"Load Bearing Surface"

[Natchez]

Who is needing to make design changes to address the Answer to Question 1617?

Q&A 1617
Q: As related to answer 978, Is a robot base considered "in" the loading zone if it isn't touching the hdpe 36" equilateral triangle? If so, What is considered part of the robot base?

A: No. The robot base is considered to be any load-bearing surface within the maximum 28" x 38" robot base size.

Q&A 978
Q: Regarding <G17>: What are the parameters for being "in" a loading zone? (i.e., must some part of the robot be touching the yellow triangle, et cetera)

A: There are no yellow triangles in the loading zones. The robot base and / or drive train must be touching the loading zone. The intent of this rule is that you must be in the loading zone. By making it blatantly obvious that you are in the loading zone, you will draw far less attention from the referees.

We spent all last night trying to ensure that we would not incur a penalty for just touching the loading zone with a "feeler". Just a few of the comments that were lobbed about were

"You've gotta be joking?"
"Looks like we will not be able to cap the center goal with that solution."
"Let's just wait to see if FIRST calls it!"
"It will probably be another one of those 'damage the carpet' rules."
"Do you think our outriggers are considered load bearing if they rub the floor?"

Our team will never intentionally break a rule expecting that the ref will not call it but we also acknowledge that this strategy is commonly utilized in today's society. As the football announcers put it, "If you don't get caught, it's not illegal." Wrong! Breaking a rule expecting the ref not to call it is CHEATING.

Personally, I sure hope that straddling the zone does not turn into another, "They didn't call it during the first regional week so it is okay to do" rule.

Are you in the same boat as we are in?
Lucien