[EricH]

Originally Posted by mlah

I am not sure I really see the connection other than both use tape measures.

Back in 2002, you got bonus points for your robot touching the ground inside a certain area. The problem was, you got more points for having said robot in a different area, half the field away. Many teams used a "tether" device. Tape measures weren't legal for use... until Week 1 events, when a number of teams showed up with tape measures that were powered outwards by a motor. At that point, FIRST effectively gave up enforcing the rule (I forget if it was changed or not) and allowed tape measures. So, towards the end of each match, you saw tape measures extending out of robots along the floor. Guess what the competition you're proposing is? Extending tape measures.