Answered: [Q Set 1] 20 Second Autonomous Repositioning

EDWARDZAHHH · March 19, 2012, 6:53pm

Hi Karthik,

I have several questions* for you. I have split them up by category of concern into several Q&A threads. Sorry for the trouble. If it helps, for most of them a yes or no answer would be perfect.

Concerning autonomous repositioning on legal starting tile positions for the 20 second autonomous period in the competition, providing no other rules are violated:

Does legal human interaction with robot sensors, in order to trigger or manipulate robot mechanism actions, include all VEX design system sensors (e.g. button sensor, limit switch, potentiometer, ultrasonic sensor, light & line sensor)?
Can these sensors be manipulated or activated by a member of the drive team while the same or other members reposition the robot?
Is it legal to reposition a robot from a position in contact with another robot to a position which removes the robot from contact with other robots, providing the repositioning robot maintains contact with a starting tile of its alliance color?
Is it legal to reposition a robot to a position which unintentionally places the robot in contact with other robots, providing the repositioning robot maintains contact with a starting tile of its alliance color?
Is it legal to unintentionally nudge any other robot by the action of repositioning a team’s own robot, providing the repositioning robot maintains contact with a starting tile of its alliance color?

Sorry that the writing is long-winded. I wanted to make sure my questions were as precise and unambiguous as possible.

Thank you,

Edward

*Apparently, of all the text I’ve typed up, there are 31 question marks, of which only five are in this post. (Sorry again.) You can give me crap for this when I see you at Worlds.

Karthik · March 20, 2012, 7:19am

Let’s take a look at the applicable rule for clarity.

VEX Gateway Game Manual:

<SG5> During the Autonomous Period, Drivers and Coaches may handle their own Robot while the Robot is in contact with their own Alliance Starting Tile. During contact with the Robot, the Drivers or Coaches may not intentionally manipulate or modify the position of any Scoring Objects (aside from any which are being loaded into the Robot), either by direct hand contact or indirect contact via the Robot. Drivers or Coaches also may not change the configuration of the Robot other than in the act of fixing the Robot (i.e. it is okay to reposition the robot relative to the field, but it is not okay to manually lift up the Robot’s arm).

The intent of this rule is to allow teams to fix Robots that are unable to move, to load Match Loads into the Robot, to reposition and/or reorient Robots, and to activate additional autonomous modes by interacting with the Robot via sensors or buttons.

The intent of this rule is not to allow teams to manipulate their Robot in such a way that they are controlling the Robot via human contact or creating motions that lead to scoring.

Violations of this rule will result in warning for the first offense. Subsequent offenses or an egregious first offense will result in a Disqualification.

Yes, this rule applies to all VEX legal sensors.

Yes, provided that no other rules are violated in the process.

Yes, provided that no other rules are violated in the process. You be very careful not to contact or to alter the position of the other Robot in anyway. It would be very difficult to attempt this type of maneuver.

No, this would not be legal. By contacting the another Robot, you would be “handling” a robot which is not your own, which is a violation of <SG5>. (Quoted above)

No, this would not be legal. Please see above for the response to your question number 4.

EDWARDZAHHH · March 20, 2012, 10:00pm

Alright Karthik, thank you!

Karthik · March 21, 2012, 8:05am

You’re welcome!