Minibot

[kfgk14]

Hypothetically, if one wanted to use a spring-loaded fulcrum to launch their minibot up the tower, would that be legal? Would the minibot then be considered a projectile? Does the minibot have to use a motor?
Would this be considered a safety hazard?
Could this (or a variation of this concept) be legal?

[ShortBang]

Originally Posted by kfgk14

Hypothetically, if one wanted to use a spring-loaded fulcrum to launch their minibot up the tower, would that be legal? Would the minibot then be considered a projectile? Does the minibot have to use a motor?
Would this be considered a safety hazard?
Could this (or a variation of this concept) be legal?

<G20> ROBOTS/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if MINIBOT is DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

In my interpretation that would amount to deploying it above the Deployment line.

[EricH]

Please start by reading the rules.

Safety: I'd personally regard this as a major safety violation. You're throwing something of significant mass (15 lbs) up something like 10 feet vertically. If you miss and hit a ref, you can expect not to ever be allowed to use it again--assuming you pass inspection in the first place.
Legality: There is a deployment line on the poles. Contact above that by the robots is prohibited (minibots excepted, but they must be free of the robot--See Game Section 3.1.5 for details). Also <G20> applies.

I don't see any rule that the minibot must use a motor--Game Section 4.3.14--but you'll need to latch on somehow.

[RandAlThor]

But if the minibot is essentially a projectile, then it wouldn't need to be very heavy, maybe a few pounds max, and if it is latched on well enough, it should be quite safe.

But another thing the think about is whether there is a maximum force which you can hit the target, just in case the target gets broken by the minibot.

[kfgk14]

Regarding the comment about it weighing 15 pounds, there is no requirement that it weighs that much. If it was a project alone, it need not weigh very much at all.
I've read the rules, I just was wondering if there was anything further on the subject, and what other's interpretations where.
It says contact with the minibot above the deployment line is not allowed.
Given that there is an eighteen inch space for this spring fulcrum to launch the minibot, there may even be space for sufficient acceleration of this bot.
Further ideas?

[EricH]

If it misses, it's very dangerous. Then you throw in the deployment line rules.

Poof balls and soccer balls are meant to deform when they hit something or something hits them. If you threw a metal ball of similar weight, it would hurt more. And there is very little padding allowed by the Minibot rules. Imagine a latching device-say 1/2 lb--launched upwards to the target. That's some significant force (must be dealt with on the robot), plus if you miss, you not only have velocity but all the KE you have from the altitude. If you miss and there's a ref or robot right there, they'll probably move out of the way to avoid getting hit--if they can. Now your minibot hits the floor. It better be sturdy, and under <G46> and <G42>, you're liable to penalty as well.

If you miss, and I'm the head ref at the event, I'm probably going to call you on safety, too.

The risk ain't worth it.

[EricH]

Deploying above the deployment line is not allowed.

Originally Posted by Game Section 1.6

DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)

If the minibot crosses that projection above the line, no good. If I'm reading the definition right, the launching and the latching would both be parts of deployment, so if you latch higher than the line, no good.

Also see the safety notes I've suggested.

[Stephie]

Originally Posted by ShortBang

<G20> ROBOTS/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if MINIBOT is DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

In my interpretation that would amount to deploying it above the Deployment line.

can we just shoot the mini robot up to the top of the pole or does it have to stay at the top for an amount of time? [i dont have the rules yet :/]

[EricH]

Those of us that downloaded the encrypted manual haven't been able to find an answer either. Q&A opens on Wednesday, by tradition.

However, I would advise against shooting one, due to reasons I've already discussed.

FYI: after you post, you can edit posts for a certain period of time. The edit button is at the bottom right corner of the post.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Stephie

can we just shoot the mini robot up to the top of the pole or does it have to stay at the top for an amount of time? [i dont have the rules yet :/]

I don't see any rule that requires the MINIBOT to stay at the top of the pole, if that was what your question was.

[Stephie]

Originally Posted by EricH

Those of us that downloaded the encrypted manual haven't been able to find an answer either. Q&A opens on Wednesday, by tradition.

However, I would advise against shooting one, due to reasons I've already discussed.

FYI: after you post, you can edit posts for a certain period of time. The edit button is at the bottom right corner of the post.

how tall is the pole?

[Stephie]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephie
can we just shoot the mini robot up to the top of the pole or does it have to stay at the top for an amount of time? [i dont have the rules yet :/]


yes thats what i wanted to know and thanx!!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Stephie

how tall is the pole?

From Section 2, about 122 inches up. And, before you ask, depending exactly where you hit it, you'll need about 2-4 N to trip it.

BTW, as Gary pointed out, there is no rule saying that the minibot must stay up. However, the first Update may change that, and if not, the Q&A will probably be asked. In other words, it may or may not stay that way.

[jholland]

We are very interested in this too. Obviously the minibot would have to be very light to be thrown, and since it appears that the minibot (might) not have to stay at the top of the pole, and that the switch does not take much force to activate, I don't see why it would pose a safety violation...although whether it is legal or not is another question...

[Stephie]

i have a couple of other questions, my team n i dont have the rules yet due to the rest of the world try'n to get the rules all @ the same timeP:

*can we use external power for the minibot?
*what is the pole made out of?
*can you take only one minibot into the arena?
*is there a floor line that leads to the pole so we can line up a minibot?
*can we control the minibot via remote once released from the large robot?

if u can answer these questions for me that would b AWSOME!!!!