Pic: Flippable robot

[Brad Voracek]

Originally Posted by squirrel

I didnt' spend enough time figuring out how to design it well. The main problem I see is that the CG will probably end up near the middle of the bumper zone, making it relatively tippable compared to a more conventional design.

Mostly I made this thread for the legality of the idea, not the practicality.

[kjolana1124]

Originally Posted by Brad Voracek

Mostly I made this thread for the legality of the idea, not the practicality.

The only legal issue I can think of at teh moment is the fact that you can't control balls with an active mecanism above the bumper zone. Our team interpreted that as it can be staic when it touches the ball, but can't move. What if you have those upper wheels spinning and a ball lands on them and is moved? I'm not sure if they would count it, but it is something to watch out for.

[GGCO]

If you can figure out a way for the bumpers to be level, and at the regulated height, at all times you'll be good.

[engunneer]

Certainly a cool idea. You won't be able to go through the tunnel since you'll be 26" tall (assuming bumpers centered on 13" in both orientations), and if you're able to go over the bump, i'd be worried about balls getting caught.

you could have cool little counterweighted shields to cover the upper set of wheels.

I also agree you'll have to end up with 8 numbers unless you can make the ambigram, which is alot harder.

Also important to note is that your power switch needs to be accessed and the diagnostic light needs to be visible. Both of those requirements are possible if they are well placed.

[TEntwistle]

Another issue to consider is carrying the game balls. Any robot that is flippable will have the potential to carry balls inadvertantly unless you want to cover the top and bottom sides - that will really limit the chances of being compliant with other rules or to do anything other than push a ball.

[afowl]

Originally Posted by kjolana1124

The only legal issue I can think of at teh moment is the fact that you can't control balls with an active mecanism above the bumper zone. Our team interpreted that as it can be staic when it touches the ball, but can't move. What if you have those upper wheels spinning and a ball lands on them and is moved? I'm not sure if they would count it, but it is something to watch out for.

Can you tell me where that rule is because I can't find what you are referencing?

[BRAVESaj25bd8]

In reference to afowl's question:

<G45> Active BALL control - ROBOTS may not control BALL direction with active MECHANISMS above the BUMPER ZONE. Violation: PENALTY.

[Chris is me]

Interesting idea, I must say.

I would be very disappointed if the concept were disallowed just because there would be upside down team numbers. That seems rather strict, but it's enough of an issue that I'd make a Q&A about it if I were you.

What if you write your number upside down and right side up on the same bumper? I think that meets the rule just fine.

[Youarefunny]

As long as the mechinism that is facing the sky isn't moving ur fine i think.

[Racer26]

Yes, I agree, as long as the skyward mechanism isn't moving, you're definitely fine. However, I'm interested to see what Q&A has to say about it, because its much simpler to build an invertible drive system that has all wheels running all the time. That's not to say you couldn't do something to solve the issue of G45, because you can, it's just complicated, and keeping it simple is almost always better.

[Brandon Holley]

An idea I have here is that, what if your design was similar to what you have here, with a couple differences. What if you planned to have a main drive side, so that if every match were to go your way, the same 6 wheels were on the ground. However, if you happened to get fllipped over you had a "reserve drive system" on the top. What if this drive system was shorter, so that in its driving orientation your bumpers were no longer in the 10"-16" zone? The goal of this system is simply to keep your robot mobile so you could still play defense, or possibly even hang. Interesting idea I must say...


-Brando

[star_lancer]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

An idea I have here is that, what if your design was similar to what you have here, with a couple differences. What if you planned to have a main drive side, so that if every match were to go your way, the same 6 wheels were on the ground. However, if you happened to get fllipped over you had a "reserve drive system" on the top. What if this drive system was shorter, so that in its driving orientation your bumpers were no longer in the 10"-16" zone? The goal of this system is simply to keep your robot mobile so you could still play defense, or possibly even hang. Interesting idea I must say...


-Brando

I think the ref's would disable your robot if it was driving around with its bumpers outside of the bumper zone.

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by star_lancer

I think the ref's would disable your robot if it was driving around with its bumpers outside of the bumper zone.

So if my robot drove on top of the bump it would be disabled? Because my bumpers are now outside of the bumper zone? I'm just trying to show how some of these rules seem like they can be interpreted in different ways.

[big1boom]

Another issue with a robot such as this is the Robot Status Light. It is required to be visible, and if you have a robot that drives upside down the RSL would most likely be obstructed.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by big1boom

Another issue with a robot such as this is the Robot Status Light. It is required to be visible, and if you have a robot that drives upside down the RSL would most likely be obstructed.

You could run more than one RSL.