Need Opinions On Rule <R02-C>

[Urban Hawk]

well although i do agree with them on the rule... i do not expect the inspectors to be very happy about it at the competition. It might not be intended to interfere but there still is the possibility it could interfere with the cameras if they are uncalibrated.
Also i wouldn't put complete faith in that all the rookie teams will have it calibrated given the fact that they are rookies and they might not give a thought to calibrating it having not done it before.
So even if it is within the rules I'd bet anything that the moment those inspectors see the robot they are going to make you change the color because regardless of whether or not it isn't intended to jam the camera doesn't mean it can't and they won't want something running around and jamming all the rookie's cameras. I'd say just paint it a different color just to be on the safe side, then you won't have to worry if you are within the rules or not.

[ChrisH]

While teams have a responsibility to make reasonable efforts not to interfere with the vision systems of other robots, the teams using the vision system also have a responsibility to properly calibrate it. My own team's testing revealed that the camera will pick up on very subtle differences if properly programmed and calibrated.

In my view, 1796 has made a reasonable effort not to interfere. They might want to go to the additional effort of discovering the threshold settings at which the camera detects that particular color of green. They can then communicate this information to anybody who might have a problem with their robot.

ChrisH

Originally Posted by Urban Hawk

well although i do agree with them on the rule... i do not expect the inspectors to be very happy about it at the competition. It might not be intended to interfere but there still is the possibility it could interfere with the cameras if they are uncalibrated.
Also i wouldn't put complete faith in that all the rookie teams will have it calibrated given the fact that they are rookies and they might not give a thought to calibrating it having not done it before.
So even if it is within the rules I'd bet anything that the moment those inspectors see the robot they are going to make you change the color because regardless of whether or not it isn't intended to jam the camera doesn't mean it can't and they won't want something running around and jamming all the rookie's cameras. I'd say just paint it a different color just to be on the safe side, then you won't have to worry if you are within the rules or not.

[Urban Hawk]

i am not saying the teams are not being responsible if they don't calibrate it. I am saying that some teams... especially the new teams... may not know they have to calibrate it or if they are like us the first year and never properly test it until the actual competition. In those cases the teams cameras could be jammed and the first inspectors will probably take into account that fact. In my opinion it is better to be safe then sorry.

[ChrisH]

I have been an Inspector for many years. I am currently an FTA, somebody who works out technical problems during a Regional and who works with the Head Inspector to resolve unusual issues that might arise. I think I can say with some authority that should 1796's robot interfere with another team's vision system, and it comes to the attention of the Inspectors or Refs, a crack programmer or two will be sent to the other team's pit to help them get their system working properly.

By the way, one job of the Inspection staff is recognizing what help a struggling team needs and then seeing they get it. The knowledge required to be an expert in all things is just too broad to expect it all in one person. But the Inspectors know people who know things and will send appropriate people as needed. The Inspectors are you friends.

[RoboTigers1796]

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions. We have decided to put a coat of white on the upper portions in hopes of further decreasing the chances of a camera accidently tracking us. Any problems during inspection and we will have to end up using Jason's idea with the masking tape to get back on the field. Finished robot pic will be up next week! Thanks again everyone!