[EricH]

My opinion is not that it is impossible--after all, the totes are in known positions, and it should be highly possible to deal with the recycling bins in the way--but that it is HIGHLY difficult, and more particularly for only having 15 seconds to work with.

I do think that we will see AT LEAST one alliance attempt and succeed, particularly at high levels... but there will be many failures, and even more that do not attempt it.

Here is my reasoning:
1) Totes are not easy to stack. (Easier than '03... but that's not saying much.)
2) The totes are spread far apart, and then must be taken over or around an obstacle to score. This means a high-speed motion is necessary.

In order to do it successfully, 1 robot should do it. The other two need to get the rest of the cans out of the way, right away. That robot will need: a robust and insanely good bin alignment device (BAD), a quick stacker, a fast drive that is controllable, tracks straight, and turns on a dime, AND some luck and coordination.