After seeing so many robots flip on their backs, I can’t not wonder: what will happen if our robot flips?
The top of our robot is made of wood, and has a toughbox on top of it, covered by a metal plate about 1/8’’ thick. What will happen if it flips? Will the toughbox survive? Our robot weighs 117 lbs. Our robot is low, so it’s not likely to flip, but I want to be prepared, just in case.
Thanks in advance,
Bar #2212
[G30] gives a tipped over robot protection from being touched by an opponent for 10 seconds. (Other rules apply after that; you can’t indiscriminately “kick’m while he’s down”.) [G30] also implies that you can try to right yourself or get help from an alliance partner to get back on your wheels.
However, with the 14" appendage limit, it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to get enough leverage to get back up.
Short answer - you sit there and watch the rest of the match.
Bring lots of spare parts if you feel that your robot is vulnerable to damage if tipped over.
At Alamo Regional (San Antonio,Texas) this weekend, we saw some “rough play” where a robot was pushed over by one from the opposing alliance. I do not recall any Red-Cards being given for that in the second match of the Finals. Most of the tip-overs we saw were “friendly fire” the result unsuccessful bridge balancing (co-opertition and with alliance-mates). My observations agree with ToddF’s in his thread discussing bridge balancing strategies (www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104101). I seem to remember a few where the only robot on the bridge lost control and slipped over the side.