Hurdling Question

Competition Rules/Strategy
1

I searched, but I can’t believe there isn’t a thread on this. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

In section 7.2, it states that

HURDLE: When a TRACKBALL CROSSES a FINISH LINE while passing above the OVERPASS
and then contacts either the floor or another ROBOT before re-contacting the originating ROBOT.

<G10> states that

<G10>Each TRACKBALL that has CROSSED its own FINISH LINE while not in contact with a
ROBOT of the same ALLIANCE will earn 2 points. A TRACKBALL that has CROSSED its
own FINISH LINE which contacts ROBOTS of both ALLIANCES while CROSSING will earn
2 points.

and <G11> states that

<G11>Each TRACKBALL that HURDLES its own FINISH LINE will earn 8 points (2 points for
CROSSING the FINISH LINE and a 6 point bonus, yielding 8 points total).

I’m confused as to weather or not your bot can be in contact with the ball while hurdling… And if not, at what point it has to let go (i.e. the bot has to let go of the ball as it breaches the vertical plane of the colored bar.)

Essentially, my question is weather the vertical lifting bot with the side-grabbers in the game video is legal. It simply lifts the ball up, moves it over the bar, and lets go.

Thanks,
Jacob

2

I think that it can be toutching, as there is nothing in the immediate definition of crossing that requires no robot contact. The definition of a hurdle refers to the definition of crossing, not <G10>

3

It appears to me that as long as you let go of the ball before the ball contacts the floor or another robot, it’s a legal hurdle.

I think it’s a non-issue, which is why no one has discussed it.

4

We’re under the impression that you have to release it before it crosses the finish line.

5

Nothing in the rules quoted says the robot cannot be in contact with the ball while hurdling, it only address the contact issue when the ball crosses the finish line under the overpass (herding).

This implies that there is no rule about contact with the ball while hurdling, as long as you let go of the ball before it touches the floor or another robot.

Q&A should be able to answer this to your satisfaction…if they haven’t already…

6

It’s been discussed, long ago, and resolved. See Update #1. <G11> is still worded a little awkwardly, but it is clear from the Update that contact while hurdling is OK.

Jacob has an excuse for not remembering this, as he was still recovering and probably on mind-altering drugs. What’s the excuse for the rest of you? :wink:

7

We’ve been too busy designing and building a robot that might or might not be able to play the game :slight_smile:

also see

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=8151

8

We’ve been arguing over arm versus catapult for the past five weeks.

9

At least you only have another seven days to decide and build, whichever way you go.

ARM: Pros: Can be used to pick up ball, works well with a hard or soft ball, can probably remove ball from overpass
Cons: High COG, Slow, Probably stationary when hurdling

CATAPULT: Pros: Low COG, Fast, Can Launch on the fly
Cons: May need another manipulator to pick up ball, may not work well with soft ball, can not remove ball from overpass

My 2cts: Catapult

10

Thank you very much Gary. I knew it had been addressed somewhere… I just couldn’t remember where. This is very good news for us.

Jacob

11

If the ball in the process of hurdling gets stuck on the overpass, can we use the arm to push it from underneath at an angle to get it over. In other words, two steps to get it over. Any rule on pushing it off from underneath?
We hope not to get into this scenario, but once in a while while we practice, this does occur.

:smiley:

12

Doesn’t matter who completes the hurdle. See Q&A.