What happens if a robot bumps into another robot during coding at a competition?
@Tina_Dietrich
Hi Joyce!
In the VEX IQ Robotics Competition only one robot is on the Field at a time during the Autonomous Coding Skills, so luckily you don’t have to worry about robots bumping on one another.
In classroom competitions, it should also be only one robot on the Field at a time so that should minimize this issue.
Was there a specific situation that happened that you need guidance on?
Alaina
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I thought so, but a student asked me that question and I wanted to provide the correct answer being a new coach. No, there was not a situation. Thank you!
I would like to clarify my question. During an alliance match there will be 2 robots on the game field at one time. Both teams will first be running their code at the same time and then driving at the same time. Correct? If so, what would happen if 2 robots would happen to bump into each other?
Joyce
In the VEX IQ Robotics Competitions, there are two ways that you will play.
First is Teamwork Challenge where two robots will be on the field at the same time working together. Often robots will bump into each other but in most cases, the robot is completely driver operated, not autonomous.
The other way you will play is Robot Skills Challenges where your team’s robot will be on the field on it’s own, so no other robot to bump into.
There are two Skills Challenges: Driver Skills using the remote control and Autonomous Coding Skills where the controller is not permitted and the robot is entirely coded.
So to answer your question, robots often bump into each other in Teamwork Challenge. The key here is to coach your teams to take time to practice with their alliance partners prior to the match. In this time, they can form a strategy where each team knows what they will be scoring. By working closely as a team, the alliance will avoid collisions and will be able to maximise their score.
When you get to a tournament, get your team to look at their match schedule and highlight every match that they are in. Then go find each team that they will alliance with to discuss strategy and arrange a time to have a practice together on the practice fields.
There is no penalty for collisions - the idea of the game is to collaborate and work together.
I’d also recommend reading rule which explains what can be done if the robots become damaged or entangled during a match.
Thank for your the clarification and additional information. I wasn’t sure how my teams would get the information for their alliance matches the day of competition. It is helpful to know that teams will have time to collaborate with their alliance team and not just right before their match.
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