We can’t find in the rules if the minibots must stay at the top of the pole or simply press it and then fall down. Does anyone know?
Also, how much force is required to push the minibot goal?
I see nothing in the rules indicating that Minibots must stay at the top of the pole once it is reached. That would be a good Q&A question when it opens.
Contact force is approximately 2-4 Newtons:
A minimum contact force of approximately 2-4 Newtons, depending on contact location, is required to ensure the contact sensors in the TARGET trip reliably.
From section 2.2.5
I would be inclined to agree.
From everything we have seen, the minibot hits a switch at the top, and once that switch has been hit the bonus for reaching the top is scored. Thus after hitting that switch, minibots can do whatever.
Thinking along these same lines, interested in the answer.
based on the results of the GDC ruling on this, i foresee two possible outcomes: either a lot of broken polycarb plates from minibots running into them too quickly, or minibots exiting the arena after blasting through the scoring plate, if they dont need to remain in contact with them. one idea we had was to use springs to jettison something very light and more of just a mechanism than a “minibot” which would hit the plate.
good ? to ask GDC imm conccern with the plates breaking too
and 2-4 netwons to push the plate
but does that now mean that is not a viable minibot? thus illegal
well it looks like, based on section 4.3.14 (not 3.4.14 as is indicated in the definition of a MINIBOT, that section does not exist) there are no minimum requirements for what the minibot must be. at least, that is my understanding of the rules. There is a big list of everything that can be used on it, but i dont see anywhere saying that you have to use the NXT/motors/batteries for it. I could be quite wrong about this though.
There is a penalty for letting the field team retrieve it.
<G59> TEAMS must retrieve MINIBOTS from the TOWER quickly and safely after each MATCH. Violation: The FIELD crew will retrieve the MINIBOT if the TEAM does not. A second violation may result in a YELLOW CARD.
Based on <R92> the only materials you could use to jettison something to the top are rubber bands or surgical tubing. So i think a sling shot type mechanism might be possible.
You have to use the batteries/motors/NXT controller.
The Mini bot must be 12’ x 12’ x 12’ and cannot be more than 15 pounds
We cannot use springs for the minibot we have to use a motor (maximum is 2)
(law of gravity) perhaps something different to work with motor!
Hopefully this helps!
I can’t see anything that says we HAVE to use the battery and motors. I do see the list of parts that we are allowed to use. I don’t see anything that says that, out of those parts, something in particular is required for it to be a legal minibot. As long as the propulsion device is on that list (even if it’s a rubber band or surgical tubing), it looks like we can use it.
If there is a rule that explains this further, I seemed to have missed it, and I’d appreciate it if it was cited 
We were wondering if the minibot had to stay at the top as well. Everyone was asking, and I just kept responding “NOBODY KNOWS.” and that it was a great Q&A question.
I think we are required to use a battery, but that is all:
<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)
[Robot, page 30]
That just means that it’s permitted, and that we can’t use more than one. Just because it’s included doesn’t mean that it’s required unless stated otherwise. What I’m trying to get at is that it’s not like 2009, where the rover wheels were included and REQUIRED, and it was clearly stated.
Another question for the Q&A.
In terms of it staying at the top of the pole:
TRIGGERED – the act of pushing the bottom disk of the TARGET so that the sensors are tripped and a signal is sent to the Field Management System (FMS). When a TARGET is TRIGGERED, the MINIBOT RACE on that TOWER is complete.
Page 12, Section 1
By this definition, it doesn’t seem that it needs to remain there, it just needs to touch the top.
I agree with that, because it also states in the manual that the scoring is based on the number of lights illuminated at the top of the pole.
We were thinking about launch our MINIBOT vertically to the top of tower. But the rule <G19> provide something interesting:
<G19> After DEPLOYMENT, MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous.
I think that if you store some energy (like elastic through rubbers i.e.) on your ROBOT to launch your MINIBOT, it won’t be autonomous.
The launching thought has come up SO many times, but the ruling as far as minibots after being deployed states that:
<G46> MINIBOTS may only be used to climb the TOWER.
So it’s dependent on whatever GDC defines ‘climb’ as.
Also:
<R92> Does not necessarily rule out springs. Part J says that you can have:
non-metallic rope or cord.
But yeah, refer to for all the FTC bot components that are usable.
The limits are what is in the specific kits. There are no springs in the list, so if you use a spring it would be on your host robot, and would need to conform to safety and envelope rules regarding that bot. You want to use stored force you’re going to need to use the rubber bands or surgical tubing route.