Is this climb legal?

[bcootner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hH7YkedMqs

Not my team, but a very interesting video (thanks Team 2635 for posting!) However, this video has created a large debate. Is this climb legal? At first glance I would say it isn't because the hook/climbing mechanism exceeds the frame of the robot, and will go past the bumpers. Now, after further investigation rule R04 states:

"In the STARTING CONFIGURATION, no part of the ROBOT may extend outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER, with the exception of minor protrusions such as bolt heads, fastener ends, rivets, etc."

Does this mean that as long as the robot starts with everything within the perimeter, during the match (no longer in STARTING CONFIGURATION) arms and hooks can shoot out and go past the bumpers in order to climb? I still say this climb is not legal, but I find the wording of this rule to be very unclear.

Thoughts?

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by bcootner

Does this mean that as long as the robot starts with everything within the perimeter, during the match (no longer in STARTING CONFIGURATION) arms and hooks can shoot out and go past the bumpers in order to climb? I still say this climb is not legal, but I find the wording of this rule to be very unclear.

That's what it means. It's something that FRC rules allow some years, but not others. And the 54" diameter cylinder rule is related to how far things can stick out.

[MetalJacket]

Yes, there is nothing in the rules which prohibits extending outside your frame perimeter after the match has begun, the only limitation on size after the beginning of the match is the 54" diameter cylinder, described in G23 so this looks to be a legal climb.

[Saberbot]

Yes, as long as it still complies to G23.
You might want to give the manual a closer read

[EricH]

Originally Posted by bcootner

"In the STARTING CONFIGURATION, no part of the ROBOT may extend outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER, with the exception of minor protrusions such as bolt heads, fastener ends, rivets, etc."

Does this mean that as long as the robot starts with everything within the perimeter, during the match (no longer in STARTING CONFIGURATION) arms and hooks can shoot out and go past the bumpers in order to climb? I still say this climb is not legal, but I find the wording of this rule to be very unclear.

Thoughts?

What is... the PLAYING CONFIGURATION?

PLAYING CONFIGURATION: The physical configuration and orientation of the ROBOT while playing the game (i.e. after the MATCH has started, and the ROBOT has deployed mechanisms, moved away from the starting location, and/or interacted with the field, GAME PIECES, or other ROBOTS). This configuration is dynamic, and may change multiple times during the course of a single MATCH.

Oh, BTW. Starting configuration applies only before the match starts. See the definition of the starting configuration.

A 54" cylinder, vertical with respect to the floor and no greater than 84" high, defines the maximum volume of a playing configuration per R03 B and C.

Legal climb if they're in the cylinder dimensions, bumpers and all.

[bcootner]

Edit: As of the official Q&A this rule has been clarified, and the climb is legal!


Q135: After the game starts, can the robot activate elements that protrude outside the bumper perimeter through the bumper zone? In other words can robot appendages be hanging in front of / overlapping the bumper?

A: There are no Rules explicitly prohibiting this.

Thanks to everyone who posted!