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Official Q&A: VIQRC 2023-2024: Full Volume

Usage Guidelines All Questions

Clarification of <SC1> as it pertains to "race to park" in the endgame

91998G
14-Feb-2024

Clarification of <SC1a> is requested for the following scenario:

All robot motion other than drive train has stopped (i.e. lifts, intakes, other motion is stopped). The robot is racing to the supply zone trying to park prior to the timer reaching 00:00. The robot continues driving into the supply zone after the timer reaches 00:00. a> the robot partial parks prior to the start of the buzzer b> the robot partial parks after the start of the buzzer

For scenario a, does the partial park count and is a minor/major violation issued? For scenario b, clearly the partial park doesn't count, but is a minor/major violation issued?

Does the same clarification apply to racing to removing a red block instead of parking?

<SC1b> and the violation notes only apply to blocks scored (so could apply to removing red blocks). Partial parking is not covered by a violation note. <SC1a> specifically states the intent is for all motion to cease when the timer reaches 00:00 and has a resolution for points scored after that. However, it does not mention issuing violations ("Any scoring...will not count" instead of "Any scoring...will not count and a minor/major violation will be issued"). It would seem that for things not covered by <SC1b> that the referee would simply note that the park (and the red block removal?) was after the end and isn't scored. However, the clarification https://www.robotevents.com/VIQRC/2023-2024/QA/1810 makes it clear that flywheel motion, even if not score affecting, at the 00:00 timer mark is a minor/major violation.

SC1  
Answered by committee
23-Feb-2024

<SC1b> and the violation notes only apply to blocks scored (so could apply to removing red blocks). Partial parking is not covered by a violation note.

This is correct. "Buzzer-beater" movement or scoring that does not involve Goals will not result in the implications of clause "b" taking effect. (namely because, there is no Goal which can be set to "empty")

However, the clarification https://www.robotevents.com/VIQRC/2023-2024/QA/1810 makes it clear that flywheel motion, even if not score affecting, at the 00:00 timer mark is a minor/major violation.

This is also correct. Clause "a" still applies to any type of motion after the end of the Match. Deciding the correct way to handle this motion requires a Head Referee judgment call based on the context of the Match / action.

Q&A 1810 described one possible context, in which a mechanism continues moving post-Match with no attempt made to stop its motion. This is outside the intent of <SC1> because, even if this motion is not Score Affecting, it still has significant potential to interfere with post-Match scoring, field reset, etc.

We would interpret the context described in this post to be more of a "buzzer-beater" scoring attempt. This scenario has a range of possible judgments that a Head Referee may make, and we will not be able to provide a "one-size-fits-all" answer.

For example, if it is a Team's first occurrence, and the moment when the Robot stopped moving is imperceptibly close to when the timer hit 0, then the Note from <SC2> may apply:

Note: In cases where a Scoring status is “too close to call,” Teams will be given the “benefit of the doubt,” and the higher of the two possible Scoring statuses should be assigned. Head Referees will not be expected or required to define a perfect horizontal plane or check imperceptibly small measurements.

However, if the Team has received prior warnings, or Violation is more egregious (e.g. multiple seconds of motion after the Match ends), then it may escalate at the Head Referee's discretion.