Important Q/A forum responses

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by fsayre

Are you referring to this rule?

<G29> ROBOT orientation - ROBOTS must start the match with their long (maximum) dimension in
a vertical orientation. After the start of the match, ROBOTS may change their orientation
such that the long dimension is either vertical or horizontal. Refer to Rule <R37> in Section
8 to determine how this affects the use of bumpers.

I think what it is intending is that the "long dimension" is talking about the available long dimension, and not the robot's actual measured dimension. Even though it is 18" tall that dimension is still the long dimension (as 4',5', or 6' is available). I think they just want to prevent people from having a huge starting footprint with the 4'-6' available size.

Nope, it's measured dimension. Here's the GDC's answer on that:

The long dimension is the greatest of the height, width, or depth measurements. If a robot is particularly short (e.g. the height is less than the length), then it must start the match "on-end" in order to comply with this rule. If such a robot can not be designed to flop down, you may consider installing a post, bracket, etc that increases the vertical dimension of the robot (and upon which the flag holder may be mounted).

If it was just the "available" dimension, then all this verbiage wouldn't be necessary. They obviously intend it to be the measured dimension.