Define "ROBOT"

[ALIBI]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

This thread is inspired by this thread.

Just a quick summary of what's going on: 1519 built two robots this year. One hurdler and one small lap-runner. The two collectively fit within all size, weight, and budget constraints. The bumpers for the pair of robots weigh under 15 pounds. They argued that the two robots were simply different start configurations. At inspection, they were refused by the GDC. the GDC's arguement was, basically, that if it looks like two robots, it is two robots.

So, this is what FIRST already gives us for definitions of "ROBOT".

A FIRST robot is a remotely operated vehicle designed and built by a FIRST Robotic Competition team
to perform specific tasks when competing in the 2008 competition “FIRST Overdrive.”

ROBOT: Anything that has passed ROBOT inspection that a TEAM places on the TRACK prior to
the start of a MATCH.

Now, come up with a definition of ROBOT that would outlaw 1519's solution to this year's game.

Combine these with the following:

<R10> Robots entered into the 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition shall be fabricated and/or assembled from COMPONENTS, MECHANISMS and COTS items that are constructed from:

Items provided in the FIRST-supplied Kit Of Parts (or their exact REPLACEMENT PART)

Allowed additional parts and materials as defined in the rules, and in quantities consistent with the Budget Constraint rules (found in Section 8.3.3).

And:

MECHANISM – A COTS or custom assembly of COMPONENTS that provide specific functionality on the ROBOT. A MECHANISM can be disassembled (and then reassembled) into individual COMPONENTS without damage to the parts.

Does it say anywhere that you are not allowed to have two distinct drivetrain MECHANISMS?

To answer your question:

Each team will be permitted one and only one chassis consisting of a complete drivetrain, battery mount, RC and the manditory electrical components which will remain as one unit throughout and entire season without changes or modifications (changes to correct rule deficiencies will be permitted). This will be considered to be the ROBOT. In addition, teams will be permitted to add COMPONENTS, MECHANSIMS and COTS as well as any other required items (i.e. flag holder, standard bumpers, team number, etc.) to the ROBOT to meet the objectives for game play.

My overall point here, your two quotes along with <R10> and the definition of MECHANISM seem to support letting Team 1519 do what they tried to do. In order to outlaw their soluiton, you would need to add a new definition.