this is relevant as every year there are discussions on pre-mapping of obstacles: if the teams are not allowed to “hard-code” the directions, they have to be able to detect a suitable way to get around the obstacles.
So, can we expect the robot to be able to detect in which direction they can navigate the obstacles?
Our discussion resulted in “generally they have to, but it depends on the situation”.
Scenarios & what we thought:
On the left, there is a wall. On the right, there is enough space. Our opinion: the robot should be able to detect that.
On the left, there is a ramp. On the right, there is enough space. Our opinion: could be pretty hard to detect, though not impossible…
On the left, the field ends (in Germany, the fields are placed ~50cm above the ground => robot would fall down). On the right, there is enough space. Our opinion: we can’t expect them to detect that.
Yes, we’re quite aware that this is a controversial topic every year. And you are correct in that there is a limit to how much the field designer can expect from the team.
The reason why this hasn’t been clarified in the rules and has always been vague is because it is just impossible to come up with a generalised rule without any edge cases whilst allowing the field designs to be versatile (so once again I can only answer in a “general” sense, and the specifics are tbd by the local field designers).
So for your 3 scenarios:
• Scenario 1:
Yes, I think the robot should be able to detect this.
• Scenario 2:
This is a tricky one. In general no. We are not expecting teams to detect ramps in this way, so in theory field designers shouldn’t deliberately make a course where the robot must recognise this scenario. But that doesn’t mean obstacle paths and ramp locations can be in proximity. If you’re robot just so happens to be excessively huge, and as a consequence must detect the ramp to move the other way, this can be a situation where the course can be unchanged.
• Scenario 3:
No. (I mean if you’re team can create such a system, it can also be used for other purposes so go for it!!)
At the end of the day, this whole “premapping” rule is not in place to raise the difficulty of those that are tackling the rule with respect, but to penalise teams that are trying to cheat. At least in the international competitions, if you feel like the field designer is taking advantage of this rule and covering a legitimate team, you can probably argue for a change.
thanks for the reply. Actually I am asking as a field designer as we wanted to know, what we can expect from the (best) teams (e.g. in Hanover at Euro 2019) and I think your post answered that question very well, thank you!