Answered: <G6> <R4> What happens if a referee can't start a robot in size?

[Oliver_W]

Firstly, thanks for answering all my questions in the last batch. Your answers cleared up the questions I had.

@Manual

<G6> During the qualification rounds, the red Alliance has the right to place its Robots on the field last.
During the elimination rounds, the higher seeded Alliance has the right to place its Robots on the field
last. Once a team has placed its Robot on the field, its position cannot be readjusted prior to the match.
Robots must be placed on the field promptly. A Team that violates this rule will have its robots randomly
repositioned by the referees.

@Manual

<R4> At the beginning of any match, robots must be smaller than 18” x 18” x 18”.
a. During inspections, robots will be measured in one of two ways
i. 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.
ii. Robots will be sized using a VRC Robot Sizing Tool. Robots will be placed on a flat
surface and must not touch the measurement slide as it is passed over the surace. Please
see http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex/products/competition-products/vrc-products/276-
2086.html for a visual reference
b. Robots may expand beyond their starting size constraints after the start of a match.
c. 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.

Many robots are very difficult to set up such that they are within the size limit, especially in a limited amount of time. For example robots often have multiple parts that need to fold in in a very particular way, and hair-trigger release mechanisms that can easily be sprung inadvertently while setting up the robot. Understandably, the teams with robots like these are often the last teams to finish setting up before a match starts.

If a team violates <G6> by not placing their robots promptly (i.e. they are late to the match or slow setting up), and a referee needs to randomly reposition the robot, and the referee cannot get the robot to start in the size limit within a reasonable amount of time, should the robot be considered legal or illegal under <R4>?

(assuming of course that the robot has passed inspection, and does actually have a legal starting configuration)

Thanks Karthik.

[Karthik]

@Vex Mundi

If a team violates <G6> by not placing their robots promptly (i.e. they are late to the match or slow setting up), and a referee needs to randomly reposition the robot, and the referee cannot get the robot to start in the size limit within a reasonable amount of time, should the robot be considered legal or illegal under <R4>?

A Robot that cannot be brought into a legal starting position in a prompt fashion should not be allowed to play in the Match. Thus in the situation you have described, if the referee deems it necessary, they can disallow the Robot from competing in the Match.