Blocking a robot driving clock-wise

[Koko Ed]

Is it possible to "hip check" an opposing robot?

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Is it possible to "hip check" an opposing robot?

It depends on your drivetrain, but I certainly don't see anything illegal about it... I'm not sure it would be interpreted as a "signal to pass", though.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by bduddy

It depends on your drivetrain, but I certainly don't see anything illegal about it... I'm not sure it would be interpreted as a "signal to pass", though.

I think it would be pretty obvious what the intent was.

[Cleinhun]

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=8436

I think this answers that.
So, yes, it is allowed.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Cleinhun

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=8436

I think this answers that.
So, yes, it is allowed.

Good find! Thank you very much.

[zivo123]

GDC "There is no rule that would prohibit the blocking robot's action. There are also no rules that would prohibit an appropriate counter measure by your robot. This scenario would likely become a pushing match."

just to make sure i understood correctly- a pushing match means that we push each other and if i push him and manage to get a away good for me but if he pushes me and make me tip over? (not to mention i will be tipping over on him..) or even worse break some mechanism??

[Kristian Calhoun]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

Does your robot have a parking brake? If not I can't imagine you would be much of a hindrance parking behind an opposing robot. Many robots will plow you out of the way like you aren't even there.

As you said, the only way that we'll truly know would be to ask the Q&A or to wait and see what happens in week 1.

Yes.

[Scott358]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

Does your robot have a parking brake? If not I can't imagine you would be much of a hindrance parking behind an opposing robot. Many robots will plow you out of the way like you aren't even there.

Since you asked about a parking brake, we do have a program that utilizes encoder feedback to have the drive train attempt to maintain position (i.e. in a zero joystick position, if the encoders sense movement, the bot will attempt to get back to where it was moved from without need to touch the joysticks). I guess this is a type of parking brake?

Without a brake, a robot could also simply park sideways to execute this defense.

Last, once pushed back a bit, you could always push back yourself (which I believe is what the GDC is talking about in their response).

In the end, our robot is a hurdler (you can see the Team 358 video in the robot showcase) , so I don't see our robot playing this type of defensive role, as we'll be hurdling.