[Gdeaver]

Do first robots even need suspension? The game is played on a flat smooth field at low velocity. Now if First brings in a couple tons of rock and gravel for the playing field we need to talk suspension. For 2005 the basic problem was CG for many robots. Instead of spending time on active suspension, investigate arm designs that lower the CG. This can be done by keeping all the motors down in the frame and looking into materials that are lighter then metal. In 2004 and 2005 our team used composites for the arm and ball grabber. The weight saving were substantial. However, using composites takes different fabrication techniques than metal and need to be explored in the preseason. Composite and CG research would probably be much more productive.