[phrontist]

Well, I can't imagine this hasn't been talked about before, but extensive searching of the CD archives yeilds nothing (don't bother linking to a thread I didn't find, because I've already started this one by-golly so we might as well talk about it.)

I know some teams have built quasi-functional self-blancing devices ("transporters") using the FIRST kit motors, so apparently they do have enough torque. And I'm certain that the FIRST PICs are up to the job. So is there something I'm missing? Some crippling inadequacy? Has someone done it? Any ideas why not?

In doing research of past games I realize now that many of them would make a self-balancing robot a poor design choice. This year, however, could have been an exception. And besides, you'd think someone would do it for the "Because I $@#$@#$@#$@#-well-can" factor.

It just seems odd that in a competition started by Mr.Segway himself, no one has gone for the inverted pendulum design. It would certainly be manueverable, if implemented correctly, though I'm not certain about climbing. It would also be able to reach very high without tipping, as compared to other designs.