IRI Rule Changes - 2008

[Chris Fultz]

In an effort to minimize the changes to the official game, but also to recognize a few areas where we feel the game could be enhanced (based on the beauty of 20/20 hindsight), we are making the following changes to the official FIRST Overdrive rules. All other rules will be intact.

1. For the lane dividers only, a robot has to completely cross back over the lane divider to be penalized. There is no change to the rules regarding the start / finish lines. Multiple line crossings will acrue multiple penalties.

2. Scoring will be based on robot and ball position when they have come to rest, not when the clock expires. In general, this will be 3 - 5 seconds after time has expired.

3. Alliances will be comprised of 4 teams, with each alliance captain selecting their own "back-up. Draft order will be 1 - 8, 1 - 8, 8 -1. Use of teams in matches is completely at the discretion of the aliance captain. (i.e. there is no requirement for each team to play a match).

These rules will be "formalized" and clearly explained before matches begin at the IRI.

As in the past, teams also have a 'honorary' 5 pound grace for the robots. There will not be a weigh in or inspection, but if a robot is suspect the referees retain the right to require verification of size and weight.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

1. On the end zones only, a robot has to completely cross back over the lane divider to be penalized. There is no change to the rules regarding the start / finish lines. Multiple line crossings will acrue multiple penalties.

You just made 190 legal!

2. Scoring will be based on robot and ball position when they have come to rest, not when the clock expires. In general, this will be 3 - 5 seconds after time has expired.

At the end of hybrid too?

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

You just made 190 legal!

Well now they have to come. They just became a scoring terror.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

You just made 190 legal! At the end of hybrid too?

Yes and yes.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Well now they have to come. They just became a scoring terror.

Except for the fact they could only hurdle twice when their robot was legal anyways.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

There will not be a weigh in or inspection, but if a robot is suspect the referees retain the right to require verification of size and weight.

Is this true for the 80" rule as well?

[FoleyEngineer]

Perfect. As usual, absolutely perfect! Thanks!

[Francis-134]

Originally Posted by Cory

Except for the fact they could only hurdle twice when their robot was legal anyways.

A lot can happen during an off season (not promising anything). Besides, I'm pretty proud of a four degree of freedom arm, two slip-ring powered, five wheel "Man-Bear-Pig drive" robot, even if it does score only two hurdles and a cap. My reward is having people come by the pit and say "we thought about this, but thought it was impossible".

On the topic of the rule changes, I really like what you guys have done. This will probably eliminate 90% of the silly G22 infractions while keeping the game unchanged. I also really like the "comes to rest" variation. I was a little puzzled why the game this year was decidedly different on what seemed to be a rule that has always existed without problem.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Is this true for the 80" rule as well?

The referee crew will penalize teams who break the 80" rule.

AB

[Chris Marra]

Although we got permission last year, might as well ask now in case we get invited: Can we run non-functional decorations from another power source? (aka: Can we put a camera onboard the robot that uses its own battery?)

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

You just made 190 legal!
At the end of hybrid too?

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Yes and yes.

Now that I think of it, I am not sure of this. I need to do some homework regarding just exactly how 190 works. They may be breaking the rule on the finish line still.

Andy

[Richard McClellan]

Will there be a webcast of IRI this year? I don't think I'll be able to make it, but I'd love to watch.

[Josh Murphy]

Originally Posted by richardmcc2

Will there be a webcast of IRI this year? I don't think I'll be able to make it, but I'd love to watch.

Yes Wildstang will be doing it. Here is the link form the IRI website http://live.wildstang.org/iri.php

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by Chris Marra

Although we got permission last year, might as well ask now in case we get invited: Can we run non-functional decorations from another power source? (aka: Can we put a camera onboard the robot that uses its own battery?)

I also am curious as to the response of this question because THIS doesn't satisfy my need for multiple angled shots for a video....

[Kevin Kolodziej]

I know its not your robot, but you're looking for something like this?

If I understand 190 correctly, they sit in the homestretch, having never crossed the finish line, therefore the only line that they actually cross backwards is the lane divider prior to their homestretch (only with their arm). I'm not official, but it sounds legal to me with the rule update =)

Now that the non home stretch quadrant refs won't have many line violations, you all better play nice and watch those G37 penalties!