Update 5

[Imajie]

Update 5 has been released.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Interesting update...

I wonder what sparked the exclusion of lasers from the banned items list.

[Dave Scheck]

I did a search of the word laser in the Q&A and all responses had to do with laser pointers not allowed under S01. In particular this one

I wonder they made the update to make sure that the rule didn't read as "you can't use a laser pointer external to your robot, but you may use one that is on your robot"

[Rick TYler]

I don't really know the answer, but I know the idea is to align a robot with the goal from its starting position during autonomous. TRC asked about this early on in the Q&A. If you follow the flowchart, I'm pretty sure lasers are not allowed during the actual match, as they are a safety hazard.

[Chase]

Team 1546 threw around the idea of using a lazer, I figured it was either against the rules or would be, come competition.

[Gdeaver]

If you search on "time of flight" you will find many devices that could give extremely accurate targeting. The down side is cost and they are based on lasers.

[MattB703]

It seams to me that the update to rule G11 no longer prohibits the use of a laser pointer that is NOT part of the robot. Therefore a team should be able to make a simple laser pointer mount that the pointer can be set into and removed once the robot is aligned.

Is this what you all read? I am surprised at this ruling. It kinda makes the camera less useful, at least in autonomous.

Matt B.

[Greg Marra]

As far as I can tell, this update completely forbids the use of any laser at all at any time. The Q&A forum makes it very clear that they do NOT want you using a laser to align your robot before the start of the match, even if it is a permanent part of the robot.

[Chriszuma]

That doesn't make sense though; if they wanted to completely ban lasers (as they have made clear is their intention in the Q&A) why would they remove it from that list? Maybe they just figure that using a laser pointer to align your robot before match start isn't hurting anything. I'm glad though: this means we're allowed to use our Ultra Mega Death Ray to align our robot to a gaping hole in the auditorium.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by MattB703

It seams to me that the update to rule G11 no longer prohibits the use of a laser pointer that is NOT part of the robot.

I'm pretty sure the wording was changed so that it didn't seem to imply that a laser pointer that is part of the robot would be legal.

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

I'm pretty sure the wording was changed so that it didn't seem to imply that a laser pointer that is part of the robot would be legal.

This may be the most confusing update I've seen. I agree with Matt that the new wording makes it appear that it is okay to use a laser that is not part of the robot. I'm not saying that this makes any sense to have a rule like that, but it appears to me that the new wording allows external laser pointers. Unfortunately, this is a clarification that has made things less clear.

[aaeamdar]

Originally Posted by Imajie

Update 5 has been released.

One of our mentors was questioning me about lasers (this was before the update). I told him (though I hadn't read it) I didn't think they were, as they would constitute a safety hazard and a measuring device. I've sent him the link to the pdf.

Thanks for the update... on the updates! HAH! (Dies laughing)

Paul Dennis

[Elgin Clock]

Rule G11 is modified to remove “lasers” from the list of devices not allowed for positioning the robot starting position.
<G11> Alignment Devices - Alignment devices (templates, tape measures, lasers, etc.) that are not part of the ROBOT may not be used to assist with positioning the ROBOT. Teams that use external alignment devices to position their ROBOT will have their ROBOT arbitrarily repositioned by the head referee.

Looks like a certain team from MA will be happy again.

[DjAlamose]

Ok, i know that the use of lasers is a big topic and i can see why. A laser pointer would be a good thing to help position the robot, but if you can't have a laser pointer permanently attached to your robot then you can't use one at all. This is beacause in that same rule <g11> it states that if an external alignment devise is used to align the robot (i.e. a laser pointer) then that robot will be arbitrarilly positioned. The word lasers was most likely removed so teams wont put them permanently on their robots.

In my opinion teams should focus more on the vision target and less time on interpreting weither or not they can use a laser. After all first has provided us with all of the nessesary things to make the camera follow the target.

[Bob Steele]

I agree with everyone that this is a confusing update and probably an unnecessary one... It is clear from QA that no lasers are allowed on the robot.... This update simply restates that no alignment devices are allowed to be used to set up your robot prior to autonomous... it just gives examples of them... You WOULD be allowed to use an alignment device that was part of the robot... but not external ones.

I believe the update was done so that everyone understands that permanent devices could be used for alignment. The non-laser other devices COULD be used on the robot (if they comply with all other rules) but only as permanent parts. They just want to make sure no-one would try to put a laser ON the robot permanently...

An example might be a optical sighting device that was permanently attached to the robot... I believe this is ok as long as it stays on the robot for all of the competition.

I really think that they want to just stick to the non-laser rule (R40 does not allow unsafe components and lasers are excluded because they are not safe for participants or the spectators)

Read the QA ...NO LASERS

thanks