RobotEvents.com
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Inspirando estudiantes, un robot a la vez.

This Q&A is now read-only

The Official Q and A is now closed. If you want to submit a question for the Worlds Drivers Meeting, please click here. The deadline for question submission is Friday, March 24.

Official Q&A: VRC 2022-2023: Spin Up

Usage Guidelines All Questions

<SG4><SG7> "Gameplay" and "Robot Actions" Clarification

Christopher Morris
9-Nov-2022

As a referee, I would like some clarification on the meaning of "Gameplay" and "Robot Actions" as they pertain to <SG4> and <SG7>

  1. Would defensive play be classified as gameplay? I believe that the answer is yes as they are affecting the outcome of the match.

  2. If the answer to #1 is yes: Would the robot in possession of four disks be required to avoid all aspects of gameplay, offensive and defensive, until they are either able to remove the extra disk or the match ends? I believe that the answer is yes as well. They would need to attempt to remove the disks, not interfere with any robot movement for the opposing alliance or for their partner, not block access to the low goals or to the rollers, etc.

  3. What is defined as "Robot Actions"? For example, shooting a disk is an action, but would sitting infront of a roller be classified as an action because you chose to sit there.

  4. When removing yourself from gameplay, either for having four or more disks or for expanding early, would you be required to activly move away from gameplay? If Robot A were to expand early or have four disks, they would be required to be removed from gameplay. Robot A moves to the corner of the field with two rollers, as sitting in one of the Low Goals would cause a disk to be scored/descored. Robot B comes into the corner to attempt to score with the rollers. Robot A should be required to drive out of that corner and find a different location away from gameplay. Is this interpritation correct?

    As stated in the Violation Notes under <SG4>

Teams can prevent an accidental or momentary expansion that does not result in an <s2> Violation from becoming a Major Violation by immediatley moving to rectify the Violation, and/or removing themselves from gameplay (e.g., parking in a corner of the field without impacting gameplay for other Robots.

Thank you for your time,

"Cowboy" Chris

SG4   SG7  
Answered by committee
  1. Would defensive play be classified as gameplay?

Yes. Defensive play is classifed as gameplay.

  1. If the answer to #1 is yes: Would the robot in possession of four disks be required to avoid all aspects of gameplay, offensive and defensive, until they are either able to remove the extra disk or the match ends?

Yes. As indicated in rule <SG7>, Robots in Violation of this rule must immediately stop all Robot actions except for attempting to remove the excess Disc(s).

  1. What is defined as "Robot Actions"?

In the context of a Spin Up Match, a Robot action is any Robot behavior that occurs during a Match. Blocking an opponent's access to a Roller or Low Goal, either actively or passively, is considered to be a defensive Robot action. Teams are generally responsible for the actions of their Robots at all times during a Match. Rules <G14> and <G3> still apply, however, unless specifically noted by another game rule.

  1. When removing yourself from gameplay, either for having four or more disks or for expanding early, would you be required to activly move away from gameplay?

Teams in Violation of rule <SG7> or <SG4> may be able to prevent an accidental or momentary Violation from becoming a Major Violation and Disqualification by immediately rectifying the situation and/or removing themselves from gameplay. Note that this removal from gameplay is not the same as a Disablement, and Teams are still responsible for the ongoing actions of their Robots as described in the response to #3 above. Teams are not strictly required to actively move away from gameplay in these situations, but as described in these rules, if they fail to do so they will likely receive a Major Violation and Disqualification.