[R16] Battery in Bag

Competition Rules/Strategy
1

R16:

Teams must stay “hands-off” their bagged ROBOT elements during the following time periods:
A. between Stop Build Day and their first event,
B. during the period(s) between their events, and
C. outside of Pit hours while attending events. Modifying parts at night offsite (e.g. pits have closed and you bring a MECHANISM back to the hotel to fix it) is a violation of R16-C.

Additional time is allowed as follows:
D. After Kickoff, there are no restrictions on when software may be developed.
E. On days a team is not attending an event, they may continue development of any items permitted per R18, including items listed as exempt from R18, but must do so without interfacing with the ROBOT.
F. Teams attending 2-day events may access their ROBOTS per the rules defined in the Admin Manual Section 5 (5.5 “Robot Access Period” – For Teams Attending District Events)
G. ROBOTS may be exhibited per Admin Manual Section 5 (5.4.3 Robot Displays).

On bag day, my team had an interesting conversation. R16E states that we can’t “interface with the robot,” would that prevent putting a battery in the bag so we could continue to test code?

2

It definitely breaks the spirit of the rule.

3

If you have to stay hands off, how did you plan to turn it on?

4

Yes, I would say that’s a pretty blatant display of interfacing. However, If you want an official ruling, you can ask Q&A

5

Yes its not allowed in spirit

6

Also if something goes wrong with the code, you could easily shred the bag, or the robot.

7

I have to say, as illegal and as bad of an idea as that may be, it’s a pretty clever idea. I’ve never thought of that before.

8

Yeah, good luck explaining a tattered bag to the RI’s… “Shipping damage”?:smiley:

9

So would you be using an RF interface (via WiFi) or an Ethernet interface to, er, interface with the robot? :confused:

No, you cannot do that.