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8.4      BUMPER Rules

A BUMPER is a required assembly which attaches to the ROBOT frame. BUMPERS protect ROBOTS from damaging/being damaged by other ROBOTS and FIELD elements. Criteria used in writing these rules include the following:

-        minimize variety of BUMPERS so teams can expect consistency,

-        minimize the amount of design challenge in creating BUMPERS,

-        minimize cost of BUMPER materials, and

-        maximize use of relatively ubiquitous materials.

Additional resources to assist in BUMPER construction, including a BUMPER guide and instructional videos may be found under the Mechanical Resources section of the Technical Resources page.

Similar Rules

Rule R401
R401      *BUMPERS all around. ROBOTS are required to use BUMPERS to protect the entire FRAME PERIMETER. Gaps of less than ½ in. between adjacent segments are permitted as long as all corners are filled per R409.
Rule R408
R408      *BUMPER construction. BUMPERS must be constructed as follows, such that the cross section resembles Figure 8‑6:
Rule R410
R410      *BUMPERS must be supported. BUMPERS must be supported by the structure/frame of the ROBOT (see Figure 8‑8). To be considered supported, a minimum of ½ in. (~13 mm) at each end of each BUMPER wood segment must be backed by the FRAME PERIMETER (≤¼ in. gap, ~6mm). “Ends” exclude hard BUMPER parts which extend past the FRAME PERIMETER permitted by R408-B. Additionally, any gap between the backing material and the frame:
Rule R402
R402      *BUMPERS must stay low. BUMPERS must be located entirely within the BUMPER ZONE, which is the volume contained between the floor and a virtual horizontal plane 7½ in. (~19 cm) above the floor in reference to the ROBOT standing normally on a flat floor. BUMPERS do not have to be parallel to the floor.