Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
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Official Q&A: VRC 2018-2019: Turning Point

Usage Guidelines All Questions

102: How to deal with robots that do not pass inspection?


Pascal Chesnais (Event Partner)
9-Oct-2018

There is a good discussion on VexForum with differing opinions and weighins from RECF RSM on how EPs are to deal with teams whose robots do not pass inspection.

Two rules appear: Rule <T03> a. If a Robot cannot report for a Match, at least one Student member of the Team should report to the field for the Match. If no Student Team members report to the field, the Team will be considered a “no-show” and receive zero (0) WP, AP, and SP.

<R2> Every robot will be required to pass a full inspection before being cleared to compete. This inspection will ensure that all robot rules and regulations are met. Initial inspections will take place during team registration/practice time.

A) first question is does a team whose robot did not pass inspection and still on the schedule be allowed to send a representative to the field under <T03> and get credit for the outcome of the match, which is in essence the performance of the alliance partner?

B) second question - should a Head Referee disqualify the team for showing up to matches (with or without the robot) if it has not passed inspection for all matches the team shows up to? (a remedy suggested by an EP with the backing of the RSM)

C) third question - should a Head Referee allow a robot who has not passed inspection to compete while minor or trivial out of spec issues be fixed - i.e., over sized by a mere 1/16th of an inch?

D) does <R2d> specifically call for DQing the team every match until the problem has been fixed? Or does it mean the robot may not be placed on the field, but the team can show up and get credit? or does it mean the team MUST be marked as "No Show" and not allowed near the field?

<R2d> d. Referees or inspectors may decide that a robot is in violation of the rules. In this event, the team in violation will be disqualified and the robot will be barred from the playing field until it passes re-inspection.

Thank you for considering this complex set of scenarios and subquestions relating to <T03> and <R2> - I believe teams, EPs and RSM are all trying their best to deal with a case that does occur all too frequently in a fair manner that supports the growth of teams coming to competitions.

Answered by Game Design Committee

Per <R2d> as quoted, if a Robot is found to be in violation of Robot rules, then it should be barred from the field. <R2d> should be considered the same whether the violation is found during inspection, or during Match play; that is, they should be barred from the field and receive a Disqualification for any Matches which occur while the Robot is in violation. Passing inspection includes minor violations such as being oversized by 1/16".

If a Robot has passed inspection, but the Team decides to not field the Robot (e.g. if it is being repaired), then the Team will not be considered a "no-show" as long as a Student representative is sent to the field per <T03a>. This allowance does not apply to a Robot which has not passed inspection or has been found to be in violation - in these cases, <R2d> still applies, as explained above.

So, Teams must pass inspection before bringing their Robot to any Matches, and must ensure that they remain within compliance of all Robot rules throughout the day. We encourage event staff to work with all Teams to pass inspection, and keep Teams in the Match schedule if they are making a diligent effort to pass inspection in a timely manner.