Blocking your own trailer

[Jinx]

what about a robot, full size with that fans tucked in against the top? of course i also mean under the height limit?

[smurfgirl]

If you haven't seen this from Bill's Blog today:

Good Morning Teams,

I want to clarify the Game Design Committee’s intention on a few matters to save you time and resources:
...
2) Goal tending is not permitted (ie. You may not block access to a trailer)

If you cannot block access to a trailer, I presume you cannot block access to any trailer, your own included.

So in short, no, you cannot block your own trailer.

[no.1manenti]

Does anybody know what the weight of the trailer should be?

[Jinx]

Blowing air isnt blocking as far as we have seen, people will still be able to score and it isnt technically physical blocking... being one to have seen Bill's Blog...

[smurfgirl]

Originally Posted by Jinx

Blowing air isnt blocking as far as we have seen, people will still be able to score and it isnt technically physical blocking... being one to have seen Bill's Blog...

I'd have to say blowing air towards the trailers with the intent of deflecting balls is a means of blocking, no?

If you ask this on the Q&A, I'm willing to bet that the GDC responds that this is against the intent of the rules, and is not legal.

[Jinx]

I guess i will ask...

[Timmyho]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

If you haven't seen this from Bill's Blog today:



If you cannot block access to a trailer, I presume you cannot block access to any trailer, your own included.

So in short, no, you cannot block your own trailer.

I would consider blowing air a means of goal tending, and since goal tending is illegal blowing air would be too.

EDIT: the quote didn't show, just look at Smurfgirl's post to see what i am talking about

[smurfgirl]

Iwanttoduck,

From <R18>,

E.
The Trailer Hitch must be placed such that, as the TRAILER swings from side to side, the first contact between the TRAILER and ROBOT is BUMPER-to-BUMPER and not TRAILER-tongue-to-BUMPER (to prevent placing excessive stress upon, and possibly damaging, the TRAILER tongue). See Figure 8-6.

[feliks_rosenber]

With the official team update the descoring option is canceled for good.
Just read what the team update says:

This rule restricts any arms, mechanisms, hoods, etc from extending beyond the
BUMPER PERIMETER. Among other things, some associated intentions of this rule
are to prevent teams from having manipulators which extend outside the BUMPER
PERIMETER, and to prevent teams from being able to de-score game pieces or
block/disrupt trailers. While the current belief is that rule changes or additions are not
needed to prevent such robot behavior, if teams are pursue this type of strategy by
employing a loophole, or by other means, an amendment to the rules will be made.

And if that's not plain and simple enough:

The Game Design Committee would like to elaborate on the restriction concerning
disruption of the ARENA as it applies to the TRAILER. The purpose of the trailer is
to serve as an open collection site for MOON ROCKS, EMPTY CELLS, and SUPER
CELLS. As such, an attempt to cover the open top of any trailer or remove scored
balls would be considered a disruption of ARENA elements and not be allowed per
<G29>.

Disappointing, isn't it ?

[Team2441]

Sorry if this is a redundant qestion but CAN we take balls out of the trailors while up-right?

[Mike8519]

Originally Posted by Team2441

Sorry if this is a redundant qestion but CAN we take balls out of the trailors while up-right?

While you CAN, the rules certainly do not want you to

[dmoody92]

Originally Posted by Team2441

Sorry if this is a redundant qestion but CAN we take balls out of the trailors while up-right?

I would think not because any way to do that would involve deploying some arm into the basket. The violates the rule of blocking because even though the arm won't be there the whole time you are still blocking the hole for the time being. Also, you can't break the perimeter of your trailer with your robot.

[stinkypooman]

you cant, if you start with a dimension of 20x20, you cannot go outside for the 20x20. i havent seen this rule personally but my advisor told me this when we were discussing design. and you cannot retract the trailer into the robot buecause the trailer has to be able to piviot freely

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by stinkypooman

you cant, if you start with a dimension of 20x20, you cannot go outside for the 20x20. i havent seen this rule personally but my advisor told me this when we were discussing design.

It is painfully obvious that you haven't seen that rule, because it doesn't exist. In the future you may want to adopt the habit of quoting the specific rule (you can cut from a PDF document and paste it here in Cheif Delphi)

The first relevant rule is <R11>
At the start of, and during, the MATCH the ROBOT shall fit within the dimensions listed below: (28 x 38 x 60 inches)

Then we have <R16>
Once the MATCH has started, the ROBOT may assume a PLAYING CONFIGURATION that is different from the STARTING CONFIGURATION. The ROBOT must be designed such that the PLAYING CONFIGURATION of the ROBOT shall not exceed the dimensions specified in Rule <R11>.

[Team 2811]

If you made a 28"x28" robot then you could have 10" to cover the trailer without having to worry about the trailer touching your robot or the rule about fixing your trailer hitch in one position. This could work if you had no bumper on the back then there would be no backside barrier for the limit in terms of the rule that you cant extend past the bumper zone. If there is no bumper zone in the rear then you can extend out over the trailer.
Think about that