<R15> question...

[princessnatalie]

So because two of your alliance human players will be on the opposite alliance station, our team was curious as to how to signal to the feeders what pieces are needed to finish the logo. Except as I was typing this I realized they would be looking at the pegs... never the less, we were considering putting blue, red and white lights that would be illuminated when that is the piece needed.

R15 states;

Any non-functional decorations included on the ROBOT must not affect the outcome of the MATCH, and must be in the spirit of Gracious Professionalism.

Would this be a violation?
In my mind it could go either way.
Thanks!

[EricH]

If I was an inspector this year (not planning to be), I'd call that a strategy aid, AKA not a non-functional decoration. Therefore, not included under <R15>, much like other lights that have been used to signal that stuff is ready by robots.

HOWEVER: it is possible to make a case for it being allowed in the player station, under <T26>, as a strategy aid communicating one-way to the Feeder HPs, or a case against it being allowed under <T25>.

You could also make it part of the operator console.

[Cyberphil]

A few of my team members and I have been asking this ourselves. We came up with a system, but are not sure how legal it is.

Thank you Eric for posting those rules. I have been looking all around for those!

[GaryVoshol]

Your light system would not be a non-functional decoration. So what? Just include it in your BOM cost and obey all the electrical rules. Robots have had signal lights on them before.

[gbrettmiller]

This sounds like a great idea. I would not consider them either non-functional or decorations.

[bhsrobotics1671]

We have a similar plan for our team.

[tim-tim]

We have a similar plan, but also several back-ups just in case it is deemed illegal. I think we will be allowed to use the lights.

In the past, the use of lights on your robot couldn't interfere with the camera and other sensors. We had lights on our robot last year for ball possessed and within 1 degree of center of target.