[Cal578]

Question: When people talk about a "Motorized Robot Cart" in this context, is "Remote Control" (wireless or tethered) implied? I can see how that gets more dangerous, and more tempting for people to play around. What if it were more like a self-propelled lawn mower: when you pull a lever while holding the handle, you get motor assist, but if you let go, it stops/coasts.

I'm not an inspector, but I think they would likely not prohibit a simple motor-assist design. I'm also not an event volunteer, but I think they would not be annoyed by this (they probably wouldn't notice, since it is less likely that anyone would be goofing off with such a cart).

Our team had a motorized cart several years ago (before I was with the team). They said it was too big, and caused trouble, so they removed the motors and smallerized the cart. [Everybody please start using "smallerize"; I want to make it a real word. 8-) ] That cart has served us well for several years now. Although, now there's talk of a new-and-improved cart, with scissor lift and such. I think good things will come of that. It will make a useful summer project, with goals->requirements->design, hands on work, imagery, and much potential team benefit.