[EricH]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

[*]eliminate the need for crates (for 90% of teams)

Hmm...I think I'll take robot-drying lessons from dlavery.

Seriously, transporting the robot without the crate is difficult at best. I mean, you need at least an SUV, if not a full-size van. Plus you need the tools. Now, you put them all in a crate and they are protected. Remove that requirement, and suddenly your shipping costs are reduced, but you need someone with a large vehicle to take robot and tools, then the people that vehicle can hold are shifted to others...not to mention that fact that if you use an open trailer, the weather may get to it (not that heat could not affect the robot in a van or anything), and then you may need a bailer for the robot. So now teams need lots of spare parts, and their costs go up due to making them. Plus extra transportation. You get the picture.

Also, wasn't this rule used way back in the day? If so, why did FIRST change it (if you know)?