Answered: Self-tipping

[The_VEX_Raptors]

Dear Karthik,

You have seen the reveal of the 1107B Super Stacker, right? I have an idea to defeat it, but I’m not sure if it is legal.

When the 1107B robot or a robot like it expands around the goal that it scored on, would it be legal for our robot to tip itself over on top of the super-stacker so that the top of our robot knocks down their stack of scoring objects?

[Karthik]

@The VEX Raptors

Dear Karthik,

You have seen the reveal of the 1107B Super Stacker, right? I have an idea to defeat it, but I’m not sure if it is legal.

When the 1107B robot or a robot like it expands around the goal that it scored on, would it be legal for our robot to tip itself over on top of the super-stacker so that the top of our robot knocks down their stack of scoring objects?

These types of interactions are extremely difficult to judge without seeing the actual maneuver. However, you would definitely be in danger of violating the pinning rule, <SG4> if you attempted this strategy. Also, referees could rule that you have violated <G11> by intentionally entangling your opponent.

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<SG4> A Robot cannot Pin an opposing Robot for more than five seconds during the Driver Controlled Period while on the foam playing surface. A Pin is officially over once the Pinning team has moved away from the pinned Robot by 2 feet (approximately one (1) foam tile). After ending a Pin, a team may not Pin the same Robot again for a duration of 5 seconds. If a referee determines this rule to be violated, the offending Robot will be Disqualified for the match. There is no penalty for Pinning during the Autonomous Period.

@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.

All teams are responsible for the actions of their Robots. This goes for teams who are driving recklessly and potentially causing damage, but also goes for teams who drive around with a small wheel base and arm extended. Teams should design their Robots such that they are not tipped over or damaged by minor contact.

[The_VEX_Raptors]

If our robot tipped when there were 4 seconds left in the match, then we couldn’t be called for pinning, could we?

http://vexraptors.weebly.com/uploads/6/6/6/2/6662532/1325297733.png
This is our robot. If it fell forward onto a stacker, I don’t think anything would snag, as the intake would clear the stacker and hit the stack. Would it still be considered entanglement?

[Karthik]

@The VEX Raptors

If our robot tipped when there were 4 seconds left in the match, then we couldn’t be called for pinning, could we?

This is correct.

@The VEX Raptors

This is our robot. If it fell forward onto a stacker, I don’t think anything would snag, as the intake would clear the stacker and hit the stack. Would it still be considered entanglement?

As I said in the previous post, these types of interactions are extremely difficult to judge without seeing the actual maneuver.

[The_VEX_Raptors]

Alright, thanks! We’ll use caution if we need to execute this maneuver.

[Karthik]

@The VEX Raptors

Alright, thanks! We’ll use caution if we need to execute this maneuver.

You’re welcome!

[The_VEX_Raptors]

Another question regarding such a maneuver:

If our robot had several our own alliance’s scoring objects when it tipped onto the stacker, and then tried to score these objects on top of the stack, wouldn’t our robot be the offensive robot (per <G11>), and the stacker the defensive robot?

If so, then the refs would err on the side of our robot while judging this interaction. Correct?

[Karthik]

@The VEX Raptors

Another question regarding such a maneuver:

If our robot had several our own alliance’s scoring objects when it tipped onto the stacker, and then tried to score these objects on top of the stack, wouldn’t our robot be the offensive robot (per <G11>), and the stacker the defensive robot?

If so, then the refs would err on the side of our robot while judging this interaction. Correct?

The determination in this situation cannot be made by looking at a hypothetical snapshot of the match. The referees would evaluate any situation like this on a case by case basis.

[The_VEX_Raptors]

@Karthik

The determination in this situation cannot be made by looking at a hypothetical snapshot of the match. The referees would evaluate any situation like this on a case by case basis.

Alright! Thanks!

[Karthik]

@The VEX Raptors

Alright! Thanks!

You’re welcome!