Going for those non-zero-sum ranking points was essential.
Essential items:
- Durable drive train, capable of repeatedly driving over category B & D (terrain) at a reasonable (or insanely fast) speed, reasonably low CoG (preferably within bumper zone), and park on batter
- Fast boulder pickup and reasonably short cycle time (20s), with reliable low goal scoring (or feed to a high goal shooter)
- Plenty of driver practice (10 hours minimum)
Plus three or more of these:
- reasonably reliable autonomous crossing
- Ability to drive under low bar
- Ability to cross additional category of defenses (most likely category A, portcullis/CDF)
- High goal, reasonably fast (3-5 sec extra), preferably from batter or outer works.
- Good defensive ability, with enough height to block many high-goal shooters
Above MCC, but great for WINNING regionals:
- Scaling
- Auto goal score
- Double auto goal score.
There were a number of drive systems that were workable (tank tread, pneumatic wheels, and many solid wheels). The best all-around manipulator concept was the popular intake wheels at the end of a long arm that could extend over the bumpers, hold the boulder, and feed it back out. With a little careful design, this same arm could operate the CDF and portcullis. Some sort of side rails or other system (e.g. built into the pickup arm) to make going under the portcullis a clean run is also needed.