Withholding limits and GP

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

...
and you're control board was just the joysticks on a piece of paper, you could probably get a robot and controls in in under 40 lbs.

The Operator Console is exempt from the 40 lbs per <R38-A> (posted above).

[EricH]

I'd actually bet that it'll be noticed and fixed in an update. Just sayin'.

[dtengineering]

If your robot is under 40 pounds, not only CAN you keep it... but you DESERVE to keep it! I don't think we've ever built anything that came out under 110 pounds, let alone under 40!

The withholding limit is one of the rules, and it is not poor sportsmanship, or disrespectful to your fellow competitors to follow the rules.

And if you show up with a 40 pound robot, I don't care how good your drivers are, or how great your code is... you'll get pushed all over the place. As much as I enjoy taking rules to their logical conclusion, I think there are practical limits that make the "40 pound robot" scenario unlikely.

But PLEASE do USE the withholding allowance... it is a great way to make your robot better!

Jason

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

And, because it's relevant to this thread, does anyone know Speed Racer's weight? IIRC, Fezzik was 80-something lbs, so if you shipped the bumpers, and you're control board was just the joysticks on a piece of paper, you could probably get a robot and controls in in under 40 lbs.

($5 says that if/when submitted to the Q&A this approach will be deemed against the rules.)

I believe that it was under 40 lbs when I saw it at the regional.

I agree with icurtis that it will be deemed not legal. Holding back a robot would technically be a second robot which by the GDC's response in eric's post is against the intent of FIRST. I would suggest an identical practice robot.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I can't even believe this discussion is taking place. When someone asks you about FRC and how it works, do you not answer this way...
"On the first full weekend in January, every team in the world is given the game, a Kit of Parts and a set of rules. Every team then has six weeks and three days to design, build and test a robot at which point every team has to pack the robot into a shipping container and ship it to a warehouse. The next time the team sees their robot, will be their first event."
Modify as you need for bag and tag.

[Bochek]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

And if you show up with a 40 pound robot, I don't care how good your drivers are, or how great your code is... you'll get pushed all over the place. As much as I enjoy taking rules to their logical conclusion, I think there are practical limits that make the "40 pound robot" scenario unlikely.

you'd have to catch us first.


Weighed the robot today, came in at 50lbs sans battery + bumpers, only gotta shave 10 lbs.

I have posted the question on the first Q+A

[rsegrest]

IMHO I agree with others that while this may not be deemed 'illegal' it certainly violates the principals and spirit of FIRST and the other teams that adhere to the 6 week rule. Speaking for our team we hold to the rules and keep only the control system etc as explicitly defined in the manual and use test systems for tweaking code. When we head for our regional we take only spare parts to repair and tools. We do not continue fabricating parts etc. Perhaps this is a disadvantage to our team that we do not do this however when we tell people six weeks we mean six weeks...once it's in the crate it's done until we get to Lone Star...so my answer would be that yes it violates the GP spirit of FIRST.

[sanddrag]

If anybody seriously wants MORE work after six weeks exhaustion, let them have it. I'll be taking a nap.

[Wayne Doenges]

I have two points to make:

1) If I saw a team, show up with an empty crate, and bring in their robot I would think they cheated and worked on the bot all the way up to the first regional. I wouldn't trust them.

2) If you bring in a 40 pound robot, as a fabricated part, I hope you don't break anything because you won't have any extra fabricated/spare parts.

*gets off soapbox*

[Bochek]

I am hopeing the GDC finds it legal. but even if they do we will still ship SOME of our bot (need room to make some spare parts!)

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Bochek

you'd have to catch us first.

Too Late! You are on the LRI top list now. Kidding of course. We don't keep a list.

[Bochek]

Looks like the witholding allowance will be raised to 65lbs this year according to bill's blog.

Still no response from the GDC, how long does it usually take them to respond? I can barley wait for their answer.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges

2) If you bring in a 40 pound robot, as a fabricated part, I hope you don't break anything because you won't have any extra fabricated/spare parts.

They shipped those in the crate....

[keehun]

Did the GDC just up the Withholding Limit?

Sorry if it was discussed before. I couldn't find it within this thread.

[Bochek]

waiting for the team update to come out in the next few days, but FRC Director posted on his blog explaining that due to weather causing a loss of build days to some teams the witholding limit will be raised to 65lbs.