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Official Q&A: VRC 2019-2020: Tower Takeover

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590: <SG2> Neutral Cube interaction during autonomous

UWAT
6-Mar-2020

According to q&a #405 and #446

Causing Cubes to interact with** foam tiles, Towers, or Cubes** on the opposing Alliance's side of the Autonomous Line would be considered a violation of SG2 via SG7. Per SG2, violations could range from the Autonomous Bonus being awarded to the opposing Alliance, to a Disqualification, depending on the context of the interaction.

Within <sg2> we have a note talking about cubes that start in contact with the autonomous line, from here on in this post I will be referring to these cubes as "neutral cubes"

Note: Towers and Cubes which begin the Match in contact with the Autonomous Line are not considered to be on either side, and may be utilized by either Alliance during the Autonomous Period. If attempting to utilize these Towers or Cubes, Teams should be cognizant of the possibility that opponent Robots may attempt to do the same. <SG7>, <G10>, <G11>, and <G12> will be taken into account when these types of Robot interactions occur.

My question: when do the cubes which begin the match in contact with the autonomous line "neutral cubes" violate sg2 via sg7

Here are some generic scenarios that could be used to understand my question better. The intention of these scenarios is not to gather blanket rulings, but rather to give perspective to the types of rulings that would be affected by this q&a.

Scenario A) A red robot attempts to pick up one of the neutral cubes, doing so it accidentally drops said cube such that it lands completely across the autonomous lines.

Scenario B) A red robot accidentally pushes a row of cubes into one of the neutral cubes pushing the neutral cube towards the opposing alliance tiles thereby indirectly contacting the opposing alliance tiles

Scenario C) A red robot pushes a neutral cube roughly 2 inches towards the opposing alliance tiles, such that it's still in contact with the autonomous line

Scenario D) A red robot pushes a neutral cube completely across the autonomous line, after this a blue robot pushes this same cube completely across the autonomous line again (cube travels from neutral to blue side then to red side)

Note that causing cubes to interact with opponent robots are not listed as one of the conditions for SG2 via SG7.

SG2  
Answered by Game Design Committee

Q&A 446 included the following:

When evaluating a possible violation of either of these cases, we would advise Teams and Head Referees to bear in mind rule G3 - "please remember that common sense always applies in the VEX Robotics Competition."

The intent of SG2 is to prohibit Robots from interfering with their opponents' autonomous routines. The intent of the Note in SG2 is to permit Robots to utilize the "neutral" Cubes and Towers during the Autonomous Period, should they choose to do so, at their own risk of the opponents doing the same. The overarching common sense guidance is intended to protect Teams and Head Referees from having to worry about instantaneous, edge-case, or accidental violations.

We are not going to provide blanket answers to all snapshot descriptions of hypothetical interactions that involve these contested Cubes or Towers, and would advise Head Referees to prioritize "common sense" (in line with the intents noted above), and a Team-oriented experience at all times, when a judgment call needs to be made.