Minibot

[RandAlThor]

[quote=Djur;993872]

Originally Posted by SashaKuznetsov

Forget that, I'd go for AA. Magnets. That'll be fun to see.

Does this include electromagnets?

If so, maybe people can use the magnets to walk up the pole

[SashaKuznetsov]

Hey guys with no rules or video cause site's down, here you go: http://rcrobotics.org/2011-game-manual/
^rules
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSc8FWfJQlU
^animation

[Erik Huang]

I believe you can only have 1 minibot.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Erik Huang

I believe you can only have 1 minibot.

Can you cite a rule? I couldn't find one or a combination.

[Randy Picolet]

Originally Posted by EricH

Can you cite a rule? I couldn't find one or a combination.

See the gossary for ROBOT... ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT.

[Ultramadscienti]

I think I found the rule that would prevent a spring-loaded minibot. I may be interpreting it wrong though. If the list of parts allowed for the minibot says "C. exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack identical to those supplied in the FTC kit of parts (PN W739057)" that is exactly one, not up to one. So having a battery on board would defeat the purpose of having a spring-loaded minibot. Just saying.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Ultramadscienti

So having a battery on board would defeat the purpose of having a spring-loaded minibot. Just saying.

So you mean that just using the battery as extra weight (not electrically connected to anything) prevents me from spring-shooting it up the pole?

I do read the Minobot rule C as "Exactly one" - not zero, not two or more, so I must have that battery as part of the robot. I just have not yet found any rule that requires me to draw any energy from that battery.

[DonRotolo]

OK, that being said:

<G19> After DEPLOYMENT, MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous. Violation: The TOWER on which the MINIBOT is DEPLOYED is diabled. If the MINIBOT is not deployed on a TOWER, then the ALLIANCE’s TOWER upon which the highest RACE SCORE was earned will be discounted.

Interference by an ALLIANCE refers to any action taken by that ALLIANCE that results in disruption of the MINIBOT’s progress. This may include, but is not limited to,

a) throwing a GAME PIECE at the MINIBOT/TOWER,
b) driving a ROBOT or GAME PIECE into the TOWER, or
c) directly contacting the MINIBOT or TOWER.

An example of unsafe operation would be uncontrolled motion that cannot be
stopped by the DRIVERS.

(Emphasis mine)

This may be controversial, but if I launch a minibot mechanically (e.g. with a spring), is that "uncontrolled motion that cannot be stopped by the drivers"? If so, it is "unsafe" and not allowed.

(Yes, I know that even the 'conventional' minibots shown at kickoff couldn't be stopped either).

[adam the great]

Originally Posted by Erik Huang

I believe you can only have 1 minibot.

You CAN have more than one minibot. obviously not on the bot at a time but you can have more than one. It is also to allow teams to lend them to other team for coopertition points.

[firemaster193]

We were thinking the same thing but we found a rule stating that the minibot must have 1 motor we think it means it must use a motor to get up to the top of the tower

[EricH]

Originally Posted by firemaster193

We were thinking the same thing but we found a rule stating that the minibot must have 1 motor we think it means it must use a motor to get up to the top of the tower

Minibots are not required to have any motors at all.

However, climbing the pole legally without at least one of the Tetrix motors is impossible under <G19>. You are allowed 2 Tetrix motors, and no more, on a minibot.

[Durham86]

Here is a short video of our minibot and we would love some positive feedback from anyone that can offer it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZvXsaTXGfI
Thank you from team 2883 F.R.E.D

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Stephie

can we just shoot the mini robot up to the top of the pole or does it have to stay at the top for an amount of time? [i dont have the rules yet :/]

I don't see any rule that requires the MINIBOT to stay at the top of the pole, if that was what your question was.

[Stephie]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephie
can we just shoot the mini robot up to the top of the pole or does it have to stay at the top for an amount of time? [i dont have the rules yet :/]


yes thats what i wanted to know and thanx!!

[jholland]

We are very interested in this too. Obviously the minibot would have to be very light to be thrown, and since it appears that the minibot (might) not have to stay at the top of the pole, and that the switch does not take much force to activate, I don't see why it would pose a safety violation...although whether it is legal or not is another question...