Team Update #8 is posted in the FIRST Forum.
Here’s the link:
http://forums.usfirst.org/forumdisplay.php?f=1495
I wonder what’s the matter with the usfirst.org website.
Neither ROBOTS, HOSTBOTS, nor MINIBOTS may break the planes of the vertically
projected borders of the opponent’s LANES, including a GAME PIECE in their
POSSESSION. Momentary incursions by a POSSESSED GAME PIECE will not be penalized
if they do not make contact with anything in the LANE.
Gotta be careful if there’s an opposing robot in their home lane and you’re maneuvering a game piece in front of your robot.
<T25> The only equipment that may be brought on to the ARENA is the OPERATOR CONSOLE, non-powered ANALYST-to-FEEDER signaling devices, reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the TEAM, are prohibited.
Emphasis mine.
Make those signals ladies and gents! It’s communicating time.
What was it again one by land, two by sea and three from above?
There’s some very important stuff Human Player/Feeder/Analyst stuff in this one. I like it. 
<G10> Each FEEDER STATION must contain 3 sets of LOGO PIECES. LOGO PIECES are considered “contained” if they overlap the FEEDER STATION in any way. LOGO PIECES may not contact the opponent’s ALLIANCE STATION.
If memory of 2007 serves me, tubes take up a decent bit of floor space. Looks like they don’t have to be entirely contained within the Box this year which should make moving around in the Feeder station a lot easier and Feeders can reorganize the tubes to their liking.
<T25> The only equipment that may be brought on to the ARENA is the OPERATOR CONSOLE, non-powered ANALYST-to-FEEDER signaling devices, reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the TEAM, are prohibited.
I’d suggest that everyone make some decently sized cutouts of a Red Triangle, White Circle, and Blue square and attach them to a 4’ long stick or something similar so that the signals can be clearly seen over the wall. This is what we are planning on doing for signalling - in addition to some other things…
Red, White, and Blue flags… Patriotic AND useful!
On the note of signalling the feeder, Is it legal to put something on the robot that signals the feeder? like a led or a little flag that pops up?
Yes, as long as it doesn’t violate any other rules.
we are planning to have LED’s that light up a blue square, a red triangle or a white circle depending on what tube we want. LED’s are scavenged off LED xmass lights.
Perhaps they can’t get past the new splash page to do updates?
And note that another change per Update 8 is that lights and how to control them are specifically mentioned.
We’re actually going with another technology for ours, going to be a “Withholding Allowance Item”.
Going to be epic, if we can figure out how to hook it up and send stuff to it :rolleyes: