Answered: Are preloaded balls considered part of the Robot by <R4>?

[Advic]

Do preloaded balls count as part of the robot size? If a preloaded ball exceeds the maximum allowed robot starting size, is this acceptable?

I’m 99% sure the answer is no, but I guess it’s better to ask now than regret it later. Specifically, I mean preloading balls on top of a robot at or near the 18" height limit.

[JVN]

@Advic

Do preloaded balls count as part of the robot size? If a preloaded ball exceeds the maximum allowed robot starting size, is this acceptable?

I’m 99% sure the answer is no, but I guess it’s better to ask now than regret it later. Specifically, I mean preloading balls on top of a robot at or near the 18" height limit.

Balls preloaded into a robot per <SG2> would not count as part of the robot. These balls would not be included when the robot is measured per <R4>.

Preloaded balls can exceed the (18" x 18" x 18") initial starting size outlined in <R4>.

For Reference

**<SG2> **Prior to the start of each match, each team will have two (2) smalls balls available to preload into their robots. Each alliance will also have one (1) medium ball available to preload into one of their robots (the alliance teams will need to determine which robot will receive this preloaded ball).
A ball is considered to be legally preloaded if it is touching the robot and not touching any part of the playing field, including the foam playing surface, or game objects.

<R4> At the beginning of any match, the maximum allowed size of a robot is 18" x 18" x 18".
During inspections, robots will be placed into a “sizing box” which has interior dimensions matching the above size constraints. To pass inspection, a robot must fit within the box without touching the box walls or ceiling.
Robots may expand beyond their starting size constraints after the start of a match.
Any restraints used to maintain starting size (i.e. zip ties, rubber bands, etc) MUST remain attached to the robot for the duration of the match.