Do minibots need to stay at the top of the pole?

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Josh Goodman

Deployment ENDS when your robot contacts the pole.

Maybe. Another interpretation could be that DEPLOYMENT ends when the MINIBOT loses contact with the HOSTBOT. It's not defined in the rules.

D) Get the hostbot out of the way so that when the minibot comes hurtling down after, it doesn't hit the hostbot and incur a penalty (making contact after deployment).

Teams, don't forget this!

But for the love of god, if you decide to build a physical climbing robot, make it go in reverse after 10 seconds to make your life and the volunteers life easy.

Please, please, please! At least have a switch somewhere on the bottom of your MINIBOT that can be used to reverse the motors after the match ends. Bring a pole to hit the switch.

[Randy Picolet]

Maybe. Another interpretation could be that DEPLOYMENT ends when the MINIBOT loses contact with the HOSTBOT. It's not defined in the rules.

Since deploymnet is defined as the act of positioning the minibot on the tower, then when the minibot is so positioned, deployment is complete.

Note: many of us have been using pole/tower interchangeably when speaking of deployment, but I don't see any point in setting a minibot on the base and having to figure out how to get itself on the pole.

Please, please, please! At least have a switch somewhere on the bottom of your MINIBOT that can be used to reverse the motors after the match ends. Bring a pole to hit the switch.

Um, if a minibot is designed to simply keep climbing forever, won't it spend most of its short life stalling out its motors at the top of the tower? Or at least wearing ruts in its wheels? Or both? Teams won't be allowed to just jump on the field when the match is over, it could be a minute or two while refs confer.

[tgraham_533]

Originally Posted by Randy Picolet

Um, if a minibot is designed to simply keep climbing forever, won't it spend most of its short life stalling out its motors at the top of the tower? Or at least wearing ruts in its wheels? Or both? Teams won't be allowed to just jump on the field when the match is over, it could be a minute or two while refs confer.

I have been searching the Q&A site to see if anyone has posted the question of whether the minibot has to stay at the top of the pole, but can't find it. I am concerned, based on the damage stalling these motors does, about trying to keep the bot at the top of the pole. Our team is having trouble posting questions so I was hoping some one here might have asked. Any help would be appreciated.

[MagiChau]

Originally Posted by mentor_533

I have been searching the Q&A site to see if anyone has posted the question of whether the minibot has to stay at the top of the pole, but can't find it. I am concerned, based on the damage stalling these motors does, about trying to keep the bot at the top of the pole. Our team is having trouble posting questions so I was hoping some one here might have asked. Any help would be appreciated.

Weird, I found an answer in the Q/A fine.

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=16121

GDC: Per the definition of TRIGGERED, once the disk sensors are tripped, the MINIBOT RACE on that TOWER is complete. Therefore, the MINIBOT does not need to stay at the top of the tower. It is encouraged that you design your MINIBOT so that it's easily retrieved at the end of the MATCH.

[BrandonG]

If you are limited to a 12" high minibot, how would you be able to pass another one if it is close to that dimension?

[TheMuffinMan53]

what would you make the spring out of as there is not a spring in the list of parts you can use for the minibot

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by TheMuffinMan53

what would you make the spring out of as there is not a spring in the list of parts you can use for the minibot

On the minibots, you could manipulate rubber bands or surgical tubing to store energy. Just an idea.

I don't think that we're sure about the legality of it, but we could also have springs on the hostbots that could make the minibot spring up.