2010 Sacramento Regional

[eugenebrooks]

The head ref explained after the match that they were watching closely and did not see contact with the tower. Marcus' expressed plan, backing up to ram 2122 while they were on the bump would certainly have been worthy of a red card. Our robot got hit while crossing the bump in the semi finals, causing damage when we hit the floor hard on the other side. We also turned over a robot right after that in an attempt to clear a suitable path to approach the tower to hang, the driver was somewhat frustrated and such behavior seemed to be fair game, judging by the fact that it was allowed by the refs. When you re-read the rules in hindsight, these interactions are allowed/predicted by the rules. This is an unfortunate feature of the game this year. Attempting to push a robot from the bump while it is attempting to gather two points would seem to be fair game. Carefully parking a robot on its side bumper, not causing any damage, is also fair game. Hitting, leading to damage, is perhaps a different matter. Let the team who has not hit a robot on the bump throw the first stone...

The rules are what they are, and looking at the requirements of the game I don't see how they could be better. I would like to suggest that you install a servo or two on your robot, with attached high visibility flags that the servo can drop into contact with the tower when you are perched. This will make your contact with the tower clear to the referees, and draw the desired red card (specified in the rules) when a robot attempts to defend your climb onto the bump to lift. This solution probably also works for robots that hang from the floor, but would clearly be of very high value to a robot perched on the bump.

Eugene

Originally Posted by mwibbels

Marcus - you may want to think about it as the best red card you didn't get. With the hanging hook of the Tator bot in contact with the tower when you were pushing on the robot, your action was worthy of a red card. Might not be good to count on the referree's inability to see the simultaneous contact too many times - I suspect that they will be watching fairly closely for actions that have the potential for robot destruction in the future.

Congratulations on a phenomenal rookie run!