How to get minibot down?

[implosionprez]

Our robot has the Mindstorms brick on it, with the DC motor controller. It is a bit slower than a minibot without the brick on it (obviously it adds weight), but it solves the issue of starting the minibot at the beginning of the end game, stopping when the minibot hits the top of the tower, and reversing the minibot slowly down the pole.

[Katie_UPS]

Limit switches seem to work for us. Limit switch that makes the motor(s) run when the 'bot is on the pole, and a limit switch on the top for when the minibot hits the top (turns off motor(s) and coasts down). Only problem with this option is that coasting and falling may seem the same, but one is far more deadly for your minibot.