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Unread 28-10-2003, 12:00
KenWittlief KenWittlief is offline
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Team Role: Engineer
 
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Location: Rochester, NY
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from an engineering perspective

given that you want maximum stablilty => widest footprint + low center of gravity

and you want light weight for max acceleration

and you want an enclose suface so nothing can get at your bots inards

then the 'best shape' would be a hemisphere that can turn on its center axis:

1. a sphere has the greatest enclosed volume for amount of material used => light weight
2. a circular chassis cant get cornered or stuck against any object
3. cutting the sphere in half gives you a wide footprint on the floor
4. it would be difficult for other bots to push you around, due to your curved outer hull.