[JesseK]

I'm really hoping that this year we'll see the first triple-hybrid mechanism -- one that uses motors, pneumatics AND constant-force springs to move up the pyramid. It's the perfect year for it, and totally removes the issues with battery drain. Essentially the motor must overcome the force of the spring to put a latch in place, then the motor reverses while the cylinder kicks in and all 3 force-providing mechanisms pull the robot up.

I think a 30-pt climb is possible, but the sacrifice for 99% of the teams needs to be evaluated on a team-by-team basis (I think only 1% of teams are even capable of doing a 30-pt climb while also being good at everything else). For us, it just isn't there (sad face).