It is clear that cage bots are a thing. Here is a question that came up at a tournament yesterday on which we would all like further clarification. I will include images to help with this description.
A blue bot with a cage trapped two red mogos like in this first image:
A red bot attempted to get the mogo like in this second image:
The red bot then tried to lift the mogo like in this image but while doing so, unlike in the image, caused the wheels of the blue robot to come off the ground.
So here are the questions. Should the blue robot be warned for entanglement since part of the bot is around the scoring objects that are in possession of the red robot?
Should the red robot be warned for trying to tip the blue robot, especially if it gets wheels of the blue robot off the ground?
Should this just be considered normal game play and nobody should be warned?
If it is the first one, does that make cage bots illegal since it would then be violating <R3>?
First, thank you for the images to help clarify the details of the question.
The definition of Entanglement reads as follows:
Entanglement only refers to opposing robots, not any scoring objects that are in that robot’s possession. So, no, this should not result in an Entanglement warning or violation.
Rule <G12> includes the following statement:
The blue robot in these images is clearly undergoing a solely defensive strategy. As a result, it does not have the “protection” against destructive maneuvers that <G12> generally offers to offensive robots. Teams who choose to undergo solely defensive strategies, such as collecting opposing Mobile Goals or blocking Scoring Zones, should be prepared to withstand vigorous interaction from offensive robots.
It’s not necessarily “normal” gameplay, since there is definitely some extreme defense occurring, but there are no rules being violated. (what is “normal” in VRC, anyways…)
Generally, rigid mechanisms such as the one shown in the attached photos do not pose entanglement risks. If the “cage” was instead built out of a flexible material like string, surgical tubing, or rubber anti-slip mats, then it may be more susceptible to an entanglement risk/violation. (this is not a blanket ruling, just a general guiding principle to illustrate a point)
