2i) Clusterbots

A discussion forum for proposed changes to the AWS rules (2014)

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Remote-Controlled Dave
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

That's an interesting question!

3 ideas spring to mind.
1) classic cluster with separate units
2) separate units joined together by some kind of tether
3) one unit, say 4WD, where the front wheels are independent of the back (with their own receiver, speedo, battery etc.)

In my mind, only the first would count as a clusterbot, but I'm not sure the rules specifically ban the second...
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Hogi
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by Hogi »

the deffinition in the rules is a robot that consists of more than one separate parts. to me, a robot that is tethered but is capable of separating into two or more separate parts still CONSISTS of more than one separate parts and is therefore still a clusterbot provided that all parts are capable of independant controlled motion. that's my understanding of it anyway.
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Super antweights: territorial.

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peterwaller
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by peterwaller »

That's about how I read it so I think I might have a go.
If it proves too difficult to have controlled separation or it is considered not to be within the spirit of the cluster rules it will have to be a single robot and replace a roller.
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

I always liked the idea that clusterbots had to start as one robot and 'become' their separate parts upon activate, a la Robot Wars. But that proved to be problematic with antweights as people very quickly found ways around it that made it rather pointless to have as a rule IE just sitting the two fleas on top of each other, or having one contain the other with its weapon, or simply have an incredibly fine tether that would break the minute any of them moved.
But I am all for allowing anything that adds a bit of ingenuity into what has become a bit of a muddy classification, as long as it complies with what rules we do have.
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peterwaller
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by peterwaller »

These could well do much if not all of the battle joined all be it loosely.
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

Its interesting. "Can detach from each other, but chose not to for the whole fight." I guess that falls into tactics rather than rules. Similar to keeping one half of a cluster out of the way to bring in only if the other half fails to win.
What's your thinking, Peter? I'm guessing some sort of tether so one half can rescue the other from the pits.by pulling them out?
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Re: 2i) Clusterbots

Post by peterwaller »

I thought any discussion on the actual robot should be moved out of the rules section so I have put it in my fleaweight thread.
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