[Betty_Krocker]

Pneumatics doesnt have to be slow...
It all depends on the weight of things and how far you have to get them.
The good thing about pneumatics, is once you supply air, AN object is going to move. The reason I say AN object is going to move, is depending if it was all rigged up correctly, it should work. The downfall to pneumatics is when using cylinders to raise heavy or large objects, they require enormous amounts of air. Motors on the other hand are reliable, and you know are going to work when you supply power. Downfall to motors is that you can burn one out. As everybody knows, you dont want to release the magic smoke... (you can't burn out a cylinder!!!)

To make this short, it all depends and the wieghts and mounting places of both...
Also what system would the team use if you guys did in fact use a motor to raise the arm?