Simultaneous Herding and Posession

[martin417]

A worry I had was that if you build a robot that "vacuums" up all balls it contacts, and you inadvertently vacuum up two empty cells, how can you get rid of one? Most robots of this design will place balls in a hopper and empty the hopper either through a dump mechanism or a shooter.

I also see a strategy where a robot, in possession of an empty cell, passes the outpost. The payload specialist throws a second empty cell into the hopper or where the vacuum will pick it up. That team then either gets a penalty, or has to immediately dump its load, both of which are a bad thing.

[BigWhiteYeti]

I am pretty sure the definition of herding implies an intentional movement of a cell, not just bumping it. In previous years, they used the term INADVERTENT BULLDOZING to refer to this; and although that is not a term this year, I assume it is still implied to a certain extent.

[Dominicano0519]

yeah think back to rack and roll

that rule is most likely just a way to stop teams from taking a bunch of empty cells in at once

[Madison]

Originally Posted by martin417

A worry I had was that if you build a robot that "vacuums" up all balls it contacts, and you inadvertently vacuum up two empty cells, how can you get rid of one? Most robots of this design will place balls in a hopper and empty the hopper either through a dump mechanism or a shooter.

I also see a strategy where a robot, in possession of an empty cell, passes the outpost. The payload specialist throws a second empty cell into the hopper or where the vacuum will pick it up. That team then either gets a penalty, or has to immediately dump its load, both of which are a bad thing.

The Payload Specialist at the Outpost can only enter an EMPTY CELL into play through the opening in front of them. They can't throw it into the crater.

I am interested in seeing how the GDC handles questions about forcing your opponents to draw a penalty. Typically, this has been disallowed, of course.

If it's possible to force your opponent to draw a penalty, there is a good argument for depositing EMPTY CELLS into their trailers and, effectively, prohibiting them from manipulating other EMPTY CELLS.

[UnknownMember]

Originally Posted by Madison

I am interested in seeing how the GDC handles questions about forcing your opponents to draw a penalty. Typically, this has been disallowed, of course.

The same rule is still in effect. "Causing PENALTIES – The actions of a ROBOT shall not cause an opposing ROBOT to break a rule and thus incur penalties. Any rule violations committed by the affected ROBOT shall be excused, and no penalties will be assigned." (<G18>)

What's interesting is that they state "the actions of a robot shall not cause an opposing robot..." So I suppose that means that if you cause a robot on your alliance to make a penalty, then the penalty sticks?

[martin417]

Originally Posted by Madison

The Payload Specialist at the Outpost can only enter an EMPTY CELL into play through the opening in front of them. They can't throw it into the crater.

When I said "throw" I meant through the port (that's why I added the caveat about depositing it where it can picked up by the vacuuming mechanism)

[jgraber]

Originally Posted by Madison

The Payload Specialist at the Outpost can only enter an EMPTY CELL into play through the opening in front of them. They can't throw it into the crater.

I am interested in seeing how the GDC handles questions about forcing your opponents to draw a penalty. Typically, this has been disallowed, of course.

If it's possible to force your opponent to draw a penalty, there is a good argument for depositing EMPTY CELLS into their trailers and, effectively, prohibiting them from manipulating other EMPTY CELLS.

EMPTY CELLS have a point value when scored in a trailer.
Since the trailer is not part of the Robot, I would not expect a trailered EMPTY CELL to count as being controlled by the Robot, even though it maintains a relative fixed position to the Robot.

On a related note, a shooting robot can accept an EMPTY CELL from the OUTPOST, then immediately shoot it diagonally across the field to roll it into their own refueling port. Then rapidly accept another EMPTY CELL and do the same.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by jgraber

EMPTY CELLS have a point value when scored in a trailer.
Since the trailer is not part of the Robot, I would not expect a trailered EMPTY CELL to count as being controlled by the Robot, even though it maintains a relative fixed position to the Robot.

Somebody is correct! The GDC was asked this question and has answered as expected.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Madison

The Payload Specialist at the Outpost can only enter an EMPTY CELL into play through the opening in front of them. They can't throw it into the crater.

I am interested in seeing how the GDC handles questions about forcing your opponents to draw a penalty. Typically, this has been disallowed, of course.

If it's possible to force your opponent to draw a penalty, there is a good argument for depositing EMPTY CELLS into their trailers and, effectively, prohibiting them from manipulating other EMPTY CELLS.

Actually im pretty sure that an empty cell can either be pushed through the hole or thrown over the wall

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by dodar

Actually im pretty sure that an empty cell can either be pushed through the hole or thrown over the wall

I'm pretty sure you'd better check again, if you are talking about the OUTPOST wall.

[GaryVoshol]

HERDING: Controlling the position and movement of a GAME PIECE while the GAME PIECE is not supported by any ROBOT (i.e. supported by the CRATER or other GAME PIECES). Both continuous and intermittent contact between the ROBOT and GAME PIECE are considered HERDING. (e.g. bumping, plowing or dribbling a GAME PIECE)

POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a GAME PIECE while the GAME PIECE is supported or captured by an ALLIANCE. A GAME PIECE shall be considered “supported” by a ROBOT if in the estimation of a reasonably astute observer the majority of the weight of the GAME PIECE is being borne by the ROBOT. A GAME PIECE shall be considered “captured” by a ROBOT if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the GAME PIECE remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT. Both the “supported” and “captured” conditions include the case where the GAME PIECE is also in contact with the floor.

<G24> Handling EMPTY CELLS – ROBOTS may be in POSSESSION of a maximum of one EMPTY CELL, or may HERD a maximum of one EMPTY CELL at one time. A ROBOT may not be in POSSESSION and HERD EMPTY CELLS at the same time. A violation will cause a PENALTY to be assigned.

And that's all she says this year.

Possession is a more restrictive form of herding - call it herding without possibility of being inadvertently released. The definitions are essentially the same as 2008's.

What is missing this year, as was noted, is a specific rule allowing bulldozing. (That term was not defined last year; something for the refs to interpret.)

I suspect that there will be a ruling that bulldozing (defined or undefined) and/or inadvertent bumping is OK. Else, this will become the new <G22> rule and contrary to what was said at Kickoff, there will be a lot of penalties.