Game Play

[Administrator]

Reply to this post to ask your question about Game Play.

[2010FTC0965]

Since the design of the Magnetic Batons also blocks light through the baton, would there be any reason why we could not use a light sensor to attempt to identify the magnetic baton?

There is nothing in the rules that prevents the use of a light sensor to detect the magnetic baton.

[Raj]

The GDC has seen many posts asking for clarification of the term "possession" with respect to the batons. Based on all of these questions, we have come up with an update and clarification to the term possession.

Possess / Possessing a Baton - Controlling the position and movement of a BATON. A BATON shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the BATON remains in approximately the same position relative to the robot.

Batons that are being "driven over" or being "pushed" are not considered in "possession" as you would be able to move or change orientation of the robot and the batons would stay where they are.

These updates will be made to the next version of the Game Manual which will be available later this week. All previously asked questions concerning baton possession are considered to be answered by this post. Any new Q&A should be referenced with respect to this (and other) new definitions. Thank you.

[Raj]

The GDC has seen many posts asking for clarification of the term "possession" with respect to the rolling goals. Based on all of these questions, we have come up with an update and clarification to the term possession.

Possess / Possessing a Rolling Goal - Controlling the position and movement of a ROLLING GOAL. A ROLLING GOAL shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the ROLLING GOAL remains in approximately the same position relative to the robot.

These updates will be made to the next version of the Game Manual which will be available later this week. All previously asked questions concerning rolling goal possession are considered to be answered by this post. Any new Q&A should be referenced with respect to this (and other) new definitions. Thank you.

[Professor Proton]

Is it legal to "handoff" a baton to your own alliance partner as long as you don't possess more than 5 at a time? The wording of <SG 4> is a little confusing since both robots could be touching it at the same time. Thanks

A: Yes, it is legal for a robot to handoff a Baton to an Alliance Partner’s robot so long as no other rules are violated in the process. For example, the 5-Baton possession limit applies.

[Professor Proton]

"<SG11> During the End Game:
a. Robots may only make contact with the Bridge of their corresponding Alliance. Robots may not touch or interfere in any way with the balancing of the opposing Alliance’s Bridge. This includes pushing Rolling Goals or Batons under or onto the Bridge. Each violation of this rule will result in a penalty.
b. Robots may make contact with their own alliance’s Rolling Goal and lift, grasp, or hold it for the purposes of balancing on the Bridge. Any batons that fall out of their own Rolling Goal as a result of this action will not be counted".

Can the robot grasp, lift or hold the rolling goal in the end game whether the robot is on the bridge or not?
Thank you.

A: Yes, a robot can lift, grasp, or hold their own alliances's Rolling Goal during the End Game whether the robot is on the bridge or not, so long as no other rule is violated in the process. Pay particular attention to <S1> and <G8> concerning damaging the playing field or field elements.

[Wil Wheaton]

Sorry but one more question on possession of batons. If my rolling goal has 10 batons in it, and during endgame the robot "grabs" the goal and moves it to try to balance on the bridge, then according to the new definition I am possessing 10 batons (the batons will clearly move with the robot if it spins or backs up in this situation) and would incur a huge penalty. Was this the intention of the game committee? Or should the definition also include the notion that the robot must be directly "touching" the baton and not simply indirectly touching it by grabbing the goal?

Batons that are in a goal that is "possessed" by a robot during the end game will not trigger a penalty. Their position is effectively controlled by the goal, not by the robot.

[Wil Wheaton]

We are concerned with the "1. New Definition - Rolling Goal Possession"

"Possess / Possessing a Rolling Goal - Controlling the position and movement of a ROLLING GOAL.
A ROLLING GOAL shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation
(e.g. backs up or spins in place), the ROLLING GOAL remains in approximately the same position relative to the robot".

If the robot has a V-shape or any other shape in front that guides the rolling goal it would be illegal because it will move with the robot relative to its position It looks like the robot can only have a flat front, but technically that would also be moving the rolling goal in relatively the same position.
Thank You.

It is not possible for us to rule on all possible robot shape options. In general, if it is possible to pull away either the robot or the rolling goal, without lifting either, and have them come away from each other cleanly, the rolling goal has not been "possessed" by the robot.

[Wil Wheaton]

Does a baton in possession of a robot cause a goal to be possessed by the robot if it breaks the top plane of a scoring tube while still being held by the robot.

Breaking the plane of a scoring tube is not sufficient to be considered possession of the rolling goal. However, using a baton, held in a manipulator of a robot, to push/pull the rolling goal would. The exact call made will be determined by the referee at the time.

[Raj]

If our own Alliance's Rolling Goal is tipped over while pushing it over a Bridge, Cliff or Mountain ... can we attempt to restore it (presumably by techniques that would normally constitute possession) before the End Game.

Basically, is a tipped over rolling goal suspect to the possession rules and penalties.

A: <SG8> applies to this scenario. You may not lift, grasp, or hold any of the Rolling Goals except during the End Game. Righting the goal while not possessing it is allowed (i.e. pushing it).