pic: Legal Bumper Configuration?

[AdamHeard]

The Wording on update #2 is frustrating, it doesn't specifically say that bumpers must be on the front, just seems to show that IF you have bumpers on the front.

I guess I'll wait for the QnA response.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

The Wording on update #2 is frustrating, it doesn't specifically say that bumpers must be on the front, just seems to show that IF you have bumpers on the front.

The update doesn't have to say it. The manual already specifies where the bumpers must be. The relevant paragraph:

Originally Posted by <R08> I

BUMPERS must protect all exterior corners of the BUMPER PERIMETER (see Figure 8 - 2).

It's clear -- to me, anyway -- that every side of the robot must have bumpers at the corners at least.

[Mike8519]

Looking at the intent of the rule, your configuration is illegal because the goal could protrude into your robot.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Mike8519

Looking at the intent of the rule, your configuration is illegal because the goal could protrude into your robot.

You don't know the intent of the rule and, further, even there are 6" bumpers along the front edge, it's still possible for the trailer to protrude into the robot.

[Otaku]

The bumper configuration is legal from what I understand, however the indentation which is presumably to help keep the trailer controlled isn't legal.

Both of these are assuming I've read the rules right. I may or may not be wrong. The only official answer you can get is from the FIRST Q&A Forum, though.

[Mike8519]

Originally Posted by Madison

You don't know the intent of the rule and, further, even there are 6" bumpers along the front edge, it's still possible for the trailer to protrude into the robot.

From team update #2:

But when taken together and the robot is designed to satisfy ALL of the requirements of the rule, these clauses can have a very pronounced effect. In the case of the archetype “wide drive” robot with a centered opening on the front of the robot, this can result in a significant limit on the size of the opening. This limits the ability for incursion inside the bumper perimeter by the trailer. See the example below.

Based on the small paragraph below the highlights of R08 they state that the bumpers limit the goal incursion. I suppose to both limit trapping offense tactics and minimize damage if a trailer goes inside a robot.

[Mike Wittman]

As I understand Team Update #2, this configuraion would not pass robot inspection.

[GaryVoshol]

The only way to know is to ask Q&A point-blank: "Must every side of the robot have bumpers?"

[AdamHeard]

I have QnA'd, it has yet to be answered. We'll see then I guess.

Pretty much it comes down to two things;

1) does the 3.5" of soft bumper from the adjacent sides constitute protecting a corner?

2) Must bumpers be on all sides.

[Bochek]

The outcome of this will cause some major design changes for lots of teams should it be Illegal.

[Bochek]

Any News From the GDC yet?

[sanddrag]

My interpretation of the rules would say this design is legal, but that's not to say my interpretation is what the GDC has in mind. When they say the corners must be protected, protect it how? Protect it from contact intiated from which direction? And what defines a "corner?" What if a robot has curved "corners"? How much does it need to be curved before it is no longer a corner?

[gburlison]

Originally Posted by Mike8519

Looking at the intent of the rule, your configuration is illegal because the goal could protrude into your robot.

Which rule are you referring to?

[Mike8519]

The text under the highlighted points of R08 in team update #2 has a few choice words that lead me to believe their intent is to prevent a high level of goal incursion I suppose for robot safety and limiting offensive tactics.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Mike8519

The text under the highlighted points of R08 in team update #2 has a few choice words that lead me to believe their intent is to prevent a high level of goal incursion I suppose for robot safety and limiting offensive tactics.

I think it was meant to point out that many legal bumper configurations allow the goal to protrude, and teams should be aware of possible goal to inner robot interaction.