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Unread 06-01-2009, 01:39
R3V34L R3V34L is offline
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Re: Propulsion that does not involve driving wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH View Post
I said nothing whatsoever about reaching outside robot boundaries. The entire robot must fit within the boundaries, and anything inside the boundaries must follow all applicable rules.

A fan or vacuum is not necessarily violating any rules, but when it is used to add traction (deliberately), then I would call intent and have it removed.
Correct, and it could be argued that the effect of the cannon is to change things outside of your boundaries, just as the effect of the fan is to change how your normal force is calculated.

Here I would say that traction is your coefficient of friction, (which is fixed by not tampering with the wheels or letting anything touch the ground) whereas the fan is affecting Normal Force. Yes the force of friction is changed, but not because of any change in traction.