[staplemonx]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I think that this design is susceptible to easily being turned for two reasons:

1.) The extended frame creates more mechanical advantage for another robot to turn you.
2.) Even with traction wheels on the corners, there's very little weight on the outer corners in the extended positions; thus they provide little protection from another robot turning you.

If you're always beyond the Caution line and get turned into the opponent scoring zone by a high-traction high-torque robot, your robot will receive a penalty, per <G32>.

Thus, solve the anti-turning problem and I think that this is a solid strategy that blocks a good amount of the scoring zone.

The kids brought this issue up as well. One of their solutions was to make the robot exactly 120lb by using sandbags in the extensions to help increase the moment of inertia. They also decided to make all 8 wheels high traction wheels to increase the friction to avoid turning. They are going to be excited to see that their ideas were echoed by some more experienced teams.