Robots Parked and Balanced but Supported by the Fence

[Paul_Meyers]

At a recent event my VEX IQ teams attended, drivers were instructed that there had been a rule clarification, and that robots which were parked and balanced, but were being supported by the fence would NOT be scored as balance, only parked.

I expected to find that new rule here but can not find anything about being supported by the fence. I did however find this:

http://www.vexiqforum.com/forum/vex-iq-challenge-discussion/viqc-crossover-2016-2017-game/official-viqc-crossover-q-a/14246-definition-of-parker

Which states that being supported by a HexBall is not a problem.

Please clarify.

Paul

[Karthik]

Let’s look at some definitions:

@VEX IQ Challenge Crossover Game Manual

Balanced – A Bridge is Balanced if neither end of the Bridge is touching the Floor or is supported by a Hexball.

@VEX IQ Challenge Crossover Game Manual

Parked – A Robot is Parked if it is touching the Bridge and not touching the Floor at the end of the Match.

As you can see, there is nothing in the definitions that prevent a Robot from being supported by the Fence. As long as the Robot(s) and Bridge meet the criteria listed in the two definitions, they would be legally Parked and Balance.

Now, there is one other rule that applies.

@VEX IQ Challenge Crossover Game Manual

<G10> Robots may not grasp, grapple, or attach to any Field Elements. 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 from anchoring themselves to the field. Minor violations of this rule that do not affect the match will result in a warning. Egregious (score affecting) offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the head referee’s discretion.

Robots may not grasp or attach to the Fence. But simply being supported by the Fence (i.e. resting upon it, or touching it) is legal.