Game Rules and Game Play - Answer Thread

[Raj]

Our team plans to lift the rolling goal by only grasping onto the base.

Would it be incidental contact if we used side rails that momentarily touch the tube only to center the rolling goal on our lift system?

A: No, it would be ruled intentional contact and penalized.

[Wil Wheaton]

<GS1> States that a robot may not control more than 5 balls at any time.


We are considering a strategy that includes device can get balls rolling across the playing field. Our robot would not be in contact with more than 5 balls at any one time. More than 5 balls that were set in motion by our robot may still be rolling at any one time, at a distance of some feet from our robot. Are balls that were set in motion by our robot, but no longer in contact with it, considered "controlled", and thus in violation of <GS1>?

Many thanks.

A: In general, the referees will need assess each particular situation based on what they observe. As an example, a robot with a "leaf-blower" type of mechanism could be blowing balls into a group for pickup. If more than 5 balls are being affected by the air flow, the referees would assign penalties based on <GS1>.

[Raj]

When starting on the Ramp does the robot have to start on the horizontal part of the ramp or can it start on the incline assuming that it is inside the lines enclosing the ramp and it is also in contact with the side wall?

A: The robot's starting position has to be on the Platform (the "horizontal part" as you call it).

[Raj]

Is it legal for a robot to move the opposing alliances rolling goals away from their initial starting positions during the autonomous period?

A: There is nothing in the rules to prevent that strategy except <GS11> and <GS12>.

[Wil Wheaton]

Are we allowed to tilt the tube onto our robot, so we aren't grabbing it but it is leaning on our robot and we drive around like that? Are we not allowed to touch the tube at all? If we tilt the tube onto our robot and drive away from the tube then we aren't officially pushing the tube with our robot. The tube would also not be tilted far enough that it is considered tipped over.

A: Tilting a Rolling Goal so that the Ball Tube is supported by a robot will not be considered incidental contact and will result in penalties per <GS8>

[Wil Wheaton]

Robots will be grabbing their rolling goals and moving them.
<GS9> says that "Grabbing opposing Alliance's Rolling Goal" is a penalty.
My question: "Is it legal to PUSH on a grabbed opposing alliance rolling goal in an attempt to dislodge it from the opposing robot?"

A: There is nothing in the rules that would prohibit this strategy. Be aware that any contact with the Ball Tube would not be considered incidental and would result in penalties. Additionally, any descoring of balls or tipping of goals would result in penalties based on <GS5> and <GS14>. Additionally, if the referees determine that the contact with the opposing alliance rolling goal is likely to cause damage, rules <G8> and <G9> would apply as well.

[Wil Wheaton]

Our team was wondering about the maximum points you can score in the center goal during End Game. We are given point values for what full rolling goals are worth, but nothing said about the center goal in Game Manual Section 1.4.3. The rules state that the center goal is worth 6pts per cm, and is at 120cm tall. Is the maximum value equal to 30cm at 6pts per cm, 120cm at 6pts per cm, or something under 30cm (i.e. 27cm)? Our current center goal from AndyMark only shows markings a little over 27 cm, so we are a little confused.

Thanks,
MOE 365 FTC

A: The measuring tape on the side of the Center Goal is the method that is used to determine Center Goal scores. The referees will determine the level of the top of the Balls within the Center Goal tube and match that to a marking on the tape. Based on this, the maximum score for the Center Goal is 6 pts/cm * 27 cm or 162 pts.

[Wil Wheaton]

Does it violate any rules to have one of our teams' drivers use an electronic counting device to keep track of the number of balls entering our robot during a match?

A: Yes, and electronic counting device violates <G2>. <G2> indicates that any device that a casual observer may mistake for a communication device violates <G2> and would be subject to an escalating sequence of consequences, include a warning, Minor Penalty, and possible Disqualification.

[Raj]

<G8>, <GS8>, seems to relate to any contact that occurs in the process of moving or controlling a rolling goal. This topic has been beat to death and sorry for adding two more ?s.

(1) If a robot is pushing a rolling goal by the base toward the ramp and the tilt that results from the transition from floor to ramp causes momentary contact with tube, would that be considered unintentional and incidental contact.

(2) "Would a penalty occur as result of light tube "CONTACT with a whisker" switch probe, if its only purpose is to sense the presents of the tube and NOT intended to cause or restrict goal movement of any kind, which even though intentional, is totally inconsequential to the process of moving, manipulating or controlling the position of the rolling goal."

A1: Probably not, but it's a judgment call by the referee. If the robot continues to push the goal while controlling it via the Ball Tube, it would probably be penalized.
A2: Yes. Contacting the ball tube to control a robot function is not incidental contact and is not allowed.

[Sheldon]

In autonomous or tele-op, when the kickstand is knocked over, it seems probable that many (possibly dozens) of balls could fall on top of the robot, some of them possibly getting stuck.
1. Would these balls be removed at the end of the autonomous period?
2. If not, would these count against the five ball limit, as outlined in <GS1>?
3. What if more than five balls fell and lodged on the robot? Would the robot sit there incurring a minor penalty every 5 seconds for every excess ball for the rest of the match as outlined in <GS1>?
4. Do we need to build a roof on our robot?

A1: No, the balls will remain where they fall.
A2: Yes, these balls will count against 5 ball limit.
A3: Yes, penalties will be incurred.
A4: The design of the robot is left up to the teams.