A couple things regarding robot damage....1. Not screwing in tethers is a start, but just remember that a serial cable pulled at right angles to it's connector *will* break off. And IFI repairs are pretty pricey.
2. The problem with an FRC robot breaking is not that its not durable, but thats its so big. A good example: go-carts. If you look at a good go-cart, it's pretty well built. However, when I ram my go-cart into a wall, then roll it down a hill, I expect it to be a little worse for wear. Thats why VEX and RC stuff doesn't break; its too light. And most large mechanical devices have pretty high strengths vs. loads. We have weight limits however, and a rolled steel frame is simply not an option. Aluminum is still really, really strong, but it'll have to do.
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