R404       *BUMPERS must be soft. Hard parts of BUMPERS must not extend more than 1.25in (3.17cm) out from the ROBOT PERIMETER. Only padding (per R402-A), cover (per R402-C, including any coatings or markings), and soft fasteners used to secure padding or cover are permitted beyond this limit. Padding must extend at least 2.0in (5.08cm) beyond any hard parts of the BUMPER. There is no limit on how far BUMPER hard parts may extend inside the ROBOT FRAME PERIMETER.

R405       *BUMPERS interact with BUMPERS. While navigating the FIELD normally, all BUMPERS must have padding (per R402-A) supported by backing (per R402-B) entirely filling the BUMPER ZONE, a space between 2.5in (6.35cm) and 5.75in (14.61cm) from the floor.

R401       *BUMPERS almost all around. ROBOTS are required to use BUMPERS to protect the entire ROBOT PERIMETER. Gaps of less than 1.25in (3.17cm) between adjacent segments are permitted as long as all corners are filled per R406. A single gap larger than 1.25in (3.17cm) is permitted, as long as at least 5.0in (12.7cm) of ROBOT PERIMETER on each side of each corner is protected by BUMPER.

R406       *Fill BUMPER corners. Corner joints between BUMPERS must be filled with uncompressed padding material extending at least 2.25in (5.72cm) from the corner with no gaps or voids. Examples of implementation are shown in Figure 8‑10.