Quote:
<R35> The use of bumpers is strongly encouraged. Bumpers can reduce damage to robots when they contact another robot or field elements. If you choose to use the specified bumpers, you will have both a more robust robot and the traction advantage of a heavier robot. Bumper height has been specified so that robots will make contact bumper-to-bumper and so that the balls will be pushed rather than pulled under the robots. Note that robot wheel/tracks must be properly positioned relative to the bumpers to avoid trouble climbing the ramp. Obviously harvesting balls from the floor or launching balls along the floor must be done through gaps in bumpers or over bumpers. As the bumper mounts are being designed, please think about carrying the robot. The bumpers do not make good handles. Please do not "lawyer" the bumper rule - it is meant to help. If used, bumpers must satisfy the following constraints:
Bumpers must be designed as shown in figure 5-1
Bumpers must be removable so that they can be weighed separately from the robot
Bumpers must weigh, in total, no more than 15 pounds including any fasteners that attach them to the robot
Bumpers must not include sections that weigh more than 3 ounces per inch (i.e. no short bumpers with giant heavy fasteners)
Bumpers must use a stacked pair of 2-1/2 inch "pool noodles" as the bumper material
Bumpers must use 3/4 inch plywood backing 5 inches tall as the bumper structure to attach the bumper ("pool noodles") to the robot
Bumpers must be covered with a tough smooth cloth (1000 denier Cordura PlusŪ strongly recommended)
At the start of the match bumpers may extend outside the horizontal starting dimensions for the robot (as specified in Rule <R05>) by up to a maximum of 3-1/2 inches per side, nothing other than pool noodlesand cloth may extend more than 1 inch beyond the robot boundaries
Bumpers must be positioned on the robot so that they remain between 2-1/2 inches and 8-1/2 inches above the floor
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how does this allow for customization? i mean they kinda limit your ability to design.