What occurs if a robot is driven during the autonomous period?

During the autonomous period of a competition, robots are intended to operate without direct human control. If a robot is driven by a human operator during this time, it constitutes a violation of the established rules. The appropriate penalty for this infraction is a minor foul along with a yellow card.

The minor foul is issued because the action disrupts the integrity of the autonomous phase, which is critical for testing the autonomous programming while allowing for a degree of control that must be maintained. The yellow card serves as a formal warning, indicating that any similar infractions in the future may lead to more substantial penalties. This rule is in place to emphasize the importance of adhering to the specific operational modes during the match and to maintain fair play among competing teams.