On April 5th, 2022, Version 3.0 of the VRC Tipping Point Game Manual was released, and the following changes were made:
- Changed Rules SG3 and SG9 to only apply during the last 15 seconds of the match.
During the last fifteen (15) seconds, Robots may not contact the opposing Alliance’s Platform. The intent of this rule is to prohibit Robots from directly inhibiting their opponents’ ability to utilize the Platform at the end of a Match.
- Updated Rule R6b to clarify sensor legality.
Electronics from the VEX Cortex control system are not permitted. This includes the VEXnet Joystick, VEXnet Partner Joystick, VEX ARM® Cortex-based Microcontroller, VEXnet Key 1.0 and 2.0, 2-Wire Motor 393, and any other electronic components which are not compatible with the VEX V5 system. The Yaw Rate Gyro (276-2333), Analog Accelerometer (276-2332), and LED Indicator (276-2176) are permitted, and may be used through the V5 Robot Brain’s 3-wire ports.
- Updated Rule R12 to clarify intent.
In general, if the screw could be replaced with a standard VEX screw with no resulting functional changes to the mechanism in question, then they would be legal. However, if the mechanism takes advantage of a functional difference between the two screws (such as the additional flexibility of a nylon vs metal fastener), then they would likely be ruled illegal.
- Added a new section to the end of the manual to clarify details regarding the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championships. These include:
- Driver station layout. (All Driver Stations will use the “standard” layout)
- All competition and Robot Skills Challenge fields will utilize the “standard” metal Competition Field Perimeter, as well as the VRC Smart Field Control System. More info on the control system can be found here.
- A C-Channel bracket will be added to the Platforms of all competition and Robot Skills Challenge fields. This addition is to improve Platform robustness, and does not change the location of the platform, or otherwise impact gameplay.
- Robots must be updated with VEXos version 1.1.1. More info on that can be found here.
- Robots must use Bluetooth radio mode when participating in Robot Skills Challenge Matches. More info on that can be found here.
- Robot starting sizes will be checked using the official VEX Robotics On-Field Robot Expansion Sizing Tool (276-5942).
- The 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship will consist of the following:
VRC Middle School - 7 divisions
VRC High School - 10 divisions
To determine Division Champions, these divisions will play as separate standalone tournaments. Divisions will have 16 Elimination Alliances. Elimination Matches are “Best of 1” from Round-of-16 up through the Semi-Finals Matches. The Division Finals Matches are played as a “Best of 3” where an Alliance needs two wins to receive the title of Division Champion.
The Division Champions from each grade level will then play each other in a standard Elimination bracket (shown below for reference). To seed this bracket, Divisions will be ranked / seeded based on the following criteria:
- Average points accumulated by all Teams in a Division during their Qualification Matches
- Average points accumulated by the winning Alliance in Qualification Matches
- Total Autonomous Win Points by all Teams in a Division during their Qualification Matches
- Updated Rule VUR7 to include Standoffs, Bushings & Spacers.
Teams may use any commercially available fastener on their Robot. Examples of fasteners may include (but are not limited to) screws, nuts, washers, spacers, bushings, standoffs, rivets, hinges, pins, rod ends, threaded rods, or hose clamps
- Added Rules LRT8 through LRT12, to supersede LRT1