Submerge into the Competition Resources
September 11, 2024
Kickoff is now less than 2 months away, it will be time to Dive into REEFSCAPESM presented by Haas before you know it. That means we’re wrapping up our work on the Game Manual and wanted to share some more info on changes to some rules to add to what we’ve previously shared about Bumpers and 2025 Legal Devices. While we’ve pulled out a few of the larger changes here that we think may affect teams’ purchasing and planning prior to Kickoff, make sure to read the Game Manual for final wording and to see what other rules may have been changed.
Work Prior to Kickoff
The largest change we are making is re-imagining R302, regarding what work may be done before Kickoff. The rule in its current form has served us well for a long time, but in today’s program with the availability of COTS parts, the prevalence of 3D printing, and more, it was time to revisit it. The new R302 will only prohibit “MAJOR MECHANISMS” created prior to Kickoff. This should allow teams to reduce waste by re-using everything from bumper brackets to custom circuit boards to whole swerve modules, rather than needing to reproduce parts that they already have. We encourage teams to find ways to use this new flexibility to optimize their resources while maintaining the student experience of designing and constructing a new robot each season.
Bumpers
While you’ll have to wait for Kickoff for the full details of the reworked Bumper section of the manual, we did want to supplement what we shared previously to include some more information about the changes to requirements for the “backer”. Previous bumper rules required the “backer” material to be plywood or solid wood, nominally ¾ in. thick with additional restrictions on things like what holes could be put in the wood. The new bumper rules remove most of these restrictions and require only that the backing be at least 4.5 in. tall, support the entire height of the foam padding, and “facilitates installation and removal of the BUMPER from the ROBOT”. There are no stiffness, thickness, or material requirements.
Updated Device Requirements
In addition to the changes to the list of specific allowed devices we shared previously, there are a few changes to more general categories of legal devices we wanted to share as well:
- R501 – The servo requirements have been updated to match the current FIRST Tech Challenge servo requirements. Standardizing this rule across programs is better for vendors and participants which may support teams in both programs. The new rule permits PWM COTS rotational servos with stall current ≤ 4A and mechanical output power ≤ 8W at 6V and PWM COTS linear servos with max stall current ≤ 1A at 6V. This calculator can help calculate power from units commonly found in servo specifications.
- R501 – The power restriction on electrical solenoid actuators and electro-magnets has been loosened to allow any device in that category downstream of a 20A or less circuit breaker.
- R602 – The allowance for USB battery packs has been updated to match FIRST Tech Challenge. The new rule permits “COTS USB battery packs with a capacity of 100Wh or less (27000mAh at 3.7V) with 5V/5A max output or 12V/5A max output using USB-PD per port”
- R614 – This rule has been updated to allow COTS Power-over-Ethernet injectors (i.e. 802.3af, at, or bt devices) when used with COTS receiving devices (i.e. not breakout or adapters).
- R707 – This rule has been updated to allow COTS RFID or NFC systems which communicate exclusively within the robot.
Event Rule Update
We also wanted to share an update on a new event rule that is being added as it may change purchasing decisions pre-Kickoff. For safety reasons, teams may only bring COTS batteries to events, custom batteries assembled from individual cells are now prohibited.