Robo-Cross B

[UQOnyx]

Adding to this, and as said earlier, the functional modification means to change an feature so that it accomplishes something that would without it, be impossible. This isn't an official clarification, just my two cents, but adding treads would not be enough. Treads would be considered a customization, and an addition not a modification. A modification would be for example changing the end effector and using a completely new one instead of the one supplied by the kit. Again, there are a myriad of things that can be changed.

[couragecat]

Thanks for replying. So would adding rubber bands to the claw to help grip objects count as a modification or just a customization?

[jander14indoor]

The "modification" rule is vague because it is VERY hard to determine ahead of time based on verbal or written descriptions. If you look back up the chain you've seen my (unofficial) opinion.
The more obvious/in depth the modification is the less likely you'll be challenged.
If you are challenged, the competitors should be able to explain clearly what the modification is and how it changes the behavior of the system. You might be prepared to go so far as to remove the modification and show how the robot can't do something it could with it.
In the case of what I understand you are suggesting, adding a rubber gripping surface to your claw, show that without it you drop object easily, with it, you don't. Perhaps have that as part of your technical data. Without rubber, can't complete task in 3 minutes, with, you can complete task in 2:30 on avg.

Reminder, take this as opinion/suggestion, I'm not your ES (most likely) and this is NOT the official channel.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[Flavorflav]

Thanks for replying. So would adding rubber bands to the claw to help grip objects count as a modification or just a customization?

I might be your ES. What region are you in?

[jmcdaniel]

I'm looking for a link to the coaches' manual for this build event. Our team got a coaches' handbook but I don't have ready-access to it. I'm supporting two teams as an advisor and fabricator of special parts, and have been involving the kids in every stage of building & fabrication but it is really eating up our available practice time. Is there documentation that explains what we coaches can / can't do to fabricate or modify a robot for the team?

For example, if the team tells me: "we want to take 2 cm off this feature of the robot," do I:
1.) help them to design and make the new component 2cm smaller by advising them through each step and taking over only to use certain dangerous tools then coach them through the disassembly/reassembly process to install the new component.
2.) make the new component for them (as if we ordered it custom-made) then coach them through the disassembly/reassembly process to install the new component.
3.) make the new component for them and install it for them (following their stated direction but doing the disassembly/reassembly for them exactly as they decided).

Like I said, I've been following #1 with these teams and they've learned A LOT from it so I don't regret it at all. I'm just wondering if it's something we can choose to do and put practice time at a higher priority then go back to #1 later.

[Flavorflav]

I'm looking for a link to the coaches' manual for this build event. Our team got a coaches' handbook but I don't have ready-access to it. I'm supporting two teams as an advisor and fabricator of special parts, and have been involving the kids in every stage of building & fabrication but it is really eating up our available practice time. Is there documentation that explains what we coaches can / can't do to fabricate or modify a robot for the team?

For example, if the team tells me: "we want to take 2 cm off this feature of the robot," do I:
1.) help them to design and make the new component 2cm smaller by advising them through each step and taking over only to use certain dangerous tools then coach them through the disassembly/reassembly process to install the new component.
2.) make the new component for them (as if we ordered it custom-made) then coach them through the disassembly/reassembly process to install the new component.
3.) make the new component for them and install it for them (following their stated direction but doing the disassembly/reassembly for them exactly as they decided).

Like I said, I've been following #1 with these teams and they've learned A LOT from it so I don't regret it at all. I'm just wondering if it's something we can choose to do and put practice time at a higher priority then go back to #1 later.

I'm not sure there is an official answer to your question. I do #1 myself, although the definition of what counts as a dangerous tool varies considerably according to my perception of the kid's abilities. I've done #2 rarely, when the circumstances seemed to justify it. #3 seems like it is crossing the line, to me.

[chalker]

I'm looking for a link to the coaches' manual for this build event. Our team got a coaches' handbook but I don't have ready-access to it. I'm supporting two teams as an advisor and fabricator of special parts, and have been involving the kids in every stage of building & fabrication but it is really eating up our available practice time. Is there documentation that explains what we coaches can / can't do to fabricate or modify a robot for the team?.

There isn't a coaches' manual. I assume the 'handbook' you refer to is the event rules. You can easily get another copy, either a physical copy from the soinc.org store, or an electronic copy via the just released iTunes and Android apps (see my sig below).

Other resources of note include:
-the general rules (in the back cover of the rules and also here http://www.soinc.org/ethics_rules )
-the building policy (here: http://www.soinc.org/building_tools_policy )
-the coaches section (http://www.soinc.org/teachers_coaches )

[jmcdaniel]

The link below made it clear that we were already on the right track, we just need to make more time for practice.

http://www.soinc.org/building_tools_policy

Thank you for the help.

[sschaack]

I'm running the event at our Regional competition soon. I have a rules question that I've been assuming is okay, but figured I should run it by you folks first. Is this an okay trick for the competition;
The robot can collect all the objects, hang on to them, and then just drive into Zone D. Done. Right? The rules don't say the objects have to be independent from the robot at the end of the 3:00. By the same token, if the robot was small enough, it could collect all the objects, and then just drive into the milk jug and you'd get all the bonus points for that. Yes?

[jander14indoor]

As usual, all warnings apply, this isn't official better to ask on NSO site for official response, etc...

A reasonably general principal is, "If it isn't forbidden, it is allowed." By that principal, seems a reasonable interpretation.
Safety of course trumps that. If it requires burning down the building to accomplish a task, even though not explicitly forbidden, ES can forbid on spot on safety grounds.
Some use 'spirit of the competition' or 'intent of the rules' to outlaw additional things, something I'm not in favor of.

But again, that's why my comment cannot be official...

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI