[Wayne TenBrink]

We have seen pictures and videos of many good looking and well performing robots. But what about the 1950-odd teams that haven't posted anything? I don't think that we have been looking at a representative cross section of the population. To be sure, some great robots remain to be seen, but I suspect that most of the teams that struggled the most are among the "missing" on CD.

I think this was a very difficult technical challenge. It really involves three completely independent functions (4 if you count the drive chassis) - Tube manipulator, Minibot deployment system, and Minibot. You can't ignore any of them. However, since there are some natural limits that may tend to normalize the high end of what can be achieved, strategy and teamwork will become a larger factor as the season wears on. That will be fun to watch.