measuring @ the arena

[May_Walter]

Hi

is it legal to bring along to the arena something like a straight object that'll be long enough for us to measure persicely and locate our robot's position before autonomous?

[joeweber]

<G11> ROBOT Alignment Devices - Alignment devices (templates, tape measures, laser pointers, etc.) that are not part of the ROBOT may not be used to assist with positioning the ROBOT. Violation: TEAMS that use external alignment devices to position their ROBOT will have their ROBOT arbitrarily repositioned by a referee before the start of the MATCH.

I want it to be noted it only took me a few seconds to find this rule.

[lscime]

Unfortunately this is probably NOT legal:

<G11> ROBOT Alignment Devices - Alignment devices (templates, tape measures, laser pointers, etc.) that are not part of the ROBOT may not be used to assist with positioning the ROBOT. Violation: TEAMS that use external alignment devices to position their ROBOT will have their ROBOT arbitrarily repositioned by a referee before the start of the MATCH.

Good Luck!
-Luke

[Chickenonastick]

Trivially, if done so, would the referee attempt to sabotage your autonomous mode, or actually help you?

[ATannahill]

They will move you in such a way to undo any advantage that might have been gained by using that device. The refs would probably put you out of line with the ball.

[DonRotolo]

It is most certainly legal for you to bring it, and to use it. But don't expect that your robot will remain in that spot after you leave the field, as per <G11>.

[EricH]

Unless, of course, it is part of the robot.

Note that such devices attached to the robot would fall under extra scrutiny at inspection to ensure that they can't leave the frame perimeter during a match. It is also quite possible to have a ruling that you could not extend it before the match.

Your best bet would be to do a quick-and-dirty open sight across the top of your robot--block with a slot here, pin there, line them up through the middle of the balls, hope you fire correctly. If that would prevent you from going under the tunnel, use servos to move them out of the way during the match.

[XaulZan11]

If you had extra weight, couldn't you put it on the robot for the match so it would be part of the robot?

Edit: That Eric is soo fast in responding to questions!

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by EricH

Your best bet would be to do a quick-and-dirty open sight across the top of your robot--block with a slot here, pin there, line them up through the middle of the balls, hope you fire correctly. If that would prevent you from going under the tunnel, use servos to move them out of the way during the match.

Or just put them on hinges or something, and fold them down by hand when you're finished aligning the 'bot.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Chickenonastick

Trivially, if done so, would the referee attempt to sabotage your autonomous mode, or actually help you?

Referees will reposition randomly. They will/should not look at what you were trying to achieve. They will move the robot. I would expect that the amount of movement will be in direct proportion to how tired they are or how late in the day it occurs.