FAQ for Q&A

[GaryVoshol]

More questions:

--- Are penalties called when you commit an action against another robot in your own alliance? Examples: pinning, taking away a piece that is in possession, touching a partner that is deploying, etc.

--- Who records the coopertition points? How does anyone know if a scoring minibot has been loaned by another team?

--- Does <R14> have any exemptions for fastener heads?

[Alex Whipple]

I have another question.
How many licenses do we have for inventor this year in our kit of parts?

[CodeMonkeyMatt]

Concerning "3) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?"

From the blue box of <G02>:

...At 10 seconds before the end of the MATCH, when HOSTBOTS may DEPLOY their MINIBOT without penalty, BASES will illuminate with the appropriate ALLIANCE color, while TARGET lights will show a green „chase‟ sequence. This chase sequence will continue until a MINIBOT TRIGGERS the TARGET, or time expires, whichever comes first. If a MINIBOT TRIGGERS the TARGET within the set time period, the TARGET light will illuminate to indicate in which place the MINIBOT finished....

To me, that is pretty clear. The chase sequence, and therefore the chance for a minibot to trigger the tower, ends when the clock hits 0. The mini-bot will certainly be able to continue climbing to hit the target, but it will not be able to trigger it to score points. Yes?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by CodeMonkeyMatt

Concerning "3) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?"

From the blue box of <G02>:


To me, that is pretty clear. The chase sequence, and therefore the chance for a minibot to trigger the tower, ends when the clock hits 0. The mini-bot will certainly be able to continue climbing to hit the target, but it will not be able to trigger it to score points. Yes?

That blue box is not a rule. However: The rules (<G68>) CLEARLY state that objects in motion (which could easily include the minibots) have 10 seconds to come to rest or score. I've gone through this before. If that blue box is a rule, they're gonna have to resolve the discrepancy by either revising the blue box or by declaring an exception to the other rule for the Minibot.

The only way to resolve this is by asking them and pointing out the contradiction.

[CodeMonkeyMatt]

I realize that it's not a rule. However, I see no discrepency. Let's say they wait for the minibots to stop moving, and one of them hits the target. Correct me if I'm wrong, but <G68> says that scores will be tabulated after 10 seconds, not necessarily that all methods of scoring are available after 10 seconds, so I think that the minibot triggering the tower would not score.

I suppose that it could be misinterpreted, so we should ask the Q&A, but I would be surprised if they allowed minibots to score after the clock runs out.

Originally Posted by EricH

That blue box is not a rule. However: The rules (<G68>) CLEARLY state that objects in motion (which could easily include the minibots) have 10 seconds to come to rest or score. I've gone through this before. If that blue box is a rule, they're gonna have to resolve the discrepancy by either revising the blue box or by declaring an exception to the other rule for the Minibot.

The only way to resolve this is by asking them and pointing out the contradiction.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by CodeMonkeyMatt

I realize that it's not a rule. However, I see no discrepency. Let's say they wait for the minibots to stop moving, and one of them hits the target. Correct me if I'm wrong, but <G68> says that scores will be tabulated after 10 seconds, not necessarily that all methods of scoring are available after 10 seconds, so I think that the minibot triggering the tower would not score.

I suppose that it could be misinterpreted, so we should ask the Q&A, but I would be surprised if they allowed minibots to score after the clock runs out.

Last year's rules don't apply this year... but last year, multiple balls scored after the buzzer, simply because they were in motion.

There are two ways to look at this, and both have valid points. That's why it's one for Q&A.

boomer, I'll answer as best I can.
1) Nope, unless it's pinning.
2) Depends on maneuvering. If it clearly has the opportunity to try to exit and does not, then penalties would probably be thrown. However, if it's getting pushed around by the offense robot who is trying to score over it, no penalty (again, it's being forced into the situation). If you're the defense robot in this position, you need to be attempting to get out if you can. If you're not, the refs would probably be justified in throwing a penalty.

[CodeMonkeyMatt]

The Q&A's up to post questions, but I'm a little confused. I saw about 6 questions in there earlier today, but now there's only 2, and there's no posts in the answered part of it. This is the first year (sadly) that we've been focusing enough on the rules to use the Q&A, so if someone with more experience could tell me if that's normal, I'd appreciate it.

Originally Posted by EricH

Last year's rules don't apply this year... but last year, multiple balls scored after the buzzer, simply because they were in motion.

There are two ways to look at this, and both have valid points. That's why it's one for Q&A.

boomer, I'll answer as best I can.
1) Nope, unless it's pinning.
2) Depends on maneuvering. If it clearly has the opportunity to try to exit and does not, then penalties would probably be thrown. However, if it's getting pushed around by the offense robot who is trying to score over it, no penalty (again, it's being forced into the situation). If you're the defense robot in this position, you need to be attempting to get out if you can. If you're not, the refs would probably be justified in throwing a penalty.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by CodeMonkeyMatt

The Q&A's up to post questions, but I'm a little confused. I saw about 6 questions in there earlier today, but now there's only 2, and there's no posts in the answered part of it. This is the first year (sadly) that we've been focusing enough on the rules to use the Q&A, so if someone with more experience could tell me if that's normal, I'd appreciate it.

In previous years questions posted by teams were not visible until they were answered.

[ATannahill]

These items have been heavily discussed and no final answer has risen. IMO this thread should be saved for items that need to be posted to the Q&A.

As to who will do it, IDK.

[Jack Jones]

Another for the Q&A:
{RE}
<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
...
C. exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack identical to those supplied in the FTC kit of parts (PN W739057)
...
E. No more than one NXT controller with the Bluetooth functionality disabled,

QUESTION: How are we supposed to power the NXT controller without using its self-contained batery(ies)?

[DavidGitz]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

Another for the Q&A:
{RE}
<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
...
C. exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack identical to those supplied in the FTC kit of parts (PN W739057)
...
E. No more than one NXT controller with the Bluetooth functionality disabled,

QUESTION: How are we supposed to power the NXT controller without using its self-contained batery(ies)?

To continue on this thread...
<R03> Custom circuits and COTS electronics are expressly prohibited if they:
A. Interfere with the operation of other ROBOTS.
B. Directly affect any output devices on the ROBOT.

ROBOT – ... ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT
What (if there exists) requirements are there for the electrical (power and signal) systems of the MINIBOT?
i.e.
Is it legal to have a the required 12V FTC Battery on the MINIBOT, directly wired through switches to power wheels to CLIMB? (Assume not, for now)
If not, what requirements do we follow for power and signal distribution as the Power and Signal Distribution Diagrams can not obviously be followed for the MINIBOT.

[h1n1is4pigs]

How high are the different levels of the scoring rack?
i looked through the manual and technical drawings but could not find a specific number. thanks in advance

[EricH]

Hold on a second, guys.

HPs: There are 3 HPs per alliance. One Analyst and 2 Feeders. <G08>.

The reason for the minibot moving upwards is that any scores within 10 seconds after the end of the match count as scored--but does that also apply to Minibots that are obviously on their way up?

Different level heights can be answered once somebody gets their hands on the field drawings.


So, here is the condensed list:

1) Launching minibots--is it legal under a) free flight or b) tethered to the pole?

2) Minibots at the top of the pole: Do they have to stay there until after the match, or can they slide down during/after the match under their own power or via gravity to make retrieval easier?

3) Are you allowed to move your own tubes, other than ubertubes, around after they are in scoring position?

4) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?

5) How many minibots can one hostbot deploy?

6) NXT power, if used--is there some form of schematic or something?

7) What methods are acceptable for removing the Minibot from the post? For example, could it drive itself down autonomously? Could someone bring a long pole out and activate something on the robot to make it come down?

8) For determination of "above the line" during deployment, is the top of the Minibot supposed to be below the line, or just the hostbot device?

8a) Are hostbots allowed to push the minibots upwards or towards the post, provided that this is done below the deployment line?

[Radical Pi]

Could you also add to the list what would be considered "acceptable" methods of removing a minibot from the tower? Ex: Would it be legal to bring an 8 ft pole onto the field to flip a switch on the minibot? (yeah, it's an extreme situation, but just an example)

[bobzwik]

how about this one. It's been bothering everyone in my team now.

-Please define "autonomous" in <G19>
(After DEPLOYMENT, MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous.)

What I am asking exactly is: Does autonomous mean it is not being controlled by the human (communication) or it is completely independent of the HOSTBOT's movements.
I remember seeing in the demonstration after the game animation (in the live feed yesterday) robots pushing the minibot to the tower. Obviously, the minibot is still dependent of the hostbot after deployment (it still needs to be pushed to reach the tower), but I am wondering if the robot can give a little push to get the minibot started on its race.

I am very confused, so what I'm saying might be confusing. If you need any kind of clarification, just let me know!