Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Inspiring students, one robot at a time.
This Q&A is now read-only

Official Q&A: VRC 2018-2019: Turning Point

Usage Guidelines All Questions

203: Extending Briefly in the Expansion Zone


12054A
8-Jan-2019

Hello,

Team 12054A has a question regarding Specific Game Rule 2 <SG2>. Our robot currently is within the 18"x18"x18" frame volume "at rest". We have a lift that expands beyond that but we intend to only use that IN the "Expansion Zone" when placing caps.

Our concern is with our current ball launcher. "AT REST" the ball launcher is under 18" tall. However, when the launcher is "RELEASED" it extends beyond "18" for a brief moment and then resumes back under 18". Would this be in violation of SG2 if we are OUTSIDE of the "Expansion Zone". We are in no way trying to block or see the potential issue of accidentally blocking another teams shot.

Thank you, Team 12054A

Answered by Game Design Committee

The full text of <SG2> is quoted here, for reference:

<SG2> Robot expansion is limited once the Match begins. As per <G3>, at the beginning of a Match, each Robot must be smaller than a volume of 18” (457.2 mm) long by 18” (457.2 mm) wide by 18” (457.2 mm) tall.

a. Once the Match begins, a Robot which is contacting the Expansion Zone may expand vertically with no height limit. However, once fully outside of the Expansion Zone (i.e. no longer contacting it), the Robot must return to a height limit of 18” (457.2 mm) tall.

b. Once the Match begins, Robots may expand, but no horizontal dimension can exceed 36” (914.4 mm) at any point during the Match.

c. As a result of this rule, Robots may not contact High Flags.

Note: A Robot which interferes with gameplay as a result of violating this rule, such as Toggling a High Flag or blocking a launched Ball while outside of the Expansion Zone, will result in a Disqualification, whether the interference is Match Affecting or not.

Minor violations of this rule that do not affect or interfere with 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.

Expanding beyond 18" tall outside of the Expansion Zone will always be a violation of <SG2>. The penalty will either be a warning or a Disqualification depending on the number of warnings received, if the Robot interferes with gameplay as a result of violating this rule, or if the violation was Match Affecting.

It is always difficult to issue blanket rulings on hypothetical Robot designs. However, any mechanism which must expand taller than 18" outside of the Expansion Zone to operate would be in violation of <SG2>. As this hypothetical mechanism is being used to Toggle Flags, it would most likely always be considered "interfering with gameplay", and would most likely always be considered Match Affecting if its use resulted in winning the Match. Thus, it would not be legal.