Answered: Righting flipped robot in starting tile

VEX Robotics Competition Discussion VRC > Previous Games
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We recently had a situation during a tournament where our robot was flipped over in our starting tile during the autonomous period. When we went to put the robot back on its wheels, we were told that we could not do that and had to watch the rest of the match with the robot on its back. The robot was completely within the starting tile.

The closest ruling we can find that might prevent this is from <SG4>

"Drivers or Coaches also may not change the configuration of the Robot in any way 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, unless you are in the act of a repair). Any changes to the Robot’s configuration performed during the act of repair must be reversed before the Robot can leave the Alliance Starting Tile. "

This was a bit of a fluke situation, but we would like some clarification if it is true that you can’t right a robot even if it is completely within the starting tile. Additionally, if a robot was to flip over and be partially touching its starting tile, could it be dragged back in and set back on its wheels?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Team #6380

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This is not true. During the Autonomous Period, you are allowed to right a fallen robot that is touching the Alliance Starting Tile. This would be considered a legal reorientation.

Yes, this would also be legal.

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Thanks for the prompt response! How do we get this communicated during a tournament to judges? One challenge we have seen is that these rulings are not always known locally. Can we use this thread as an official reference if it happens during a match?

Thanks again!

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You can politely inform them.

Yes.

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