Placing the robot outside of the Field for Repairs

Drift · March 14, 2016, 7:35pm

Are teams allowed to take the robot off the field for repairs? Or can a team remove their robot from the field if it cannot be fixed? I know the manual says to move the robot to the wall, but can it be taken out too?

Reason for my question: Sometimes a team repairing a robot may block access to balls and the alliance team would then have to go without. Also if a team does not have a robot ready when a match begins, a driver can stand there without a robot, so shouldn’t it be okay to remove a down robot for the remainder of the match???

Karthik · March 16, 2016, 11:17am

Yes, this is allowed as per <G14>, provided that the team does not introduce any new parts to the Robot.

VEX IQ Challenge Bank Shot Game Manual:

<G14> If a Robot goes completely out-of-bounds (outside the playing field), gets stuck, tips over, or otherwise is in need of assistance, the Drivers may retrieve and reset the robot. In the process they must move the Robot such that it is touching the field perimeter and not in the Scoring Zone. Before retrieving its Robot, the team must signal the referee by placing its controller down such that it is not in the hands of either driver. Any Balls in possession of the Robot while being handled must be removed from the Robot and taken out of play for the remainder of the Match.

This rule is intended to help teams keep their robots functional during the match. It is intended so teams can fix damaged robots, or help get their robots “out of trouble.” It is not intended for teams to use as part of a strategy to gain an advantage in a match. If referees see teams intentionally or repeatedly doing this, they may be disqualified from said match.

From above, re: <G14>: “It is not intended for teams to use as part of a strategy to gain an advantage in a match. If referees see teams intentionally or repeatedly doing this, they may be disqualified from said match.”