Answered: Robot Hitting Off Switch

[Carcabob]

During a competition, a robot had a claw using bent 1/2" wide metal plates to grab objects. Later in the match their robot’s claw had gotten tangled with our robot, and somehow managed to push the power switch on our micro controller into the off position, by accident of course, as we later observed. What should have been done by the referees?

[Karthik]

@Carcabob

During a competition, a robot had a claw using bent 1/2" wide metal plates to grab objects. Later in the match their robot’s claw had gotten tangled with our robot, and somehow managed to push the power switch on our micro controller into the off position, by accident of course, as we later observed. What should have been done by the referees?

The referees should not have done anything. This sort of accidental contact, despite being unfortunate, is not to be penalized. Rule <SG11>, quoted below, addresses this issue. (I’ve bolded the pertinent text)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<G11> 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.

[Carcabob]

Ok. I was just making sure. Thank-you!

[Karthik]

@Carcabob

Ok. I was just making sure. Thank-you!

You’re welcome!