[sanddrag]

I predict that FIRST is done with bars. We had it in '01 and now in '03. FIRST is also done with balls as many teams have mastered ball handling over the years. Also, I think FIRST is done with ramps but not inclines alltogether. I have a strong feeling there will be stairs. 2001 kind of matched the Segway with the idea of balancing and I think 2004 will be inspired by the I-Bot and we will have to climb stairs. Next years game will promote very complex and manipulative subsytems that will be useful in competition. This year's game somewhat backfired in that the complex stackers did poorly and the basic drive pushbots did well. There was little design inspiration as a result of this year's game. I know that will significantly change next year. Also, I have a feeling next year will encourage lifting something to an extreme height. Too many robots had high CG problems and this is a key challenge that needs to be overcome in a tall design.

/me wants stairs in 2004 game.