What is the primary restriction for DRIVE TEAMS during the AUTO period?

During the AUTO period in FRC competitions, DRIVE TEAMS are fundamentally restricted from directly or indirectly interacting with ROBOTS or OPERATOR CONSOLES. This rule is in place to ensure that the robots operate autonomously during this phase of the match. The intent is to test the programming and autonomous capabilities of the robots without human intervention.

The ability for robots to perform tasks based on their programmed logic without any human input is crucial for maintaining fairness and assessing the effectiveness of the designs and strategies implemented by the teams. Allowing any kind of interaction could disrupt the autonomy and may lead to manipulation of the robots at a time when they are meant to function on their own. This strict guideline helps ensure a level playing field and encourages teams to thoroughly prepare their robots for autonomous tasks.