<R16> Interpretation

[FRC1889]

"While in the PLAYING CONFIGURATION, the ROBOT may expand up to a maximum horizontal dimension of 80 inches (e.g. all parts of the ROBOT must fit within an imaginary 80-inch-diameter upright cylinder)."

Which is it, maximum horizontal dimension of 80 inches, or must fit in 80 inch diameter circle? They are not the same thing. For example, an equilateral triangle with 80 inch sides has a maximum dimension of 80 inches but does not fit in an 80 inch diameter circle.

[FRC190]

Rule <R16> states: "...the ROBOT may expand up to a maximum horizontal dimension of 80
inches (e.g. all parts of the ROBOT must fit within an imaginary 80-inch-diameter upright
cylinder)."

In which case (maximum horizontal dimension or must fit within cylinder) will be enforced? If I have a robot that is an equilateral triangle 80" on each side, it will not fit within an 80" diameter cylinder. Would that robot be legal or not?

[GDC]

The rule states that the Robot may not have any two points more than 80 inches apart when measured horizontally. The parenthetical phrase is intended as a clarifying example, but it does not convey the same authority as the rule. It is recognized that a small set of configurations exist (with an equilateral triangle with 80 inch sides as the degenerate case) that are in compliance with the letter of the rule, but may violate the example. In all such cases the rule, and not the example, will be enforced.