Answered: High Elevated robot supported by field perimeter, but not touching it

VEX Robotics Competition Discussion VRC > Nothing But Net (15/16)
1

Low Elevated sub-rule #4 is not present in the High Elevated sub-rules,
which I assume is intentional.
I also notice that a Ball is not a Field Element.

If a robot uses Balls as insulation to prevent touching the field element (field perimeter),
and supports itself on top of (balls on top of) the field perimeter,
does it count as High Elevated, assuming H.E. rules 1-4 (and all other rules) are met?

I can’t find a rule about robots breaking the plane of the field perimeter, so I assume in this case the robot would break both the inside and outside planes of the field perimeter, but mention if that matters or not.

Other than using balls as gloves to avoid rule #3 violation,
this is nearly exactly like the previous Q 84821.

From the 20150612.pdf rule edition:
Ball – A green polyurethane foam spherical Scoring Object …
Field Element – The foam field tiles, field perimeter, Goals, and all supporting structures.
**High Elevated **– A Robot is High Elevated if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. It is touching the other Robot on its Alliance
  2. The Robot that it is touching (see criteria #1), is entirely within the Climbing Zone
  3. It is not touching any Field Elements
  4. The entire Robot is completely above the plane parallel to the foam field tiles, formed by the top of the field perimeter. Touching the field perimeter negates a High Elevation.
    **Low Elevated **– A Robot is Low Elevated if all of the following criteria are met:
  5. It is touching the other Robot on its Alliance.
  6. The Robot that it is touching (see criteria #1), is entirely within the Climbing Zone.
  7. It is not touching any Field Elements, excluding the field perimeter.
  8. The Robot is not supported by the field perimeter.
    a. If criteria #4 is in question, referees will gently pull the supporting Robot away from the field perimeter. If the Low Elevated Robot does not remain Low Elevated and supported by the supporting Robot it is not Low Elevated. (i.e. It must be only supported by its partner, not the field perimeter)
  9. The entire Robot is completely 4” above the foam field tiles; approximately the height of one Ball.

See also related Q&A:
https://vexforum.com/t/answered-updated-self-lift/29559/1 violates #3 touching previously quoted
https://vexforum.com/t/answered-updated-previous-elevating-q-a-clarifications/29473/1 violates #3 touching
https://vexforum.com/t/answered-can-a-robot-elevate-by-lifting-itself-on-the-perimeter/29416/1 violates #3 touching
[Answered: Self Lift with no partner - VRC > Nothing But Net (15/16) - VEX Forum violates #1 (lone robot)

Thanks in advance.](Answered: Self Lift with no partner - VRC > Nothing But Net (15/16) - VEX Forum violates #1 (lone robot))

2

Good question. Our updated rule didn’t consider this highly unrealistic fringe case.

The intent of the Elevation rules/definitions is to have Robots supported by their partners. We thought our wording covered all cases, however this edge case was not covered as you pointed out.

This situation you have described would not be considered a High Elevation. Robots may not use Balls as means of insulating themselves from contact from the Field Perimeter.