[waialua359]

Originally Posted by pilleya

The main reasons that the grappling hook method used by 118 is so effective, is that the whole system is light. But also that it is quick to activate. Being able to climb quickly is highly important as without a quick method of climbing, the robot may in fact be better off making more high-goals. But it’s not just the attachment method which is important; the thing which can make or break the effectiveness of a climbing mechanism is the speed at which the robot can be lifted off the ground to the desired height. The most effective method of doing this is by using a PTO (Power take-off) from one or both of the drive gearboxes, as it enables the use of the drive trains motor power to lift the robot, reducing motor count which reduces weight and making the climb extremely quick. With this in mind, and with the new off the shelf offerings from ANDYMARK and West Coast Products it is highly likely we will extensive use of PTO’s in future climbing/lifting challenges (Obviously a lot are being used already) Also consider that some recent climbing games such as 2010 and 2013, the utilisation of a grappling hook device would not have enabled the full climb to occur, or at least not without greater complexity.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that 118’s grappling hook is the most inspirational feat of the 2016 season as there are plenty of other highly effective climbers some with arguably with higher reliability. Many new unique climbers will no doubt be seen at championship, but 118's will definitely go down in the history books as one of the greatest.

You are inferring that I think its inspirational because of the benefits of using such a hook, including the use of PTO's, etc.
I'm actually not and already understand the benefits and methods you mention.

I would still argue that it is the most inspirational feat in 2016. Many of the other team's lifts this year have been done before in at least some similar fashion. Grappling hooks are what you see in Batman movies and conceptual thoughts that teams in the past may have joked about.
But to actually do it and make it look possible to replicate? Inspirational.

The idea of using a PTO was an inspirational feat back in 2010 because it was never really done before, let alone thought of by most other teams. That would be my choice of greatest inspirational feat back then.