Rule Updates
Update #8
Saturday, December 4, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding Additional Materials, may we use ping-pong balls?
- Yes
Update #7
Friday, December 3, 2004
Questons and Answers
- Regarding, 3.6.2 Add'l Materials, can teams use angle aluminum as long as the wall thickness is less than 1/8 of an inch?
- Yes. Since teams would be able to bend aluminum sheets into the same form, it will be allowed. See modified rule 3.6.2.2 below.
- Regarding 2.3.6.3, RTVM, the RTVM multiplies any and all points scored during the match. For both teams or the team whose button is hit?
- Please read Update #1, modified rule number 2.3.6.3.1.
- Regarding 2.5.5, Driver Rotation, are we still required to switch drivers during the matches after all 7 of our drivers have gone?
- Yes, the intention of the rule is that once at least 7 different people per team have driven the robot, teams may choose to continue rotating through various members of their team or choose just two people who will drive all the matches for the rest of the competition.
- Teams must always change drivers in the match during the Driver Switch Period.
Rule Modification
3.6.2.2 Aluminum sheet or angle, up to one-eighth inch thickness
Update #6
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding, Field Diagram, How wide is the autonomous white line? The field diagram says it's 3 in but it doesn't look like three inches.
- Actually, the width of the tape is not dimensioned on the field drawing (the 3" dimension is for the RTVM button). The tape currently on the field is white duct tape, approximately 3/4" in width. The tape will likely be redone prior to the event and we may possibly switch to white electrical tape to create a more even line width. If teams using line tracking have had an issue with either tape, please let us know.
- Regarding, Scheduling, Can we have field practice on Sunday before the competition?
- Yes. We will be sending out and posting on the web the day's schedule in detail very shortly. Basically, teams may begin arriving at 8am. Team inspections and pictures will begin at 8:30am. Formal practice (i.e. running matches) will begin around 9:15am.
- If teams want to just test autonomous mode, they may use jumpers on their controllers and utilize the field space as soon as they arrive provided the staff is completed with all setup and testing. We will not regulate an amount of time per team so we ask that teams are courteous to one another and share the field.
- What do you expect the scores to be like?
- We are unsure how big or small the scores will be. We have run a few matches and you can look at the scores to get an idea.
Update #5
Tuesday, December 1, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, Is it alright if we use a smooth flat metal cabinet knob as a front bearing (in place of a front wheel)? The knob is circular with a 1-inch diameter and 1/4 inch thickness, and only used as a flat surface for the front part of the robot to glide on.
- Yes.
Rule Modification
2.7.12 Teams must have their team name and number clearly marked on their robot such that it is visible from 15ft away. Team numbers are assigned by the staff and are listed on the teams page.
Update #4
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, can you add wire and wire coat hangers to the list of available material?
- Wire coat hangers fall under rule 3.6.2.3 and therefore are allowable already.
- Electrical wire may be used only for electrical applications and teams may use as much as necessary.
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, can teams use springs on their robots?
- Yes, see added rule 3.6.2.17 below.
- 3.6.2.17 Springs or elastic/rubber/latex tubing (must be designed to release energy no faster than it was input)
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, can we use more chain than that provided in the kits?
- Yes, see added rule 3.6.2.18 below.
- 3.6.2.18 Additional chain from the Innovation FIRST kit, no more than 1 foot extra.
Update #3
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, are hinges allowed to be purchased to be used on the robot for parts that are going to be moving?
- Yes, see new rule 3.6.2.16 below.
- 3.6.2.16 Hinges, no more than 15" total
- Regarding 3.6.2.13, Servos, currently, our team doesn't have any servos at all, and may not be getting any for a while, but we do have some extra robovation motors. Is it alright to use 2 IFI robovation motors instead of 2 servos, as noted on the Authorized Materials List?
- No. Since there is a limited rotation to the servos that does not exist with the Robovation motors, we cannot allow one to be substituted for the other. The limit is 4 Robovation kit motors and 2 hobby servos.
- Regarding 3.6, Materials, What are the restrictions on the control system? The control unit from Tower Hobbies has 4 channels and comes with 2 servos. The Robovation kit comes with 4 motors. Is there a way and are we allowed to use these 6 units (4 motors 2 servos) or are we limited to the use of only the 4 motors, or the use of a combination of motors and servos that add up to 4?
- Teams may use up to 4 Robovation motors and up to 2 hobby servos (which come with the controller) for a total of 6 as allotted on the materials list. It is up to the teams to design programs that use the 4 channels of their remote control to run more than four actuators.
- Regarding 3.6.2, Add'l Materials, can we use an aluminum box extrusion with wall thickness no greater than 1/8", but exceeding the 1/2" diameter rule (for tubing, etc.)?
- No.
Add to Rules for clarity:
3.6.1.1 The "Robovation Kit" is defined by the materials listed at http://www.innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobotics/edu-kits.htm in the 2004 "FIRST" kit (part no. EDU-KIT-2004-FIRST)
Field Use
All teams are allowed to use the actual field to test out their robot. A list of available times can be found at http://www.wpi.edu/~savage/Rules/resources.html. To sign up please email us at savagesoccer@wpi.edu with your team number and the days and times you want to sign up for. There are more rules about the field use on that page.
Update #2
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding 2.3.4, Contacting Pieces, it states that opposing robots in contact with the other team's scoring object will not negate points unless in violation of rule 2.3.2. If it is in violation of 2.3.2, which team would the points be deducted from?
- Clarification: First off, points are never "deducted", they are simply tallied at the end of the match. If the tube is in violation of rule 2.3.2, it does not count for anybody!
- The essence of the rule is that a tube must first meet the criteria of rule 2.3.2 to count as scoring. If it does not, then it counts for no team. However, if it is in scoring position for you, and your robot is in contact with the tube, it violates rule 2.3.4 and does not count for you. However, if it is in scoring position for you, and the opposing robot is in contact with the tube, the points will still count for you.
- An example of this situation would be if during the course of driving around the field, a tube got stuck on top of the Blue Team's robot. At the end of the match, the Blue Team's robot is in the Red Team's Scoring Area, as is at least part of the tube that is on top of their robot. If this tube were on the floor, it would count for Red, even if the Blue Robot was in contact with the tube. However, the tube violates rule 2.3.2 because it is not "supported by only the floor of the playing area, the borders of the WSA, and/or other scoring objects considered being in scoring position." It is "supported" by the Blue Robot only and therefore awards no points to either team.
- Regarding 3.1, Size Restriction, the current maximum robot size (12"x12"x12") is smaller than most of the pieces which come with the kit. We'd prefer to cut as few pieces as possible for money-saving reasons. Therefore, could the size of the robot be increased to accommodate this?
- The staff acknowledges that many teams have invested considerable money into their kits and want to be able to maintain them for use in future years. Therefore, see updated rule 3.1 below.
- 3.1 Size Restriction
3.1.1 At the start of each match, every part of the robot must fit, unconstrained, in a stable position, within a box 12" long x 15" wide x 15" tall. The robot must be fully self-supported, in contact only with the horizontal, carpeted (or taped) surface of the playing field when started. - Regarding the Field Drawing, to better accomodate us in our autonomous mode could you be more specific on the location of the button?
- The button is 40" from the inside wall and centered 3" off the ground. The button itself is 3" in diameter.
- Regarding 2.5.4, if a team doesn't have seven members total do they still have to forfeit some of their driving time during the tournament?
- Yes. However, there is not upper limit on the number of participants/drivers and teams are free to add to their rosters even though the build period has begun. Teams are welcome to ask anyone to participate, provided they are high school students or younger. We encourage teams to involve as many students as possible!
Additions
We add this disclaimer to the beginning of the rules:
The Savage Soccer Rules Staff reserves the right to modify, update, or clarify any rules up until the day of any competition.
Update #1
Saturday, November 6, 2004
Questions and Answers
- Regarding 2.3.6.2, Über-tuber, Does this multiply blue tubes standing up in a red area?
- See updated rule 2.3.6.2 below.
- 2.3.6.2. The point value for any objects in the same scoring area (FSA or WSA) as the über-tuber will be doubled for the owner of that scoring area. The über-tuber also counts as a regular tube for scoring purposes.
- Regarding 2.3.6.3, The RTVM, what about the "only one team gets it" thing?
- See updated rule 2.3.6.3.1 below
- 2.3.6.3.1 Once one of the buttons is hit, it locks in a multiplier for the team whose button is hit and disables both buttons for the rest of autonomous, meaning only one team may receive the RTVM multiplier. It does not matter which team hits the button.
- Regarding Rule 2.6, Match Sequence, can the second driver begin driving during the "driver switch period" or must he of she wait until the second driver period?
- See rule 2.5.1. Clarification: "There will be a ten second period during which the drivers must complete the switch..." During that ten second period, either driver can be driving, however when the bell rings indicating the end of the ten second switch period, the second driver MUST be in full control of driving. If not, disqualification will occur.
- Regarding 2.7.10, "Entanglement"--does that mean you can't catch the other robot in a net, provided the net remains attached to your robot?
- See rule 2.7.1.2 on the Definition of Pinning.
- Regarding 3.1, Size Restriction, how big IS that?
- We didn't say this would be easy... but I guess we can make it easier. Doing a little research never hurt anyone...
Add to Rules for clarity:
2.7.1.3 Entanglement: (en·tan·gle tr.v. en·tan·gled, en·tan·gling, en·tan·gles) To twist together or entwine into a confusing mass; snarl.
Maintained by savage@wpi.eduLast modified: Sep 26, 2005, 23:03 EDT