Are robots allowed to interact with the game pieces during the autonomous period?

During the autonomous period of a robotics competition, robots are indeed allowed to interact with game pieces autonomously. This means that they can move, manipulate, or otherwise interact with the game pieces according to their programmed routines without any human control. The interaction is a crucial aspect of the game as it demonstrates the robot’s capabilities and strategy during the fully autonomous phase, highlighting the design and programming skills of the team.

While other options may suggest limitations or restrictions on what a robot can do with game pieces, the rules affirm that the primary intention of the autonomous period is to showcase the robot's ability to perform tasks independently, making the ability to interact with game pieces a fundamental part of the competition during this phase.