[KenWittlief]

some (most?) regionals do not allow powered carts, scooters or other motorized vehicles in the pit area or along side the playfield.

During a competition the pit area and the paths to the playfield are often filled shoulder to shoulder with teams and crews trying to get to or from the playfield, along with spectators who want to see whats going on in the pits.

Having a motorized cart would be awesome, but I think in this case the risks outweight the cool-factor.

Look at it this way: FIRST requires plexiglass shields, steel railings all around the playfield, and for all students and refs near the field to wear safety glasses in order to drive a well specified and inspected robot during the event. Why would they then allow the same students to drive an experimental robot cart around in the pit area, right next to students and spectators, with no restrictions, inspections, or safety measures of any kind?