What exactly is "Articulating"?

[Rion Atkinson]

So the design my team is thinking of currently would cause the bumpers to go higher than 16 inches as it goes over the bump. It would probably place it around 17 inches. but when it becomes level again it would be back under 16". Would this be considered articulation? If so, if we created a contraption that would keep them under 16", would they still be considered articulating due to the fact that they are moving in relation to the center of the robot?

Just trying to decided on what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Rion

[DanDon]

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

So the design my team is thinking of currently would cause the bumpers to go higher than 16 inches as it goes over the bump. It would probably place it around 17 inches. but when it becomes level again it would be back under 16". Would this be considered articulation? If so, if we created a contraption that would keep them under 16", would they still be considered articulating due to the fact that they are moving in relation to the center of the robot?

Just trying to decided on what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Rion

I don't have a manual handy right now but I believe that the bumper rules reference being in a normal position on level ground.

[Rion Atkinson]

Originally Posted by DanDon

I don't have a manual handy right now but I believe that the bumper rules reference being in a normal position on level ground.

I have read the rules, well up to <R26> at the moment. I'm still going.

<R07.a> is the part that applies to this design. But I can't tell if it would be legal...

BUMPERS must provide complete protection of the entire FRAME PERIMETER of the ROBOT (i.e. BUMPERS must wrap entirely around the ROBOT). The BUMPERS must be located entirely within the BUMPER ZONE when the ROBOT is standing normally on a flat floor, and must remain there (i.e. the BUMPERS must not be articulated or designed to move outside of the BUMPER ZONE).

[DanDon]

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

I have read the rules, well up to <R26> at the moment. I'm still going.

<R07.a> is the part that applies to this design. But I can't tell if it would be legal...

The way I see it, as long as you don't articulate (i.e. move) the bumpers while you are climbing over the bump/climbing the tower <R07-A> doesn't apply.

[Kevin Sevcik]

R07a makes it illegal. Do the bumpers move up out of the bumper zone? Yes. Therefore illegal.

[Skifanatic]

So another question. If the wheels of the robot articulate within the frame, but the frame remains in the shape of a regular polygon is that legal?

[Rion Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Skifanatic

So another question. If the wheels of the robot articulate within the frame, but the frame remains in the shape of a regular polygon is that legal?

That is our problem at the moment.. The wheels move.. The frame moves with it. Moving the bumpers up and down. I have a way to keep them at the same level, but it requires moving the bumpers, so I'm afraid it would be illegal.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Skifanatic

So another question. If the wheels of the robot articulate within the frame, but the frame remains in the shape of a regular polygon is that legal?

If the frame stays solid and the same shape, and the bumpers don't move up and down in relation to the plane that the robot is sitting on, you should be OK.

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

That is our problem at the moment.. The wheels move.. The frame moves with it. Moving the bumpers up and down. I have a way to keep them at the same level, but it requires moving the bumpers, so I'm afraid it would be illegal.

Then I think you've got a problem. Back to the drawing board.

[Greg Needel]

When the Q&A system comes live on wed have your team leader ask a question. Until then all of the responses are just speculation.





My interpretation of the intent of the rule is to make sure on flat ground there is only bumper to bumper contact. When you are climbing the ramp at roughly 45 degrees any robot with fixed bumpers within the zone will rise out of the bumper zone until they are on fixed ground again.


But I would wait for the Q&A before making a design decision.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

R07a makes it illegal. Do the bumpers move up out of the bumper zone? Yes. Therefore illegal.

I can't imagine that being the correct interpretation. If it were, then it would be impossible to have an ELEVATED robot, since raising your robot above the 20" high platform would necessitate the bumpers being out of the BUMPER ZONE. The phrase "when the ROBOT is standing normally on a flat floor" in <R07-A> is key here... I believe that Dan has it right:

Originally Posted by DanDon

The way I see it, as long as you don't articulate (i.e. move) the bumpers while you are climbing over the bump/climbing the tower <R07-A> doesn't apply.