1. What are the dimensions of the trash bin and what is the distance from the bottom of the  pool where the trash bin is located?

The box will be 18” x 18” area with 3 vertical sides of height 8 inches and one vertical  side at 2 inches. The top of the lower vertical side will be placed at the surface level of  the water to allow the robot to deposit trash into the receptacle. This side will have a  ramp the length of the opening that will extend outward by 6” at a slight decline of  approximately 30 degrees. Distance to the bottom of the pool is between 3 ft 6 in. to 4 ft. depending on the  quadrant of the pool.

What is the composition of the water in the pool? Salt water, chlorine water, or fresh  water? Will the water be at ambient temperatures?

Our understanding from the hotel is that the pool is chlorinated, not salt water. 

2. Are purge gases contained in the robot allowed as a byproduct?

Yes, but no emissions of any kind are allowed into the pool. 

3. How soon would we, the competing teams, be informed of the competition’s cancellation  if it were decided?

Within 24 hours of cancellation. 

4. For clarification, can the robot cost more than $2,000 without repercussions?

Yes, but there are incentives to make the robot less expensive. See Bonus Scoring.

5. Do the spare parts count among the items for the Bill of Materials?

Yes.

6. Are there any penalties for not putting all 10 tennis balls into the trash bin?

No. The scoring is 5 points per ball completely into the trash receptacle per the Round 2 rules.

7. Does a tethered robot suggest that it has to be wired to the controller for communications, or is the tether a safety harness for failures? (Page6)

You can decide.

8. What is allowed in the tether? Communications, power, control, air pressure, or video  feedback?

Communications, power, control, air pressure, or video feedback are all allowed. 

9. During the Underwater Missions, do the 4 members and their respective duties of Round  1 have to be the same 4 members and respective duties for Round 2? (Page6)

No you could rotate member duties.

10. In the case of leftover time during either round and the robot is already in the Game  Field, if the robot were to move off the Game Field and not return to Game Field until  after the allotted time, would we be penalized? Also, would the bonus points for each  minute/second less than the allotted time not be awarded?

See page 7 – (if any of the end of round conditions occur, the round is over for that  robot.)

See Bonus Scoring Time – If all tasks are fully completed in less than the allotted time, then bonus points  will be awarded as follows:
– 6 points for each full minute less than the allotted time
– 0.1 point for each second in a partial minute less than the allotted time 

11. For clarification, the Open-Ended Box is 8”x12”x12”?

Yes

12. We noted that each group station has a 120 VAV 15-amp outlet. Is this close enough to  the game field that we can use this outlet to power our robot via tether?

No AC power can be used with the robots going into the water. All DC power for the robots must be supplied by the teams at 48VDC or less. The AC power on deck will be for laptops, hand tools, etc., for team use on the pool deck only. (Updated rules to clarify  this will be posted.) 

13. Are there any sensors that are not allowed?(IMU, depth sensor, etc.)

All sensors are allowed but any attached material to the robot counts toward the weight, and the cost must be itemized in the Bill of Materials.

14. Can an IEEE Student Branch field more than one team for the competition?

Up to 2 teams per IEEE Student Branch are allowed.