[Zflash]

I don't like bumpers and 1319 has only used them the years where they were mandatory. I agree with everything Tom has said above and could not have said it better. Instead I add an alternative to the alliance identification issue. Right now every robot has a required signal light that arguably evryone can see from the stands. You know when your robot is not moving look to see what the signal light is doing right? So why not have interchangeable robot signal lights that are either blue or red much like back in 2003 and before as manyy have already suggested. A link below shows a great possibility.

http://www.ab.com/signaling/towerlights/855t.html