Q&A

RULE Appendix B pg iii RSC 1 Robots may start the Robot Skills Match per SG 1 in either Home Zone with the Drive Team Members standing in the Alliance Station that corresponds with that Home Zone

DEFINITION Appendix A pg 8 Home Zone - One of two (2) areas, one (1) for each Alliance, where Robots start the match and defines the location of the Alliance Home Row. The Home Zones are defined by the inner edges of the field perimeter and the outer edge of the tape line that runs across the field adjacent to the Alliance Stations, i.e. the tape line is part of the Home Zone. The Alliance Home Zone is closest to their Alliance Stations The Home Zone refers to the foam field tiles; it is not a 3-dimensional volume

Question - confirm assumptions below

= assumption 1 - robot may not be contacting the gray foam field tiles outside of the Alliances Home Zone?

= assumption 2 - robot may not be contacting the gray foam field tiles on other side of 2nd white line in an adjacent area of Alliances Home Zone?

= assumption 3 - maybe same question, robot may not be contacting the gray foam field tiles, essentially straddling both areas in home zone, even if the robot is not not contacting the gray foam field tiles outside of the Alliances Home Zone?

According to <SG1.a> it states:

<SG1> Starting a Match. Prior to the start of each Match, the Robot must be placed such that it is: a. Contacting the field perimeter wall on the side that coincides with their Alliance’s Goal Zone and Alliance Station.

My question is which of the following 2 interpretations is correct:

1. The robot may be placed anywhere along the field perimeter that is parallel to the Alliance Station as long as it satisfies all other <SG1> requirements.

2. The robot is required to be placed withing the bounds of the Alliance Station. This interpretation is due to the use of the word coincides, which according to the oxford dictionary means to meet; to share the same place. Oxford Dictionary: coincides

   Also, if you examine the given example in “Figure 18: Four examples of Robots in valid starting positions” on page 20 of the Game Manual, it’s obvious that all four robots are within the bounds of the Alliance Station.

When robots are in start position, I know they have to be touching the side of the arena. How much has to be touching? Can one screw that is sticking out from the robot be all that is touching?

Rule SG1 Section E states that at the beginning of a match a robot must be “Contacting a Preload. 1. The Preload must be contacting exactly one (1) Robot. 2. The Preload must be fully within the field perimeter.” Recently at an event, a team had brought up that the way this rule is written, it would allow teams to place their preload inside of a goal zone so long as the robot is contacting the cube and not contacting the goal zone as defined as “ the inner edges of the Barriers and the field perimeter” or the barrier (both of which as per SG1 section f).

The only rule that we see that may contradict this is G12 section d which states “Game elements in possession of a Robot are an extension of that Robot.” Because possession is not defined in the current game manual, without looking back at the Turning Point or In the Zone game manuals (which as it is known, previous rules do not apply to current game rules), it is difficult to properly rule whether the cube is in possession. This is question number 1 and 2: Is there anything that we are missing when coming to the conclusion of the starting position mentioned above, and can you define possession?

Now, once you define possession, if a cube is considered in possession of a robot, while the robot is in its starting position and if this cube is contacting either the barrier or the goal zone; would this be in violation of SG1 as per G12 “Game elements in possession of a robot are an extension of that robot,” because technically the robot through the extension of the cube is contacting the barrier/ goal zone? Would we also be correct to assume that this same violation would apply if the cube in possession of the robot were contacting any other items covered by SG1 (such as another cube or Tower) then this would be a violation due to G12? Thank you.

<SG1> Starting a Match. Prior to the start of each Match, the Robot must be placed such that it is: a. Contacting the field perimeter wall on the side that coincides with their Alliance's Goal Zone and Alliance Station.

Does "on the side that coincides" refer to the 12ft of field perimeter directly next to the Alliance station? or does "SIDE" refer to the entire half of the field on that Alliance's side of the field?

The first interpretation give a little less than 12ft of perimeter wall to start on.

If its the later interpretation, FIELD side, that gives an additional length of wall to start on (extending towards the center autonomous line on each end of the field).

Hello, I would like to request clarification on rule <SG1>, specifically clauses b.i and b.ii, regarding Robot starting positions.

The current Game Manual states: "b. Positioned within one of the starting positions shown in Figure SG-1. [...] i. For Teamwork Challenge Matches, the Team listed as Team 1 (printed Match list), listed as red Team (events.vex.com), or listed first (VEXvia) must place their Robot in the starting position that shares a wall with the blue Pyramid Goal. ii. For Teamwork Challenge Matches, the Team listed as Team 2 (printed Match list), listed as blue Team (events.vex.com), or listed second (VEXvia) must place their Robot in the starting position that shares a wall with the red Pyramid Goal."

According to the text, Team 1 (Red) must start next to the Blue Pyramid Goal, and Team 2 (Blue) must start next to the Red Pyramid Goal.

However, in the official game reveal video and at early season events (such as recent regional competitions in China), the starting positions are set up as the exact opposite of what is described in the manual.

Because the starting positions drastically impact autonomous routing and early-match strategy, could you please clarify which setup is officially correct?

In Figure SG-1, here is a yellow highlighted box for each team to show the start position, does the robot need to in this yellow box totally, or it can break this box as long as it meets size limit?

The Glossary defines a Quadrant as one of four designated triangular areas of the Field. Each Quadrant is described as red or blue based on the Alliance-colored Goal it includes.

However, the VEX Tournament Manager labels the four Quadrants as “Red Quadrant 1”, “Red Quadrant 2”, “Blue Quadrant 1”, and “Blue Quadrant 2”.

Could the GDC please clarify:

Which specific Quadrant corresponds to each label in the scoring app (e.g., is Red Quadrant 1 the one closest to the red Alliance Station, etc.)? Will these labels be used consistently across all official scoring systems and event materials?

This clarification would help Teams, referees, and scorekeepers ensure consistent communication during events.

In rule SG1 it states "b. Contacting a foam field tile." does this mean exactly one tile or can a robot straddle 2 tiles?

Point b of <SG1> states that a Robot must begin the Match:

Positioned within one of the starting positions shown in Figure SG-1.

There appears to be no other rules defining the starting position of a Robot (other than the subpoints of b defining which starting location belongs to which Robot). Figure SG-1 displays two yellow boxes on the Field indicating the starting positions of the Robots. However, these yellow boxes are approximately 18" long, while point a of <SG1> states that a Robot may begin the Match up to 20" long. Additionally, the caption of Figure SG-1 states that the Robots in the figure are shown in legal starting positions, However, the Robots shown in the Figure are extending outside of the yellow boxes.

Could the GDC please clarify the following questions regarding the starting position of a Robot:

1. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match extending over the top of the Field Perimeter?
2. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match extending outside of the Field?
3. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match contacting the top of the Field Perimeter?
4. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match extending outside of the yellow box into the rest of the Field (i.e. over the sides of the yellow box bordered by the black lines)?
5. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match contacting the Floor outside of the yellow box?
6. Is it legal for a Robot to begin the Match contacting Field Elements (other than the Floor and Field Perimeter), and/or other Scoring Objects than its Preload?

We have built a double park mechanism that is a cage that holds a block. It follows the rule of SG1 and SG5. We are concerned about R7. We use one screw to tighten the c channel into a stand off to keep the block in the robot. We would need to unscrew it to get it out. R7 states easy removal and without power. Would unscrewing one screw to remove the block be considered easy removal?

<SG1>

In the recent manual update, SG1(f) was changed to state that a robot’s starting position must be “At least partially within the vertical projection of its Alliance-colored Park Zone,” a change from requiring contact with the park zone barriers.

Does “within the vertical projection” still include merely contacting the park zone barrier? If mere contact with the park zone barrier is not sufficient, there can be some close calls where it is hard to determine whether the robot is actually breaking the plane of the park zone (and therefore whether it is “within the vertical projection” if contact alone is not enough). This photo is one example – in this case the wheel and the corner of the drive base c-channel was determined to be just hanging over the outside edge of the park zone and therefore “within the vertical projection” requirement. It's a much simpler call if contact alone is sufficient.

Your clarification of this is appreciated, thanks!

I haven't seen it yet this season, but would like a pre-emptive clarification - are robots expected to be inspected with or without a preload pin? If without, can a preload pin legally extend beyond the starting dimensions 11x20x15"? For example, part of the pin sticking above 15" or outside of the 11x20 dimensions?

<SG1> and point a) state:

Prior to the start of each Match, the Robot must be placed such that it meets all of the following critera: a. No larger than 18" (457.2mm) long by 18" (457.2mm) wide by 18" (457.2mm) tall.

<SG5> states that each Robot gets one Block as a Preload.

Suppose a Team arrives at a Match with a Robot that fits within the 18" x 18" x 18" starting size, but then in the process of placing the Preload Block in their Robot, a mechanism on the robot expands outside the stated starting size of 18" x 18" x 18". Should the Head Referee begin the Match with the Robot in this configuration since it came to the field within the legal starting size but only expanded due to the Preload, or should the Team be asked to adjust the Preload so that it causes the Robot to get back inside the 18" x 18" x 18" box before starting the Match?

Thank you for your time!

<RSC3><RSC3>, "the Robot and Field are set up the same as for a Head-to-Head Match (e.g., the Robot must meet the requirement of <SG1><SG1>)" <RSC3><RSC3>

b. "The robot must start the Robot Skills Match in a legal starting position for the red Alliance."

Just wanted to clarify that teams are to be in legal starting position, based on requirements of SG1, the height and width of the robot should be measured from the field tiles while starting the Skills Match. If propped up on a preload or the parking barrier, it needs to be in legal starting position (18"x18"x18") as placed before beginning of the skills match.

1. For example, a robot is placed on top of a preload or on top of the barrier and placed so it is inside the Parking Zone. The robot must be in legal starting position (18"x18"x18") from the tiles to the top of the robot, and would include the preload or barrier underneath the robot?

2. Also, are there any limits on robots starting a skills match upside down or placed on its side?

Thank you!

In <RSC5> states that "Upon handling the Robot, it must be immediately brought back to a legal starting position", is this "legal starting position" share the same definition as <SG1> which said For Teamwork Challenge Matches, the Team listed as Team 1 (printed Match list) or Red Team(RobotEvents.com) must place their Robot in contact with the red Triangle Goal.

The reason ask about this is in previous years, after starting the match driver can handle Robot and put any way as long as contacting the wall, for young teams they often use this as a strategy， implemented through segments.

<SG1><RSC1>

Is it possible to start autonomous mode with a pin over the red triangular goal with the robot in contact as shown.

Thank you

<RSC3><SG1>[<FO>] (https://www.vexrobotics.com/mix-and-match-manual#fieldover)

When setting up the pins for either teamwork or skills matches, must each pin be horizontally rotated exactly like the game manual images show? In other words, do the pin notches have to all be aligned with the black lines on the field floor, or is the rotation of the pins irrelevant?

I haven't seen any robots yet that rely on the pin notches to be oriented in a particular way, but it is conceivable that some teams' autonomous code might expect the pin notches to be oriented a particular way.

Another consequence of this requirement is that field resets take additional time to make sure all pins are rotated correctly.

According to rule <SG1> in the VIQRC Mix and Match Game Manual, a Robot must begin the Match in contact with the red Triangle Goal structure. However, the rule does not explicitly mention whether the Robot’s vertical projection (as viewed from above) must be completely within the Field Perimeter at the start of a Match.

To clarify:

Is it legal for any part of the Robot’s projection (such as an arm or intake structure) to extend outside the inner edge of the Field Perimeter before the Match begins, as long as the Robot is touching the red Triangle Goal?

Or must the entire Robot, including its vertical projection, be fully contained within the boundaries of the Field Perimeter when the Match starts?

Thank you for your clarification.

In Q&A 2721 - The clarification to SG1 states "The VEXIQ pieces that support the PVC pipe are part of the Triangle Goal's structure" and SG1 clause C states "Contacting the structure of one of the two Triangle Goals" as a legal pre-match starting position. Does the contact between the robot and the Triangle Goal structure have to be "as shown" in the field image below the SG1 rule statement and supporting clauses, or can any part of a robot be touching the structure of one of the triangle goal corresponding to the assigned Team 1 or 2 color? For example, can a corner of the robot touch triangle structure rather than a full side, such as the rear of the robot shown in the image on page 37 of the game manual? We are asking because an event we attended required us to start in the same position as shown in thge image on page 37. However, in the past, if a rule did not state as such, it was acceptable to orient the robot in a different way, as long as some part of the robot was touching the required structure or field wall. Our assumption is that any clarification would apply to match and skills starting positions.