[Rick TYler]

This came up in another thread recently, and the more I think about it the more concerned I am. The designs this year range up to 15 feet tall, and some hold multiple 8-pound tetras. These robots are going to fall over, and some are going to fall outside the arena.

Who among us is happy about the risks to our students from falling robots and tetras? I think the rigid application of the safety-glasses rule is a great first step, but I think we should also require hardhats (or similar headgear like bicycle helmets) on anyone within five meters of the arena when robots are practicing or competing. Hardhats cost less than $7 each.

Any opinions?