Answered: Ramp/Scoop

[7447C_Twisted_Wire]

If someone has a ramp on one side of their robot, and drives underneath another robot, such that the robot on top is incapable of moving, would that result in a DQ/warning for either robot? I don’t believe that it falls under the definition of trapping

Trapping – A Robot is considered to be trapped if an opposing Robot has restricted it into a small,
confined area of the field, approximately the size of one foam field tile or less, and has not provided
an avenue for escape.

If anything, I also think it wouldn’t fall under the definition of pinning

Pinning – A Robot is considered to be Pinning an opposing Robot if it is inhibiting the movement of
an opponent Robot while the opposing Robot is in contact with the foam playing surface and
another Field Element

if the other robot is completely off of the ground.

Thanks in advance

[VEX_GDC]

We cannot provide a blanket ruling based on a snapshot description of a hypothetical robot. However, a ramp built for the purpose of lifting opponents off the ground would likely be in violation of a few rules.

<R3> The following types of mechanisms and components are NOT allowed:

a. Those that could potentially damage playing field components.
b. Those that could potentially damage other competing robots.
c. Those that pose an unnecessary risk of entanglement.

or

<G12> 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 Robotics Competition In the Zone 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.

Furthermore, if the ramp was specifically designed prohibit the opponent from moving, then it could be considered a form of Trapping. See this Q&A post. The definition of Trapping does not specify how an opposing robot is restricted to a small portion of the field, only that it is restricted, without an avenue for escape.