The other day in a competition, we ran across a robot who’s sole strategy was to tip over the opposing mobile goals. They were not disqualified, nor given a warning or disablement. Should they have been disqualified?
Would that have happened to be at a Denver tournament?
Yes, it was.
I don’t believe that is illegal. As long as they don’t grasp, or grapple the opponent’s mobile goals, it should be legal.
Hmmmm, let’s see. Was it the black robot in this video? I lost finals 3 - YouTube
Yes! Grizzly Challenge?
Yup
This robot you’re referring to, being my robot, I can confirm is completely legal. The head ref ruled it so, for the wrong reasons, but still ruled it legal. Because he is the head ref, all dq’s must be issued by him, and I had him talk to all the refs to make sure they didn’t warn me for it
I’m curious what his wrong reasoning was?
While talking to the head ref is a good idea, his ruling does not mean that it is always legal. I have been to a few competitions where teams were violating the rules, but the head ref did not know. At another competition our team was given a few warnings from the head ref for things which were proven legal later on the forums (not by us).
Hmm maybe, however
Rule G12 States “<G12> 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 Robotics Competition In the Zone 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 Robotics Competition In the Zone is intended to be an offensive game. Teams that partake in solely defensive strategies will undergo extra scrutiny in regard to <G12>. 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.
A team is responsible for the actions of its Robot at all times, including the Autonomous Period. This goes for Teams that are driving recklessly and potentially causing damage, but also goes for Teams that drive around with a small wheel base. A Team should design its Robot such that it is not easily tipped over or damaged by minor contact. “
That rule is specific to robots, not field objects. The team shown has definitely not violated rule G12
hmm, would a possible counter be to place a cone on the goal first? I don’t think they can legally tip over a goal with a cone on it
That’s a good idea, because then it would be descoring and for sure a DQ
<SG6> Robots may not intentionally grasp, grapple or attach to any Field Elements or the opposing Mobile Goals. Strategies with mechanisms that react against multiple sides of a Field Element in an effort to latch onto said Field Element are prohibited. The intent of this rule is to prevent Teams from both unintentionally damaging the field, and/or from anchoring themselves to the field. Minor violations of this rule that do not affect the Match will result in a warning. Match Affecting offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the head referee’s discretion.
The robot may have been in violation of this rule, as it was touching the opposing mobile goal.
@antichamber
Not to start an argument, but you also seemed to deliberately block other robots from scoring cones, mobile goals in zones
Where do you see it say you can’t touch opposing mobile goals?
And what rule does this violate?
Hang on, let me get an official rule clarification.
@Easton
@antichamber
Ok, but sometimes the GDC takes up to a week to respond to the official Q&A. Meanwhile, I am quite sure that this strategy is legal. It never says it is illegal in the rules.