2008 game confusion thread

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by Legionofone

Hey all, I had a question regarding breaking the plane lines of the four quadrants. What if a robot crashes into your robot and the only way fo ryou to get out is to back up over a line? Is this still a penatly you aren't doing it to gain an advantage.

If you're really stuck, then you probably won't be penalized for crossing the line.

<G23> Causing PENALTIES - A ROBOT’s action shall not cause an opposing ROBOT to break a rule and thus incur penalties. Any rule violations committed by the affected ROBOT shall be excused, and no penalties will be assigned. For example, an opposing ROBOT may not be pushed into another ROBOT in an attempt to cause a IMPEDING situation and violation of Rule <G40> by the opponent, nor may a TRACKBALL be placed intentionally on an opposing ROBOT for the purpose of causing the opponent to violate Rule <G26>.

[Dan Petrovic]

I did notice that they cleared up any maximum size confusion by changing the max size from 72" x 72" to an 80" diameter.

<R16> Once the MATCH has started, the ROBOT may assume a PLAYING CONFIGURATION
that exceeds the size dimensions specified in Rule <R11>. While in the PLAYING
CONFIGURATION, the ROBOT may expand up to a maximum horizontal dimension of 80
inches (e.g. all parts of the ROBOT must fit within an imaginary 80-inch-diameter upright
cylinder). There are no height limits for a ROBOT in its PLAYING CONFIGURATION at any
time after the start of the MATCH other than those specified in Rule <G36> about not
exceeding the maximum permitted height while in the opponent’s HOME STRETCH.

That makes things a lot easier to understand and it is one good thing FIRST has done to clear up confusing rules.

[lukevanoort]

Although it clarifys, I really dislike that rule. If you are an arm robot, you probably will make the long deminsion your sides for front/back stability. So, your robot is 38 inches long plus several inches of pool noodle. The balls are 40", so assuming that your gripper is 25" long (in order to get past the center of the ball), your arm can only extend out of the front of your robot ~15". To me, that seems like it unnecessarily stifles some arm designs.

[Blair Frank]

I have a question regarding <G28>

<G28> Bulldozing TRACKBALLS - Inadvertent bulldozing of TRACKBALLS while the ROBOT
moves around the TRACK is allowed whether or not the ROBOT is in POSSESSION of, or
HERDING, a TRACKBALL.

Does anyone know what the heck bulldozing is? It's not defined in the manual, and nobody on my team has an explanation for what it is either.

[Boothy180]

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

I have a question regarding <G28>


Does anyone know what the heck bulldozing is? It's not defined in the manual, and nobody on my team has an explanation for what it is either.

Inadvertandly running into Trackballs in normal play with no intent to herd (control) them. It is basically to prevent one from getting a penalty for herding while in poseession if herding is not the intent, but you hit a trackball.

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by Boothy180

Inadvertandly running into Trackballs in normal play with no intent to herd (control) them. It is basically to prevent one from getting a penalty for herding while in poseession if herding is not the intent, but you hit a trackball.

Still, an official definition would be nice. Add it to the list of things to ask!

[Blair Frank]

Originally Posted by Boothy180

Inadvertandly running into Trackballs in normal play with no intent to herd (control) them. It is basically to prevent one from getting a penalty for herding while in poseession if herding is not the intent, but you hit a trackball.

Thanks! I can't believe I didn't see that, but it makes a lot of sense now. Of course, once the official Q&A forums are up we'll get FIRST's definition, but this is great for now. Thank you so much.