Answered: pinning question

[jacko]

Hi, if a robot A pins another robot B in autonomous, and then is unable to move for the rest of the game, is robot A disqualified?

Also in the situation that the robot is not designed to move apart from autonomous, or the base doesnt move (like aperture for example) and only moves one way (spring loaded or something like that) and pins someone in autonomous by accident, will they be disqualified?

Just making sure of some things before we go into more competitions, just incase we come up against these robots

Thanks

[Karthik]

@jacko

Hi, if a robot A pins another robot B in autonomous, and then is unable to move for the rest of the game, is robot A disqualified?

Let’s take a look at the applicable rule, <SG4>, from the VEX Gateway Manual. Bolded text for emphasis.

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<SG4> A Robot cannot Pin an opposing Robot for more than five seconds during the Driver Controlled Period while on the foam playing surface. A Pin is officially over once the Pinning team has moved away from the pinned Robot by 2 feet (approximately one (1) foam tile). After ending a Pin, a team may not Pin the same Robot again for a duration of 5 seconds. If a referee determines this rule to be violated, the offending Robot will be Disqualified for the match. There is no penalty for Pinning during the Autonomous Period.

Any pinning that takes place during the autonomous period will not be counted. However, in the situation you describe, the referees would immediately begin counting the pin at the start of the Driver Controlled Period. Thus, robot A would be disqualified.

@jacko

Also in the situation that the robot is not designed to move apart from autonomous, or the base doesnt move (like aperture for example) and only moves one way (spring loaded or something like that) and pins someone in autonomous by accident, will they be disqualified?

Whether not a robot has a functioning drivetrain is irrelevant in regards to the pinning rule. A stationary can be called for pinning, just like a mobile robot.

[jacko]

Thanks for the quick answer, my question now is, is anyone disqualified if both robots are under the definition of being pinned?

[Karthik]

@jacko

Thanks for the quick answer, my question now is, is anyone disqualified if both robots are under the definition of being pinned?

It’s difficult to give a complete answer to this question, without fully understanding the circumstance that led to two robots simultaneously pinning each other. Thus we cannot issue a binding answer at this time. However, depending on the circumstances, it seems as though no disqualifications would be issued if two teams simultaneously pinned each other.