No. You can prebuild anything you want. Just as long as it constructed of official LEGO parts.

Yes. There are no restrictions. You can use another EV3, an App, a Wii, a Commodore 64, a Sinclair Timex 1000, or a garage opener. We are looking for innovation.

What? You want more rules? Ok, here's one. We want innovation, ingenguity, solutions. We are opening you up to the full potential of LEGO robotics. So suprise us!

Yes. Actually you get a check. But you can spend it just the same. Why are we doing this?  Because we want you to get a taste of what it feels like to earn money using your mind. We are counting on you to build the future.

Yes. For 10 minutes at a time (but you can use them multiple times as they become avaialbe). The Judges/Refs will assist you in scheduling the time.

Yes. As long as you in the age range specified bring your best talent and amaze us.

Question: For the teleop part of the challenge, can more than one person operate the robot at the same time? That is, can we have a driver and an operator, like in FTC/FRC?

Answer: Since there is no designated autonomous time, the entire challenge can be run in teleop mode. And you can have as many drivers as you want.  As long as there is only one driven robot. As stated in the rules, you can create motorized objects to be placed on the field. But they cannot be driven (though they may have moving parts).

Question: Samuel asks, "I have a question about the Field Helper Objects, which is are we the ones placing them, are we allowed to move them after they have been place or completely removed. I also have a question about if we are allow to touch the robot, for example in FLL you are allow to take your robot back to base, while receiving a penalty, is it the same where we have a designated spot to touch our robot?"

Answer:  As long as a field object does not drive itself around (though the device itself can be motorized with or without an EV3), you can place it, move it, and adjust it with no penalties. And as for the main robot, there are no touch penalties. You can pick it up and bring it back to the base to work on it if it gets stuck. However, to be clear, it must drive it to various tasks and locations (that is, you cannot place the robot itself to do the tasks).

The entire event is a rapid development session. Remember, teams will see the game and game rules for the first time at 7:45 am on the day of the event. They will then be given a pit kit with sample scoring items. They have four hours to build a solution to some or all of the challenges.

The "Rapid Deployment Award" is the equivalent of the Chairman's Award in FLL. It is will be awarded to the team that has demonstrated the most innovation, the best solutions, the best documentation, team work, etc.

This is not be be confused with the 3:15p-4:00p session labled "rapid development session" which is a break in which teams can make final asdjusts before their second run.

Judges will be watching from 7:30a on so the teams must be on target the entire day.

We never said this would be easy!

John asks, "How will the 'two mentors per team in the pits' rule be enforced? Specifically, is it permissible for a team's mentors to 'switch out' between the pits and the bleachers throughout the day, as long as the team never has more than 2 mentors in the pits at any given time?"

Answer: Though we had not anticipated this situation the answer is any two mentors but no more than two. So yes, you can 'tag team' in and out of the pits.

Question:  If a "robot" drives out onto the field and stops driving, can it be considered a "helper object", such that a different structure is now considered the "robot"?

Answer: Great question. You guys are working overtime on this!  The rules say, "They may not move under their own power." This means at any time. So you can hand-place an object that has a motor and processes items, but it cannot move before or after under its own power.

Yes!  There are no restrictions on the use of Wi-Fi.

QUESTION: Clarifying for field helper robots, say you have a wind up motor and the robot winds up the motor and it starts moving is it considered moving under it's own power, what about if it was pre winded.

ANSWER: I love this!  Technically we intended the rule to mean on one robot can be operated by the drivers. So yes, technically, a helper object could be self-powered once placed.

QUESTION: Can the robot be receiving data from the computer or does it have to be disconnected from the computer and have a direct connection with the controller? (Can we transmit data to in from the controller via the computer?)

ANSWER: We are encouraging teams to have a working teleop solution. This means they can drive the robot in real time and operate attachments. You can do this via BlueTooth, WiFi, or direct wires or any other method.

QUESTION: Are we allowed to touch the Helper Object to power it on, for example a switch. Also If field elements are in a helper object are we allowed to move the helper object with our hands.

ANSWER: Yes you can touch helper objects to turn them on. And, yes, you can move an object but you cannot actuate it. That is, whatever it does it must do on it's own.

QUESTION: Are we allowed to change the software on the robot to better suit our teleop needs and to help us control our robot?

ANSWER: There are no limitations on software on the robot or the controller nor do the controlling components need to be constructed of LEGO parts.

QUESTION: Rule question for the upcoming single day design challenge. With there being a mention of a base, does that mean that even though there are no size limits, there still may be a requirement where the robot needs to "fit" into a base at some point?

ANSWER: There are no size limits for the robot. The base area is really just the starting and termination point for the chellenge tasks.

QUESTION: After reading the rules and all the FAQs, my team and I remain a bit confused about the precise definitions of 'robot' and 'helper object'. In brainstorming possible solutions and strategies, there have been several discussions where the legality or illegality of a proposed solution was not totally clear. So, my goal in asking this question is to clarify exactly what features 'helper objects' can and can't have in order to avoid any teams being unpleasantly surprised on event day.

ANSWER: So your questions are great and since this is the pilot we are working through the permutations of what we created and you have permutated! Each question pushed the boundaries.

I'll make a definitive statement.  

>> A helper object can be anything you build, automate, place, turn on, move, but which is not directly driven or directed by the team. It can be powered by an EV3, a rubber band, a lemon battery, or a hamster. Again, it can move on it's own via programs, it can be pushed by the main robot, but not controlled directly. More specifically, a help device can be controlled via tele-op, it just can be directed to more (translated) via teleop. 

As you have all observed we have very few rules and no penalties. One of the key concepts here is to drive innovation. To see what teams can do with EV3 robotics free from the restrictions of most tournaments. And to have you do this under pressure and for which you can be signficantly rewarded. We will be very relaxed about this. Build a good solution and strive for the maximum score which is 2556 points.

You can control the robot by any means you choose.  IR, Wifi, BlueTooth, string and paper cups, yodeling, and more. Looking forward to seeing what you all will do with this amazing challenge!