[Chris Fultz]

This is the first year we have built two robots. Except for the new electronics, thse are pretty low cost machines - square aluminum channel, the kitbot chassis, pvc rollers and some lexan.

In general, it was a little more expensive for teams to build 2 this year, since nobody had a second (aka last years) set of controls, but N1 had a discount for teams to buy the second set at a lower cost.

We have thought of building a second robot for several years and decided this year was the year to do it. So far it has proven valuable -- we were able to get a running machine quicker, programming and electronics got quicker access, and we we able to make some improvements for strength, weight and looks for the final version.

For example, R1 is heavier (about 10 pounds over), has some extra holes (mounting locations that moved), and it has 'homemade' belts.