Answered: Definition of hanging when sitting on the bump

[Overclocked246A]

Okay I thought of something that feels like it is illegal, but I can’t find any rules it breaks, so for curiosity’s sake, I thought I would ask (don’t feel you need to answer questions made irrelevant by earlier rulings in this post). First off, it is my understanding that if a robot were to have a hook for hanging connected to the robot both by velcro and rope, the robot could partially detach the hook, and then winch up to hang without violating <G10>.

<G10> Robots may not intentionally detach parts during any Match, or leave mechanisms on the field. If an intentionally detached component or mechanism affects game play the team shall be Disqualified at the referee’s discretion. Multiple intentional infractions may result in Disqualification for the entire competition.

I do know however, that you have clarified previously that being attached by a rope is not always permitted, particularly if there is risk of entanglement (aka tying your robot to a part left of the field to park in Sack Attack.

<R3> The following types of mechanisms and components are NOT allowed:
a. Those that could potentially damage playing field components.
b. Those that could potentially damage other competing robots.
c. Those that pose an unnecessary risk of entanglement.

However, as you mentioned in one of the referee training videos, teams should know to clear out of opponent’s hanging zone, so I am assuming that this would not be a risk of entanglement. If this is not a risk on entanglement, would the ruling change if the rope were slack, or if the rope touched the ground?

Assuming that all of that is legal, I will move on to what I really wanted to ask (for the record, my robot should be able to high hang, I am just curious). In a previous Q&A you ruled that a robot can be supported by a ball, so I was wondering if a robot could be supported by the bump (possibly in addition to a ball) and count as low hanging.

Hanging – A Robot is considered to be Hanging if it is Low Hanging or High Hanging

Low Hanging – A Robot is considered to be Low Hanging if it is touching the Hanging Bar of its own color and not touching any foam field tile and touching the hanging bar.

If all previous questions are true, would the following maneuver be legal/counted as a hang: First, extend a hook to the hanging bar and partially detach it. Second, while holding a large ball, drive onto the the bump so the back wheels are on the bump and lower an arm onto a buckyballs so that no other portions of the robot or large ball are touching the tiles.

The robot would naturally be reasonably precarious, and could thus be easily knocked off its perch by an opposing robot. If an opponent did egregiously stop a robot from performing such a maneuver by pushing them while the partly detached hook was on the hanging bar, would the robot be disqualified? If the opponent were to indirectly knock a bump hanging robot off their perch by pushing or catapulting a scoring object, would they be disqualified?

<SG7> Once there is less than thirty (0:30) seconds remaining in the match, Robots may not touch an opposing Robot that is touching their own Hanging Bar or Hanging Structure. Additionally, Robots may not touch the opposing Alliance’s Hanging Bar or Hanging Structure during this time period. Violations of this rule will result in a warning for minor offenses which do not affect the match. Egregious (match affecting) offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the head referee’s discretion.

I know this all seems wrong, and I don’t intend to do it, but I don’t know why. Could this be a rare instance of G1?

<G1> When reading and applying the various rules in this document, please remember that common sense always applies in the VEX Robotics Competition.

[Karthik]

Before asking any questions, we please ask that you make sure you are reading the most current version of the VEX Toss Up Game Manual. The definition of Low Hanging was changed on May 31st, 2013 to read:

@VEX Toss Up Game Manual

Low Hanging – A Robot is considered to be Low Hanging if it is touching the Hanging Bar of its own color and not touching any foam field tile or the Bump.

Thus you cannot be counted as Hanging while touching the Bump.

[Overclocked246A]

@Karthik

Before asking any questions, we please ask that you make sure you are reading the most current version of the VEX Toss Up Game Manual. The definition of Low Hanging was changed on May 31st, 2013 to read:

Thus you cannot be counted as Hanging while touching the Bump.

I bookmarked the manual last April, so I never realized that it was updated. I’m glad to know at least that there was a system in place to fix that sort of thing before competitions started. Next year I’ll try to be more careful.

Thanks for helping!

[Karthik]

@Overclocked246A

I bookmarked the manual last April, so I never realized that it was updated. I’m glad to know at least that there was a system in place to fix that sort of thing before competitions started. Next year I’ll try to be more careful.

Thanks for helping!

You’re welcome!