Answered: Wheel leg side-suckers: Entanglement risk?

[Oliver_W]

Hi Karthik.

<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.

One of the common ways to manipulate big balls this year is to mount a pair of wheel legs above the buckyball intake. You can see an example in team 21’s reveal video. The robot is very impressive.

The problem with these intakes is that they tend to get stuck in things. Sometimes they get stuck in the barrier or friendly robots, but quite often they get stuck in opponent robots. They thus pose a risk of entanglement.

However, they are very common. You can see them in many of the Toss Up videos on Youtube. I suppose no one thought they would cause issues until after many teams started using them, and now they cause the majority of entanglements at our scrimmages.

My questions are:

• Should a robot using wheel legs as a big ball intake in this way pass inspection? Will these robots pass inspection at Worlds?
• If a robot using this sort of mechanism does pass inspection, and during a match they become unintentionally entangled with an opposing robot, should they be disqualified under <R2>? If not, should they be disqualified under <G11> if the entanglement affects the outcome of the match?

<R2> Every robot will be required to pass a full inspection before being cleared to compete. This inspection
will ensure that all robot rules and regulations are met. Initial inspections will take place during team
registration/practice time.
a. If significant changes are made to a robot, it must be re-inspected before it will be allowed to
compete.
b. All robot configurations must be inspected before being used in competition.
c. Teams may be requested to submit to random spot-inspections by event personnel. Refusal to
submit will result in disqualification.
d. Referees or inspectors may decide that a robot is in violation of the rules. In this event, the
team in violation will be disqualified and the robot will be barred from the playing field until it
passes re-inspection.

<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 Toss Up 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.

Our Nationals run from the 1st to the 2nd of March, so an answer this week would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Oliver Wilson

[Karthik]

@Vex Mundi

• Should a robot using wheel legs as a big ball intake in this way pass inspection? Will these robots pass inspection at Worlds?

Yes, and yes. These mechanisms do not pose an unnecessary risk of entanglement.

@Vex Mundi

• If a robot using this sort of mechanism does pass inspection, and during a match they become unintentionally entangled with an opposing robot, should they be disqualified under <R2>? If not, should they be disqualified under <G11> if the entanglement affects the outcome of the match?

No, and no. This type of incidental entanglement is not punishable under <G11>.

@Vex Mundi

Our Nationals run from the 1st to the 2nd of March, so an answer this week would be much appreciated.

Good luck at Nationals, and thank you for volunteering!