Answered: Questions about "Gatebots"

[RoboDesigners]

This ruling expressly allows “Gatebots” (robots that expand enough to almost form another “gate” or fence).

I have two questions regarding such robots:
1. These robots are, by nature, “defensively” designed. <G11> says:

@Manual

Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or Entanglement of Robots are not part of the ethos of the VEX Robotics Competition and are not allowed. However, VEX Gateway is an interactive game. Some incidental tipping, Entanglement, and damage may occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, Entanglement, or damage is ruled to be intentional or egregious, the offending team may be disqualified from that Match. Repeated offenses could result in a team being Disqualified from the remainder of the competition.

VEX Gateway is intended to be an offensive game. Teams who partake in solely defensive strategies will undergo extra scrutiny in regards to <G11>. In the case where referees are forced to make a judgment call on interaction between a defensive and offensive Robot, the referees will err on the side of the offensive Robot.

With this in mind, would it be allowable to tip a gatebot over (however egregious) while in the act of scoring? (I say however egregious because I realize you can’t make a general judgement without seeing all details…)

2. A pinning question… (I know you’re probably tired of these questions by now, but my searches haven’t showed a similar question…)

For an illustration, turn to page 4 of the manual (the two top-down drawings). Place a red robot in the red isolation zone touching the wall with the 11.5" goal. The red gate is up, with a blue gatebot in its place. Move the blue gatebot closer and closer to the red robot. How far away does the blue robot have to be to not be pinning the red robot?

Thanks,
Andrew

[Karthik]

@RoboDesigners

This ruling expressly allows “Gatebots” (robots that expand enough to almost form another “gate” or fence).

I have two questions regarding such robots:
1. These robots are, by nature, “defensively” designed. <G11> says:

With this in mind, would it be allowable to tip a gatebot over (however egregious) while in the act of scoring?

(I say however egregious because I realize you can’t make a general judgement without seeing all details…)

Intentional tipping is never permitted as per <G11>. However, if you are trying to score and another robot is extended high in the air to try and block you, and they become tipped, this could be ruled to incidental tipping and legal. As you stated, it’s impossible for us to make a blanket ruling without seeing the exact circumstances.

@RoboDesigners

2. A pinning question… (I know you’re probably tired of these questions by now, but my searches haven’t showed a similar question…)

For an illustration, turn to page 4 of the manual (the two top-down drawings). Place a red robot in the red isolation zone touching the wall with the 11.5" goal. The red gate is up, with a blue gatebot in its place. Move the blue gatebot closer and closer to the red robot. How far away does the blue robot have to be to not be pinning the red robot?

Again, it is very difficult to make a blanket ruling without seeing the entirety of the situation, but based on what you have described I would say the if the blue robot is 1 tile or further away from the front field wall, they would not be considered to be pinning.

[RoboDesigners]

Thanks!

//Andrew

[Karthik]

@RoboDesigners

Thanks!

//Andrew

You’re welcome!