So my team’s robot has a side that is two segments, and neither of these segments is 8 inches in length. Do we need eight inches of continuous bumper on each segment? I’ve been reviewing the game manual, and looking around online, but everyone seems to have a different answer. Thanks.
-Grace, Team 3055
Yes. 8 inches on each corner.
wrap a piece of string around your robot…This is your frame perimeter. Where the string changes angles is considered an corner. From every corner you need to have 8 inches to the center of the side. If a side of the frame perimeter is shorter then 8 inches then it has to all be covered.
To add clarity "wrap a piece of string around your robot** in the bumper zone **around your robot…This is your frame perimeter. "
Confusion comes from what is meant by a “side”. A side is the length from one corner of your robot along the string in a straight line to the next corner. From each of these corners, there needs to be an 8 in. bumper measured from the corner of your frame.
“Side” does NOT mean the left side or the right side of that opening you have in the middle to heard the boulder.
If the “side” (the distance along that string from one corner to the next) is less than 8 in. then the entire side needs a bumper. This might happen with a robot that has short diagonal sides, or many small sides.
Look at the bumper diagram in Team Update 5 (the picture of Perimeter C) and note that the bumper less than 8 in. long on the lower right corner is “Not OK”. Can’t get any clearer than this.
Bottom line, you need an 8 in. bumper on each end of the front of your robot, measured from the corner of the frame perimeter.
I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear, but better learn it now rather than at your first event!
Actually, if a side of the frame perimeter is 16 inches or shorter then it has to be all covered.