[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

And as for energy input, I assume that a push start is forbidden, but what about a ramp start? That's the robot's gravitational potential energy being used up, rather than the robot's electrical energy. (Incidentally, the batteries are a form of chemical energy storage; surely you don't mean to exclude them under the no chemicals rule....) And while we're at it, you didn't say that capacitors aren't allowed—say hello to my 100-aerogel-capacitor array at 250 V; who needs a battery? Similarly (though they wouldn't be too useful), photovoltaics aren't restricted either.

And if you really want to get "out there", and had a budget to match, there's no specification as to the nature of the test surface. If I happened to have, for example, a few thousand Nd-Fe-B magnets, and a very long evacuated metal tube, I could fashion a maglev vehicle powered by a linear induction motor. I wonder how much energy one could store in 10 pounds (less the VEX controller and motor) of ultracapacitors? It's an inside-out railgun operating in a vacuum, so it ought to be interesting to play with.

Ok! Ok! Ok! Look I am changing the rules to no voltage limit and no amp limit. When I said chemicals I meant like no baking soda and vinegar ideas, no sort of explosive to fire it.

Ramps are out of the question it must start and end on a FLAT (or very close to flat) concrete, cement solid floor. With no grease or anything on it.

Please stop over analizing the rules because you need to see that it is a very simple thing. Loop holes are looked down upon if you really take it to the extreme.