pic: FRC 1369's ASTERION 2016

[D.Allred]

Originally Posted by JB987

Great looking robot. Am I off base however by asking how this robot and others like it is legal per R9, specifically parts A and C ?

Examples of items that will violate R9 include (but are not limited to): A. Shields, curtains, or any other devices or materials designed or used to obstruct or limit the vision of any DRIVERS and/or COACHES and/ or interfere with their ability to safely control their ROBOT B. Speakers, sirens, air horns, or other audio devices that generate sound at a level sufficient to be a distraction C. Any devices or decorations specifically intended to jam or interfere with the remote sensing capabilities of another ROBOT, including vision systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, infrared proximity detectors, etc. (e.g. including imagery on your ROBOT that, to a reasonably astute observer, mimics the retro-reflective features of the TOWER described in Section 2.3.1.3 TOWER)

I've always interpreted R9.A to be building a robot or mechanism to face guard the opponent drive team at the driver station. 1369 in this case was on the other end of the field guarding an opponent robot.

R9.C - Other than being opaque, a plain panel is not designed to trick a sensor into believing something is there that is not.

I believe it is completely legal to build a defensive robot from a low drive base and a box on top of it less than 4'6". (That was plan "B".)

By the way, thank you 1369 for the awesome job on defense!

David