Hello @Alex98
Thank you for publishing the 2027 RCJ Rescue Line Draft Rules.
I have listed below the points in the rules that I found unclear or had questions about while reading them. I would appreciate it if you could take another look at them.
(A)
3.2.2. making it difficult to get back on a tile where the robot comes off the course.
I think it would be better to say “making it difficult to get back on the course” rather than “making it difficult to get back on a tile.”
(B)
3.3.1. The grid lines indicated in the drawings below
Does “in the drawings below” refer to the drawings below Rule 3.3.5? I don’t think the grid lines are shown in these drawings.
Could you please clarify what “The grid lines indicated in the drawings below” refers to?
(C)
3.3.4. The line will be at least 10 cm away from any edge of the field, walls, pillars to support ramps, seesaws, and obstacles that do not lie ahead of the robot’s path.
Does “edge of the field” also include the edges of the floors on the second and third levels? It is not clear whether these are included or not. I would appreciate it if this could be clarified explicitly in the rules.
(D)
3.4.5. The field designers will predetermine the number of checkpoint markers and their locations.
I think what the field designers determine is not the number of checkpoint markers, but the number of checkpoints. Could this wording have remained from the old rules without being reviewed?
(E)
3.6.4. A dead end is when there are two green marks before an intersection
Only here, it says “green mark.” Should it be “green marker” instead?
(F)
3.5.8. In the evacuation zone, obstacles may be placed anywhere with a minimum of 10 cm clearance from the wall. Obstacles in the evacuation zone are not scored.
3.9.6. In the evacuation zone, organizers may put the obstacle anywhere with a minimum of 10 cm clearance from the wall. Obstacles in the evacuation zone are not scored.
The same thing is stated in Rules 3.5.8 and 3.9.6. Since they overlap, I think one of them is unnecessary.
(G)
4.2.6. When batteries are transported, moved, or charged, it is strongly recommended that safety bags be used.
I think this section is intended to describe lithium-based batteries. If participants bring ordinary batteries, I don’t think a safety bag or similar container is necessary.
(H)
4.2.7. Robots must be equipped with a handle that is to be used to pick them up during the scoring run.
I agree that attaching a handle to the robot is important. However, the rules do not specify anything about the requirements or specifications of the handle. I would appreciate it if the required functions and specifications of the handle could be described in the rules.
(I)
4.4.5. participate in videotaped interviews for research purposes.
Is the term “videotaped” outdated nowadays?
(J)
5.5.4. There is no limit to the lack of progress within a round.
I think “game” is correct rather than “round.”
(K)
5.5.5. a. The team captain may make further attempts
I think the item number “a.” is unnecessary.
(L)
5.6.1. 10 points per ramp,
The scoring for ramps has been changed so that points are awarded for each ramp tile. Therefore, shouldn’t it be “10 points per ramp tile”?
(M)
5.6.2. Failed attempts at navigating hazards in the field are defined as a Lack of Progress.
For example, if two ramps are placed consecutively and an obstacle is placed on the second ramp, there is a contradiction in the current rules: the robot may be forced to incur a Lack of Progress and therefore be unable to proceed.
The score for the first ramp is awarded when the robot reaches the second ramp. However, if there is an obstacle on the second ramp, the robot cannot reach it. If the robot cannot reach the second ramp, Rule 5.6.2 would result in a forced Lack of Progress.
Could you please clarify in the rules how this situation should be handled?
Please see the forum post below.
(N)
5.6.6. Successful victim rescue (SVR): Robots are awarded multipliers for successfully rescuing victims. A successful victim rescue occurs when the victim is entirely moved into the designated evacuation point, and no part of the robot can be in contact with the victim.
When a robot enters the evacuation zone, is the rescue considered successful if it first places the black victim in the red evacuation point?
The rules state that the rescue is successful when the entire victim is moved to the designated evacuation point. Could you please clarify whether placing only the black victim in the red evacuation point is considered a successful rescue?
If this is considered a successful rescue, would a multiplier of 1.25 be awarded according to Rule 5.6.9?
(O)
5.6.11. A robot is awarded 30 points for successfully exiting the evacuation zone.
I think it would be better to award points not simply when the robot leaves the evacuation zone, but when it leaves the evacuation zone and correctly follows the black line.
(P)
Rules 6.3.4 and 6.3.5 have been added to Rescue Maze, but will they not be added to Rescue Line as well?
Best regards,
MASA