the referee.
Is this a correct interpretation of the rule?

GDC Answer:
No, only DRIVERS or HUMAN PLAYERS may interact with the head referee.

Question:
According to G05, after a ball has been scored, it cannot be scored again until after it's re-entered into play.

How will it be assessed if the HP accidentally drops a ball in the HP corral (corner goal) and it bounces/rolls into the path of the scoring sensor while still in the corral? Will it count for the opposing team? Or would this be considered inteference with scoring? If it's not supposed to count, are we expecting refs to catch this and deduct it? If it does remain counted, then the questions are voided.

GDC Answer:
It will count for the opposing team. Accidental mistakes will count for the other team, intentional dropping would be a violation of <G39> Scoring Interference and result in disqualification.

[Ricky Q.]

This one is interesting:

Q:How is "throw" defined? If we roll a ball (i.e. it doesn't lose contact with the ground) from the robot, can it exceed the 12 m/s limit, or does "throwing" the ball include rolling it?

A: The exit velocity is limited to 12 m/s. This limit applies to all balls exiting the robot.

[Collin Fultz]

Q:
I'm wondering if there is a rule prohibiting you from attaching a leaf blower type of thing to blow balls off course from the top goal. I'm wondering if it is legal or not.

A:
There is no prohibition against this, provided the system is made from competition-legal parts and kit-of-parts motors.


Interesting defense that I hadn't really thought about.

[Billfred]

Here's one I find sorta perplexing:

Q: 6.3.5 states "FIRST will allow you to keep all of your robot controls (Operator Interface, OI power supply, joysticks, etc.) and not ship them with your robot on Tuesday, 2/21/2006. This will allow you to continue to work on your programming. If you decide not to ship controls with your robot, please rememberyour initial competition. FIRST does not have replacement controls."

Just to be sure, does the Robot Controller fall under the "etc." mentioned in 6.3.5?

A:The Robot Controller is considered part of the robot, not part of the operator interface. As such, it must be shipped with the robot prior to the shipping deadline.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Here's one I find sorta perplexing:

Q: 6.3.5 states "FIRST will allow you to keep all of your robot controls (Operator Interface, OI power supply, joysticks, etc.) and not ship them with your robot on Tuesday, 2/21/2006. This will allow you to continue to work on your programming. If you decide not to ship controls with your robot, please rememberyour initial competition. FIRST does not have replacement controls."

Just to be sure, does the Robot Controller fall under the "etc." mentioned in 6.3.5?

A:The Robot Controller is considered part of the robot, not part of the operator interface. As such, it must be shipped with the robot prior to the shipping deadline.

Incredibly disappointing. How are we supposed to develop software during the two 5 hour fix-it windows we all get after ship and during each week of regionals? Do they seriously expect us to spen hundreds of dollars on another just to make full use of the fix-it windows when our kit-provided RC is sitting dead in a crate? Do they expect us to minimize our code to run on an old controller? Then why have the new controller with more program space? What about rookie teams who have no RC from previous years? This Q/A answer does nothing except provide the rich teams an advantage. I hope FIRST seriously reconsiders this Q/A answer because of the unleveling of the playing field that will result.

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Incredibly disappointing. How are we supposed to develop software during the two 5 hour fix-it windows we all get during each week of regionals? Do they seriously expect us to spen hundreds of dollars on another just to make full use of the fix-it windows when our RC is sitting dead in a crate? This Q/A answer does nothing except provide the rich teams an advantage.

Submit a follow-up question to Q/A if it is a large concern and see what their feedback is. I would suggest wording it in a more conducive manner.

[pyroslev]

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=313

Q:
Hello, I'm a member of team 1814 (Rookie) in this years First Robotics Competition. We are currently not certain if our design violates one of the designing / game rules. Our robot has a internal system to transport and to store the balls ( the size used in competition). But we've read about one rule, <G13> stating that all of the balls must be contained within the robots and must be clearly visible from outside.

And another of our design, which involves a tight conveyor belt to transport the balls internally, we're debating whether it violates rule <G30> that states Robots must be designed to permit the release and removal of any balls from the robot without being powered up after the match. Though we could remove the balls on the conveyor belt manually, but it is liely that some of the balls contained in the storage may not be easily removed without poweing up the robot.

Out team is waiting for your answer if these disigns violates those rules.

A:
Under Rule <G13> any balls contained in the robot at the start of the match must be clearly visible so that the referees can determine the ball count. You will have to use your best judgement to determine if this is permitted by your design.

If it will be difficult to remove balls from your conveyor design without power, then you will be in violation of Rule <G30>. We would recommend that you reconsider the design and implement one that will not cause any problems for you at the competitions.

Does this one spook anyone's designs a bit?

[Andrew Blair]

Yes.

It makes it sound like only an open, gravity fed hopper is permissable. I doubt my fears however; even in a gravity hopper, it would be somewhat difficult to count all the balls from a distance.

Looks like we'll have to buy some Lexan!

[Biff]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Incredibly disappointing. How are we supposed to develop software during the two 5 hour fix-it windows we all get after ship and during each week of regionals? Do they seriously expect us to spen hundreds of dollars on another just to make full use of the fix-it windows when our kit-provided RC is sitting dead in a crate? Do they expect us to minimize our code to run on an old controller? Then why have the new controller with more program space? What about rookie teams who have no RC from previous years? This Q/A answer does nothing except provide the rich teams an advantage. I hope FIRST seriously reconsiders this Q/A answer because of the unleveling of the playing field that will result.

The IFI site (if you have a 2004 or 2005) robot controller will update it to the new one for $125.00. This is assuming it is in perfect working condition when it arrives. Other wise there may be charge to repair it first. We discussed this and decided it was worth the investment. Rookie teams may be able to get an older controller from an established team and get it upgraded to continue robot lab during the fix it windows.

[KenWittlief]

Q:[/b] 6.3.5 states "FIRST will allow you to keep all of your robot controls ...to continue to work on your programming.

+

A:The Robot Controller ... must be shipped with the robot

[Spock][raise eyebrow] Highly illogical! [/raise eyebrow] [/Spock]

[Andrew Blair]

Especially since... isn't the 2006 OI compatible only with the 2006 brain? [Also raised eyebrow ]

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

Q:[/b] 6.3.5 states "FIRST will allow you to keep all of your robot controls ...to continue to work on your programming.

+

A:The Robot Controller ... must be shipped with the robot

[Spock][raise eyebrow] Highly illogical! [/raise eyebrow] [/Spock]

Yeah, and the "all" part is even bolded.

[FlyingDutchman]

ya this has nothing to do with the subject but I need help trying to post or what ever it is that you have to do to put a question on the website... thanks

[AmyPrib]

ya this has nothing to do with the subject but I need help trying to post or what ever it is that you have to do to put a question on the website... thanks

You must be a mentor and team main contact to receive the login required to post on the FIRST Q/A system.

Getting back to interesting Q/A's.

Question: (regarding Chairman's)
What is exactly meant by an electronic signature? Can a signature be scanned in or do we need to actually purchase a certificate with a signature?

Answer:
Two members of the team, an adult and a student leader need to read the submission and then type their names into the spots provided indicating they have read the submission and agree that it is complete and accurate. No scanning or special software required.

[FlyingDutchman]

I am having trouble with posting a thread can you help me