[Chexposito]

Solid table is always best, hands down, if you drop something it doesn't end up half way across the shop under heavy equipment. If you're looking to get under the robot in the shop just have someone tilt it and hold it there or keep some lifts for the robot, which can be as simple as some 2x4 blocks of wood to robot jack stands (made by students). i would only create a custom work area for the robot cart, but usually it's just easier to make everything accessible from above.
(2x4 blocks laying long instead of standing, where the 2 side is on the table)