Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Hill
Why not use the recommended bumper material like everyone else? I'm surprised FIRST hasn't put the hammer down on the exact material that must be used (rather than recommended).
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In terms of whether teams should just use the recommended material because that is what is recommended, I would respectfully disagree. Arguably, the recommended bumper material follows the rules less than these other materials. The rules specify that a smooth and rugged material must be used, and the colors must match those of the FIRST logo to a reasonably astute observer. Having a lower coefficient of friction means that these fabrics are smoother than Cordura. As I mentioned before, we also tested the fabric to make sure it was suitably rugged. Multiple smooth fabrics we tested out we decided against using because of this requirement. We feel we have found a solution that is well within the rules that also gives us an advantage, which is really how it should be.
Now, if someone decided to take this another way, and use fabric that had more friction instead of less, that would be a bit more of an issue. At some point, it ceases to be a smooth material and starts becoming something that you design to deliberately catch on other robots. I have a feeling FIRST would rule against something like this.
Another note: in terms simply using the recommended fabric, it is clearly stated in the rules that it is a recommendation, not a requirement, which could change of course. However, if teams were to just do as recommended, there would be much less innovation and thoughtful design in FIRST. There are certainly other teams that use alternate bumper fabric, but the teams I mentioned (1114, 2056, 1678, 1717, 254) are all amazing teams. They have seen a part of the rules (arguably a loophole, though I think not) that they can use to field an ever more competitive robot. Before now, not many teams have even considered bumpers or bumper fabrics an area for innovation. Good teams always find ways to innovate. They work to find creative solutions to real problems, in this case the large amount of friction pins in a wide open game. People might not like it, but I see it as a way to create a better design in a creative way.
I would actually argue that having a smoother bumper material can result in benefits for safety. Less robots caught on other robots and on field elements smooths out gameplay and makes it harder for other robots to use their bumpers as a wedge to get under other robots. It's hard to tell whether it would result in dramatically safer matches, but overall it could be good for FIRST to have more lower friction bumpers out there.