My team was wondering if polycarbonate used as a side plate can be considered decoration so that it would count toward our polycarb budget. My teamates argument is that sideplates are functional because they “protect” our robot. I am arguing that polycarb would only be functional if removing it affects the perfomance of our robot.
Seeing as you already read the rule, (thanks for that). You are correct, the question is does removing the polycarbonate affect the performance of your robot. In most cases as long as it “back by legal materials” it can be a nonfunctional decoration (I would recommend actually decorating it–it looks cool but you don’t have to). As a side not, I don’t think polycarbonate would actually protect your robot that much so if it is just mounted to the side of your drive it should count as a decoration just fine. More functional uses of polycarbonate are like trap door mechs, guides, sleds, laser cut gears or wheel guards.
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It sounds like your team intends to use these sheets as wedges or as skirts. A defensive functionality is still a functionality, so these plastic parts would have to count toward your limit.
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I agree with IndianaForever, these are likely functional. Even if they are mounted vertically and largely backed by other legal parts, they can cover gaps between the drive base and the floor that protect your bot from being lifted in a robot interaction. Depending how high they are mounted, they might also prevent a negative outcome like a ring landing inside your bot and counting toward your possession limit.
To be decoration, they can provide no functionality. You should assume that and inspection referee will rule strictly.
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I agree with all the other posts. But I wish the GDC would define “Functoinal”. Techinically, any decoration has a function, and, who knows, maybe your “DRow 4 GDC” sticker helped a robot not tip you over! I’m really bad at making rules with no loopholes, I just want a defination of “Functional”
This seems like a clear G3 issue. Normal dictionary definition should suffice.
Something on the lines of: “Of or having a special activity, purpose, or task; relating to the way in which something works or operates.”
The manual offers a direction in regards to decoration. “A simple way to check this is to determine if removing the decoration would impact the performance of the Robot in any way.”
Easily broadened to: A simple way to check [for functionality] is to determine if removing the
[feature] would impact the performance of the Robot in any way.
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