On this page you can find frequently asked questions. Please check out this site as often as possible. Information displayed on this site have been officially published by HANDS ON TECHNOLOGY and are valid for all FLL Teams at every FLL Tournament in Central Europe.
"Questions & Answers" are subdivided into four categories, which are color-coded and therefore allow an easy overview. Furthermore, they are subdivided into blocs which refer to a certain date each.
Send your questions via email to FLL@hands-on-technology.de.
| September | October | ||
| 04.09.2009*** | 05.10.2009 |
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| 08.09.2009* | 20.10.2009 | ||
| 15.09.2009* | 23.10.2009 | ||
| 21.09.2009 | 30.10.2009 |
Updated questions are marked by *
Rules |
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Missions & FLL Challenge Set |
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Research Project |
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FLL in general |
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50. Rule 25 Stray objects - point of time for the removal of the truck
Q: At what point of time is the referee allowed to remove the truck from the playing field due to its character as a stray object? Is it possible to remove the car, if it is still moving or does it need to be completely out of movement? Is it valid, if the robot touches the truck?
A: The truck can only be removed at the time it is completely out of movement. The robot, therefore can be used as a bumper and thus can stop the truck. It is not valid to remove the truck whilst it is moving.
48. Task: Safety test for passengers - definition of lying, sitting or standing*
Q: *How is sitting, standing, lying defined for the persons? Is it valid to put the persons upright on a board and to fix this board upright at the robot? The persons would be horizontally to the playing field.*
A: * Sitting/standing means that the head of the persons has to be above of their feet. If persons are horizontally to the playing field, the persons are lying. This is not valid.*
Q: Does the container, the passengers are inside, need to touch the yellow-black circle at the playing field? Would it be sufficient, if only the means of transport, the container is attached to, is situated on the circle?
A: Rule 30 shows a word definition of ‘in’, which does not specify a direct contact to the playing field.
Q: Are we allowed to remove stray objects from the playing field if they are not in starting or judgement positions or is this not valid?
A: This is not valid. If an object becomes a stray object, the only way of removing it, is a request of the team.
45. Mission „Single Passenger Restraint Test“ - separated quickly
Q: Can we tell the referee how to separate the crash test figure properly so that he can do it with one handle?
A: The referee needs to see it himself how the figire can be separated quickly which means by one handle. You are not allowed to advise him how to.
44. General required methods
Q: In the southeast area of the mat there are yellow and black arrows printed on the mat. Are we allowed to drive against the "driving direction" shown on the mat?
A: Yes, this is allowed. As long as there are no regulations in the missions, the rules and/or the Questions & Answers not allowing a method or requiring a special method how to solve a mission, it is up to you how to solve the missions.
43. FLL Tournament Table at the FLL Regional Tournament - bring own table
Q: Do you provide a FLL Tournament Table at the FLL FLL Regional Tournaments or do we have to bring our own?
A: The host provides all FLL Tables, either the ones for rehearsing or the ones for the matches, at a FLL Regional Tournament.
42. Playing field – Tournament table is bigger than field mat
Q: The palying field mat is smaller than the FLL Playing Table and there is a gap between field mat and the border. Does the area between the field mat and border belong to the playing field or not?
A: The document "Field Set up & Placement" says that the field mat is smaller than the table and should be centered in east-west direction between the filed east and west field borders. That is why the gap between field mat and field border occurs. This gap can be ignored which means the playing field (including Base) extends until the field border although the proper limitation is shown on the field mat. Objects located in that area will be treated as "within the playing field".
41. Mission „Multiple Passenger Restraint Test" – sit or stand
Q: The Mission „Multiple Passenger Restraint Test" requires "sit or stand". Do all persons either have to stand or to sit or is it the same? Are lying persons allowed?
A: If all persons either sit or all stand or if some of them sit and the others stand does not matter - it is up to you. It is not allowed that persons lie in the vehicle. The persons have to sit or stand in the transport vehicle.
40. Missions „Yellow Bridge Deck“ and „Red Bridge Deck“ – do not touch mat
Q: In the missions „Yellow Bridge Deck“ and „Red Bridge Deck“is said: „The mat should not be touched." What is meant by that - the driving wheels or the entire robot?
A:The entire robot should not be in contact with the field mat.
39. Rule 27 Stray objects: mission models = stray objects
Q: Can all mission models become stray objects or does that only apply to sensor walls and the truck?
A: All mission models can become stray objects, if they are not in their original setup position anymore and/or in a position where they are not worth points.
38. Rule 3 „Materials“ - Dual Lock
Q: Dual Lock is delivered together with the FLL Challenge Set. Is it allowed to use it as part of the robot, strategic objects or extensions?
A: It is not allowed to use Dual Lock as part of the robot, strategic objects or extensions. Dual Lock ist not an original LEGO part and therefore not allowed as rule 3 describes. It can only be used as fixing for the mission models as explained in "Field Setup & Placement".
37. Rule 27 „Field Damage“ – mission model detached from Dual Lock
Q:What happends if the robot does not only release the "Bumper units" from their holder but detaches the whole model from the Dual Lock fixing? Does that count as worth points or not?
A:The mission "bumper units" are worth points if they are off their holder and in their “down” position. Is the mission model detached from the Dual Lock fixing by the robot it is not worth points. Rule 27 says that "the referee reverses the change as soon as possible (if possible). "
36. Aufgabe „Farhzeugtest“ – Truck liegt
Q: Can the truck lay beside the ramp when the vehicle test has been released?
A: Yes, that is possible because the mission says: "The truck needs no longer to touch the ramp’s red stopper beam." But keep in mind that "Your entire robot needs to be completely out of Base when it produces the required condition, otherwise the referee removes 2 upright warning lights (in the same manner as 2 touch penalties)."
35. Mission "Multiple Passenger Restraint Test" – Passengers in transport vehicle
Q: Is it allowed to place the mini figures in the transport vehicle by hand within Base before the start?
A: That is allowed because rule 16 "Robot Preparation and Handling" describes typical preparations before the match e.g. "loading and unloading objects" and "aiming the robot and any objects it
will be moving or using".
34. Rule 13 Strategic Objects – cross the dynamometer
Q: Are we allowed use a strategic object to let the robot cross the dynamometer?
A: Yes, that is allowed as long as the strategic objects is delivered by the robot autonomously from Base on the playing field. As described in rule 13. Strategic Objects the team is only allowed to touch them within Base.
33. Mission „Loops“ – throw loops into Base
Q: Is it possible that the robot throws the loops into Base and we are catching them up by hand in Base?
A: The loops can be thrown by the robot into Base but they need to land their on zheir own. Team members are not allowed to catch them because rule 1 "autonomy" says: "The FLL Robot Game is to be played by an “autonomous” robot. That means you’re not supposed to influence it while it’s on its way on the playing field." The rules also say that teams are not allowed to influence anything outside Base.
32. Rule 15 „Housekeeping“ – store mission models in a box
Q:Are we allowed to store the collected loops in a box held by a team member and put them back into Base before the end of the match?
A: Yes, that is allowed. Please keep in mid rule 15 "Housekeeeping" which says: "Mission models always need to stay in view of the referee."
29. Mission „Lying sensor walls“ - evaluation sensor wall on coloumns
Q: How is it evaluated if the the sensor wall on the coloumns is breaking down during the match and does not land in a horizontal position on the playing field but e.g. crooked on the coloumns?
A: In this case the mission "Lying sensor walls" will be evaluated zero points because not all (5) sensor walls are horizontal as claimed in the mission.
28. Regel 13 "Strategic objects" – stencil is looking over Base
Q: When using a stencil is it allowed that it sticks over Base line during the robot is in inactive mode?
A: No, this is not allowed. Rule 13 "Strategic Objects says:"You may touch or use strategic objects only in Base, but your robot may touch or use them anywhere." A stenicl needs to fit into Base totally.
26. Mission "Single passenger restraint test" - Crashtest dummy touches field mat
Q: Is it allowed that the crashtest dummy touches the field mat during the match?
A: The figur „crashtest dummy“ should be on the robot, but it can touch the mat. The crashtest dummy must stay intact - if any bit falls off from it the mission can not be scored. Rule 16 „Robot preparation and handling" allows the team to load the figure onto the robot before every start in Base.
25. Rules 17 „Muscle actions“ + 30 „Word definitions: in“: Precising of „reaches Base"/“returning to Base“
The expressions from rule 17 "As soon as your robot or anything it’s strategically controlling reaches Base, you may take it all (robot plus objects) into Base." and rule 30 "Objects returning to Base with your robot are considered IN as soon as the robot reaches Base." apply to robots that actually are going to Base. Extensions which drop, uncoil, shoot, telescope, etc., for the obvious purpose of avoiding the penalty for truly failing or not even trying to engineer a trip to Base will be treated like in rule 23 "Tethers/Leashes" and not considered part of the robot.
24. Rule 28 "Interference" - field border touched
Q: Is the robot allowed to touch the border of the playing field?
A: Yes, it is allowed that the robot touches the border of the playing field. Please take care of rule 28 "Interference" whioch says: "" Beachtet dabei aber Regel 28 Beeinflussung:Your robot is not allowed to have any effect on the other team’s robot, field, or strategy, except by directly meeting the scoring requirements of missions in areas that are shared between the two sides by design of the Challenge.
23. Rule 2 "Participation" - birthday deadline
Q: Rule How exactly can the birthday deadline for the participation in Rule 2 be understood? What is the allowed age for an FLL team member?
A: Rule 2 „Participation“ says that a team member should not be older than 16 and not younger than 10 on Sept 3rd, 2009. Is the team members 17th or his/her 10th birthday after Sept 3rd, 2009 he/she is not allowed to take part. Example: If a team member´s 17th birthday is on Sept 4th, 2009 or his/her 10th birthday is on Sept 2nd, 2009 he/she can take part.
22. Height of border of FLL Table
Q: How high should the border of the FLL Table?
A: According the building instruction of the FLL Table the borders should be 100mm high (usual in trade). This is an recommandation. It might happen that the border height varies slightly between different tournaments. For detailed measurements or questions according the table please contact the local organiser. See all contact data on the FLL regional web pages: www.hands-on-technology.de/en/firstlegoleague/tournaments/regions.
20. Exceptions Rule 25 "Stray Objects"*
In Rule 25 “Stray Objects” is said: „Objects in their original “setup” positions are never considered stray." Exceptions: The truck when not in contact with the red beam may be considered stray. The red beam with no truck will still be worth points. Sensor walls moved by the robot will be considered stray only if and when the team asks for them to be removed. Removed walls are not scored at all.
* Update: Scoring of missions „Avoid sensor walls“ & „Lying sensor walls“ If one or more sensor walls are being taken away from the plaing field as stray objects this has effects on the scoring of the missions „Avoid sensor walls“ & „Lying sensor walls“. There are no points (0) for the mission "Lying sensor walls" because the mission is "All sensor walls are horizontal.". For the mission "Avoid sensor walls" there are 10 points the max. even if the rest of the walls is upright as well. 19. Missions "Warning lights" & "Avoid sensor walls": placement for scoring*
Q: Do the warning lights respectively the sensor walls count only in their setup position at the end of the match or is it counted as well if the robot collects the mission models and they are placed upright at another place on the playing field? Are they counted if they are in Base at the end of the match?
A: The mission says that the warning lights and the sensor walls should be upright (which means square to the mat) at the end of the match for being counted. It is worth points no matter where on the playing field.
* Update:
If the robot is touched an upright warning light will be taken away by the referee as a penalty object. The order is the same as if they where in there setup position - at first from south to north and then from west to east.
18. Mission „Access to Places (choose one)“ – drive wheels or drive chains touching target area*
F: In the missions „Access to places (choose one)“ is chosen the plural “drive wheels or drive chains”. Do we lose points if just one drive wheel touches the target area.
A: You will get points, as soon as one drive wheel touches the target area.
*Update:
F: How does the referee recognize which are the drive wheels?
A: Mark your drive wheels on the tournament day.
17. Mission “Access to Places - yellow or red bridge deck”: going to the other teams bridge
F: Is it allowed, for the mission “red bridge deck” or “yellow bridge deck”, to drive with the robot on the bridge deck or the mat of the other team?
A: Yes, your robot can drive on the red- and/or yellow bridge deck on the other tournament table. As soon your robot touches the mat of the other team, the referee places the robot in your base. You can start the robot again.
15. Rule 28. Interference: attachments loom over the playing field
F: It is allowed that attachments of the robot loom over the playing field during the match?Does attachments of the robot jut out over the playing field during the game?
A: Yes it’s allowed, as long as the robot does not influence the other team’s robot, playing field or strategy according to rule 28 Interference.
14. Housekeeping: table for storing
F: It is allowed to bring a table to the competition area to store the box, attachments or strategic objects? Or can we fix a box at the tournament table?
A: It is not allowed to fix the box on the tournament table or deposit it on a self-brought table. Team members at the tournament table can hold the box, hang it around their neck or put it on the floor if the referee allows it.
11. Placement of the loops on the guide walls*
Q: How should the loops be placed on the guided walls?
A: Place the loops with the central opening gently on the axel of the guide wall. They have to be easily removable. The grey loop has to be placed on the most southwest axle and the red one on the southeast axle of the southern wall.
* Update: The loops are placed on the southern guide wall parallel to the wall (see picture below).
10. Mission "Loops"*
F: While solving the mission "loops" the model "loops" is sometimes falling into pieces, especially when they are pressed tightly on the guide walls. Is it worth points if only the upper part of the loop (tubering) is in Base at the end of the match?
A: Yes, at the end of the match each loop is counted as far as soon of any bit of it reaches Base.
* Update: The loops (or the tubering) do not need to be in Base completely - it is sufficient if the Baseline has been reached.
8. Mission “Single Passenger Restraint Test”
F: The mission "Single Passenger Restraint Test" says that the crash-test-dummy has to be on the robot. Can we take it from the robot in Base while handling and rebuilding?
A: Yes, while the robot is in Base, you can take the crash-test-dummy from it. Please keep in mind that it is on the robot when it leaves Base next time. If it is not on the robot the referee has to take it away as the mission says.
6. Rule 21 “Active robot touched (out of Base)” – objects
F: Which objects get lost due to rule 21 and which can be reutilized, when the robot has been touched by hand?
A: If the robot is touched by hand while it is transporting objects from Base out on the playing field the robot and the objects go back to Base and the referee takes away a touch penalty object (example "persons").
If the robot is touched by hand when it is transporting objects from the playing field to Base the robot is considered inactive and has to go to Base. A touch penalty object and the objects that were transported will be taken from the table by the referee (example: loops).
4. Mission „Single Passenger Restraint Test": crash-test-dummy quickly to separate**
F: What exactly does the phrase "the figure can be separated quickly after the match" mean? Is it sufficient to separate just the figure from the robot or do we have to remove what it held there?
A: To separate quickly menas that the figure can be removed with one grip. That what held it doesn´t has to be removed.
* Update 1:
F: How can the crash-test-dummy be secured? Is a box with a lid allowed?
A: According to rule 3 “Materials” the dummy can be fixed with LEGO parts at the robot. A box with a lid is not allowed, because the figure can’t be separated quickly anymore.
* Update 2:The condition for the dummy to be "separated quickly" is valid during the entire match.
3. Rule 22 "Active robot touched (in Base)" & Rule 23 "Tethers/Leashes"
F: When are we allowed to touch the robot when it comes back to Base? Can we touch it as soon as it crossed Baseline or only when it is completely in Base?
A: As far as one part of the robot has crossed Baseline it can be touched by hand and be taken into Base. There is no penalty. But consider rule 23 "If the only part of your robot in Base at the time of an active robot touch is a cord, hose, wire, tube, chain or string, the robot is treated as if it were completely out of Base."
2. Procedure of the match start
F: What exactly happens at the start of the match?
A: The team comea to the playing field. The team gets about one minute to prepare. The match begins when the stopp watch has been started. That´s the time when you can start your robot (rule 19 & 20). It is considered active when started and can try to solve missions.
1. Variations of the FLL Tournament Tables
F: Are the FLL tables identical at all tournaments?
A: Please consider while constructing and programming that there can be variations between different tournaments depending on local conditions. The variations might occure in differenciations in the character of the field borders, lightning conditions, structure/irregularties of the field mat. At many tournaments there is no opportunity to roll out the mats early enough so that they might be a little bit wavy. Place and severity of waves can vary.
Tip: There are two important construction techniques to minimize differences in illumination:
1. Avoid control systems containing something that might rub on the mat.
2. Hide light sensors from ambient light.
Questions according the local conditions at regional tournaments can be posed directly to the local organiser. Please find there contact dates on the regional websites.
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