Q&A Oficial: VEX U Robotics Competition 2026-2027: Override

<VUG7> states “Load Zone protections (see rule <SG13>) apply during both the Autonomous Period and Driver Controlled Period of the Match <SG13a> states “A Robot is protected while it is at least partially within one of its Alliance Load Zones. Robots may not directly or indirectly contact a protected opposing Alliance Robot.” Also, <SG7> states “During the Autonomous Period, Robots may not contact foam tiles, Scoring Objects, or Field Elements which are on the opposing Alliance’s side of the Autonomous Line.” However, the load zone is very small in comparison to the robots’ starting size, the smallest being 15” (see picture below) and therefore grabbing pins and cups from the load zone during autonomous would result in briefly crossing the autonomous line.

(140.41-138.83=1.58)

Does <SG13a> take precedence and therefore robots can go to the load zones (and cross the central autonomous line) without penalties or violations as long as part of the robot is within the load zone? This could ultimately lead to robot-on-robot interactions with the opposing team, even if they are fully within their autonomous zone. Or does <SG7> take precedence and therefore robots cannot go into the load zones because it would mean crossing the autonomous line and penalties or violations would be given, even if the team is in contact with the load zone?