Overview:
LogoMotion is played by two competing alliances on a flat 27’ x 54’ foot field. Each alliance consists of three robots each. They compete to hang as many inflated plastic shapes (triangles, circles, and squares) on their grids as they can during a 2 minute and 15 second match. The higher the teams hang their game pieces on their scoring grid, the more points their alliance receives.
The match begins with one 15-second Autonomous Period in which robots operate independently of driver inputs and must hang Ubertubes to score extra points. For the rest of the match, drivers control robots and try to maximize their alliance score by hanging as many logo pieces as possible. Any logo piece hung on the same peg as an Ubertube receives double points. If teams assemble the logo pieces on their scoring grids to form the FIRST logo (triangle, circle, square, in a horizontal row in that order), the points for the entire row are doubled.
The match ends with robots deploying minibots which are small electro-mechanical assemblies that are independent of the host robot, onto vertical poles. The minibots race to the top of the pole to trigger a sensor and earn additional bonus points.
ALLIANCE – a set of three FRC TEAMS that work together during a MATCH to play LogoMotion against an opposing ALLIANCE. ALLIANCES are identified during the MATCH by their assigned color, either red or blue.
ALLIANCE CAPTAIN – the TEAM representative for each ALLIANCE lead.
ALLIANCE STATIONS – the areas located at either end of the ARENA, behind the ALLIANCE WALLS; they extend back eight feet from the ALLIANCE WALL, and across the 18-foot wide center section of the wall; include three identical PLAYER STATIONS each.
ALLIANCE WALL – a 6-1/2 feet high, 27 feet wide, wall that defines the ends of the FIELD.
ANALYST – a HUMAN PLAYER that assists the COACHES with strategy. There is one ANALYST per ALLIANCE.
ARENA - all elements of the game infrastructure that are required to play LogoMotion: the FIELD, the ALLIANCE STATIONS, the GAME PIECES, and all supporting communications, arena control, and scorekeeping equipment.
AUTONOMOUS PERIOD – DRIVER control of the ROBOT is not permitted at this time. During this period, the ROBOTS may react only to sensor inputs and commands programmed into the onboard control system. All ROBOT safety rules are still applicable during the AUTONOMOUS PERIOD.
AUTONOMOUS SCORE – the sum of points determined by the positions of the three ALLIANCE UBERTUBES at the conclusion of the AUTONOMOUS PERIOD.
BACKUP TEAM – one of the 8 highest seeded TEAMS remaining after ALLIANCE pairing that are available to play, should a HOSTBOT need replacing during the Elimination MATCHES.
BASE – a cylindrical section approximately 30 inches in diameter by 12 inches tall at the bottom of the TOWER. The BASE is considered part of the TOWER.
BUILD SEASON - the period between the Kick-off and the shipment deadline.
BUMPER – an assembly designed to attach to the exterior of the HOSTBOT and constructed as specified in Section 3.4.2, Bumper Rules.
BUMPER PERIMETER – the polygon defined by the outer-most set of exterior vertices of the BUMPERS when they are attached to the HOSTBOT. (To identify the BUMPER PERIMETER, wrap a string around the BUMPERS at the level of the BUMPER ZONE - the string describes the polygon.)
BUMPER ZONE – the volume contained between two virtual horizontal planes, one inch above the floor and seven inches above the floor.
CAUTION LINE – a 2-inch wide yellow line 4 feet in front of the ZONE that can be used as a field reference point for TEAMS.
CIRCLE – a white round inflated tube.
GAME PIECE – any one of the four plastic inflated objects used to score in LogoMotion.
COACH – a student or adult mentor identified as the person wearing the designated "COACH" pin or button during a MATCH. There is one COACH per TEAM.
BUMPERS are for absorbing shock and preventing damage from bumping. They are excluded from the weight and volume calculations specified in Rule .
COMPONENT – a ROBOT part in its most basic configuration, which can not be disassembled without damaging or destroying the part, or altering its fundamental function.
COTS – a “Commercial, Off-The-Shelf” COMPONENT or MECHANISM, in its unaltered, unmodified state. A COTS item must be a standard (i.e. not custom order) part commonly available from the VENDOR, available from a non-team source, and available to all teams for purchase.
DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)
DEPLOYMENT LINE – located on the POST, approximately 18 inches above the top surface of the BASE.
DRIVER – a pre-college student team member responsible for operating and controlling the HOSTBOT. There are two DRIVERS per TEAM.
END GAME – the final 10 seconds of a MATCH.
FABRICATED ITEM – any COMPONENT or MECHANISM that has been altered, built, cast, constructed, concocted, created, cut, heat treated, machined, manufactured, modified, painted, produced, surface coated, or conjured partially or completely into the final form in which it will be used on the ROBOT.
FEEDER – a HUMAN PLAYER that feeds LOGO PIECES to ROBOTS. There are two FEEDERS per ALLIANCE.
FEEDER STATION – the area used to confine the FEEDER. The ALLIANCE’S two FEEDER STATIONS are located on either side of the opponent’s ALLIANCE STATION.
FEEDING SLOT – openings in the ALLIANCE WALL that can be used by the FEEDER to pass LOGO PIECES to a ROBOT and enter them into play.
FIELD – the 27-foot by 54-foot carpeted playing area, bounded by two ALLIANCE WALLS and a Guardrail System.
FRAME PERIMETER – the polygon defined by the outer-most set of exterior vertices on the HOSTBOT (without the BUMPERS attached) that are within the BUMPER ZONE.
GAME PIECES – the TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, SQUARE and UBERTUBE.
HANGING – a GAME PIECE is HANGING when it is fully supported by a PEG and released by the POSSESSING ROBOT. Once a GAME PIECE has been released by the POSSESSING ROBOT (even momentarily) and is HANGING (e.g. it is fully supported by the PEG), it is considered to be HANGING until the end of the match. If a GAME PIECE on the floor is preventing a GAME PIECE that has been hung on a bottom PEG from becoming fully supported (that is, if the floor GAME PIECE was not there, the hung GAME PIECE would be scored) then that GAME PIECE will still be counted as scored.
HERDING – controlling the movement of a GAME PIECE. A GAME PIECE shall be considered HERDED if it is in contact with the floor and, as the ROBOT moves in the direction of the GAME PIECE, the GAME PIECE is pushed in the same direction in a controlled manner, but does not remain in the position relative to the ROBOT if the ROBOT changes direction or orientation.
HOSTBOT – the electromechanical assembly used to carry the MINIBOT. (ROBOT – MINIBOT = HOSTBOT). If a TEAM plays a MATCH without a MINIBOT, then the HOSTBOT is the ROBOT.
HUMAN PLAYER – a pre-college student team member that fills one of the ALLIANCE roles of FEEDER or ANALYST. There is one HUMAN PLAYER per TEAM.
KIT OF PARTS (KOP) – the collection of items listed in the 2011 Kit of Parts Checklist provided on the FIRST website at http://www.usfirst.org/frc/competitionmanual.
LANE – a 4-foot, 3-inch wide area that extends for approximately 19-1/2 feet from each FEEDING SLOT toward the center of the FIELD.
LOGO – a series of LOGO PIECES on the same row of a single SCORING GRID in the order of TRIANGLE-CIRCLE-SQUARE when read from left to right on a single row while looking at a SCORING GRID from the FIELD.
LOGO BONUS – the added points granted to an ALLIANCE for creating a LOGO
LOGO PIECES – the TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, and SQUARE.
MATCH – a single iteration of play in which ALLIANCES attempt to complete the objectives of the LogoMotion game during a competition.
MATCH SCORE – the total number of points earned by an ALLIANCE during a MATCH less any PENALTIES.
MECHANISM – a COTS or custom assembly of COMPONENTS that provide specific functionality on the ROBOT. A MECHANISM can be disassembled (and then reassembled) into individual COMPONENTS without damage to the parts.
MINIBOT – an autonomous vehicle designed and built to perform specific tasks when competing in the 2011 competition LogoMotion. The MINIBOT must obviously follow a design approach intended to play the 2011 FRC END GAME and must be compliant with all MINIBOT rules
MINIBOT RACE – a competition in which MINIBOTS are DEPLOYED, climb the TOWER, and TRIGGER the TARGET. The MINIBOT RACE begins at the start of the END GAME.
OPERATOR CONSOLE – the collection of the hardware used to run the Driver Station software and any associated equipment, control interfaces, display systems, structure, decorations, etc. used by the DRIVERS to operate the ROBOT.
PEG SCORE – the sum of points determined by the position of GAME PIECES on the ALLIANCE’S SCORING GRIDS.
PENALTY – a 3-point decrement in the ALLIANCE score assigned when deserving violation of the game rules has been identified by a Referee.
PLAYER STATION – positions behind the ALLIANCE WALL where each TEAM sets up their OPERATOR CONSOLE
PLAYING CONFIGURATION – one of any of an infinite number of postures a ROBOT may take once the MATCH has begun.
POSSESSION – controlling the position and movement of a GAME PIECE. A GAME PIECE shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the GAME PIECE remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT.
POST – a 1.75-inch diameter (O.D.) steel pipe that extends upward from the BASE. The POST is considered part of the TOWER.
RACE SCORE – the points assigned to an ALLIANCE based on their finish in the MINIBOT RACE.
RED CARD – an indication of disqualification of a TEAM.
REPLACEMENT PARTS – a COMPONENT or MECHANISM constructed as a functional duplicate of an existing part of the ROBOT, for the purpose of replacing a broken or defective part.
REPLACEMENT PARTS may be either COTS items or FABRICATED ITEMS. They must be functionally identical to the original part but can be modified to provide more robust performance of the function.
ROBOT – the composite electromechanical assembly designed and built by a FRC team to perform specific tasks when competing in the 2011 competition LogoMotion. The ROBOT must include all the basic systems required to be an active participant in the game – power, communications, control, mobility, and actuation. The ROBOT implementation must obviously follow a design approach intended to play the 2011 FRC game (e.g. a box of unassembled parts placed on the FIELD, or a ROBOT designed to play a different game, would not satisfy this definition). The ROBOT includes both the HOSTBOT and the MINIBOT (ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT).
SCORING GRID (GRID) – used to receive GAME PIECES placed by the ROBOTS as they play LogoMotion. There are four SCORING GRIDS on the FIELD, two located immediately in front of each ALLIANCE STATION and attached to the ALLIANCE WALL
SCORING PEG (PEG) – one of nine round, horizontal pieces on each SCORING GRID. Each PEG can hold up to two GAME PIECES.
SPARE PARTS – a COMPONENT or MECHANISM constructed as an identical duplicate of an existing part of the ROBOT, for the purpose of replacing a broken or defective part. SPARE PARTS may be either COTS items or FABRICATED ITEMS, but they must be physically and functionally identical to the original part.
SQUARE – a blue quadrangular inflatable GAME PIECE.
STARTING LINE – the line marked on the floor four feet back from the ALLIANCE WALL, and extends across the width of the ALLIANCE STATION.
STARTING CONFIGURATION – the physical configuration and orientation of the ROBOT when the MATCH is started. This is the state of the ROBOT immediately before being enabled by the Field Management System, before the ROBOT takes any actions, deploys any mechanisms, or moves away from the starting location. This configuration is static, and does not change during a single MATCH (although it may change from MATCH to MATCH).
SURROGATE – a TEAM randomly selected by the Field Management System (FMS) to play an extra Qualification MATCH. A SURROGATE receives no Qualification, Ranking, or Coopertition points for the extra MATCH.
TARGET – part of the TOWER, attached to the top of the POST. The TARGET is the “finish line” that indicates the MINIBOT has reached the top of the POST.
TEAM – four representatives from an FRC team that interact with their ROBOT and ALLIANCE partners to play LogoMotion. Positions on the TEAM are COACH, DRIVER and HUMAN PLAYER.
TELEOPERATED PERIOD – at the beginning of the TELEOPERATED PERIOD the OPERATOR CONSOLE controls are activated and DRIVERS may remotely control their HOSTBOTS. The DRIVERS continue to teleoperate their HOSTBOTS for the remainder of the MATCH. The TELEOPERATED PERIOD ends when the arena timer displays zero seconds. This also indicates the end of the MATCH.
TIMEOUT – a period of up to 6 minutes, which teams can use to pause Elimination Match progression. Each ALLIANCE is granted one, and only one, TIMEOUT.
TOWER – an assembly composed of a BASE, POST, and TARGET.
TRACKING LINE – lines on the FIELD that may be used to guide ROBOTS toward SCORING GRIDS.
TRIANGLE – a red three-cornered inflatable GAME PIECE.
TRIGGERED – the act of pushing the bottom disk of the TARGET so that the sensors are tripped and a signal is sent to the Field Management System (FMS). When a TARGET is TRIGGERED, the MINIBOT RACE on that TOWER is complete.
UBERTUBE – the yellow GAME PIECE used to score during the AUTONOMOUS PERIOD.
UPGRADE PARTS - a COMPONENT or MECHANISM intended to provide additional functionality not currently available on the ROBOT. UPGRADE PARTS may be COTS items or custom FABRICATED ITEMS, and may either add to or replace existing functionality.
VENDOR – a legitimate business source for COTS items that satisfies all of the following criteria:
VISION TARGET – retro-reflective targets that may be used by ROBOTS to locate SCORING PEGS. The VISION TARGET is Reflexite Corporation part number GP010.
WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE – a limited amount of FABRICATED ITEMS that are withheld from the shipping requirements (specified in the 2011 FRC Administrative Manual, Section 5) and retained by the team following the shipping deadlines. These items are then hand-carried to a competition event by the team. The OPERATOR CONSOLE is automatically included in the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE. Beyond that, the incoming material maximums specified in Rule limits the amount of
FABRICATED ITEMS included in the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE.
YELLOW CARD – a warning of egregious ROBOT or FRC team member behavior.
ZONE – an area approximately 18 feet wide and 7 feet deep located immediately in front of the ALLIANCE WALL. The boundaries are marked with tape that matches the color of the ALLIANCE stationed directly behind the adjacent ALLIANCE WALL.