Poll: Wide or Narrow Chassis?

[Sconrad]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

Impossible is such a strong word.

I have 3 robots, all 6-wheel low center drive at 119 pounds:
Bot 1: Heavier in front by 10 pounds, 21" from center wheel to edge of heavy end bumper
Bot 2: Perfectly balanced, 44" long
Bot 3: Heavier in rear by 10 pounds, 21" from center wheel to edge of heavy end bumper.

The bots are lined up on the 88" ramp Bot 1 (heavy end in), Bot 2 (in the middle), Bot 3 (also heavy end in). Bot 1 takes up 21.5", the center wheel is 0.5" from the edge of the ramp. Bot 2 takes up 44 inches. Bot 3 is like Bot 1.

21.5 + 44 + 21.5 = 87 inches. They fit.

Oh, and Bot 2 turned sideways on the ramp before Bots 1 and 3 positioned themselves, now you could fit Andy Baker on there too.

Oh, and all three bots are really 37 inches long, not 38, so there's extra room.

Still Impossible?

I'm not sure I understand your math. Are you proposing that Bots 1 and 3 have their lighter side hanging off of the side of the ramp? If Bot 1 and 3 take 21.5 inches, than they can't be 38 inches long and not have some of their chassis over the edge of the bridge. While they would still stay on the bridge I think (the center of gravity is above the bridge), 37 inches per bot would not give any extra space, just some more breathing room. Even if you assume that Bot 2 followed the length restrictions and fits itself in 38 inches, or 28 inches if it turned sideways first, you are still just giving yourself a couple more inches from falling. While I agree that balancing a ramp of three 37" robots is technically possible, the situation you outlined is so specific and difficult to accomplish without pushing a robot off the ramp, that I don't think the possibility holds any probability. I could just be misinterpreting the situation you are outlining, if so, please correct me.

To quote Stephen J Gould, "I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms." While it is possible to balance 3 long robots on a ramp, I would guess that you can safely assume that you have your chances of a three-robot bridge drastically reduced to the point of extreme improbability with three long robots.

That being said, I personally hesitate to support a wide robot chassis for reasons of tippability.