[FTC]: Unlimited raw materials. Welding. Wow!

[Enderbot]

I would say this rules has opened new opportunities, but also a Pandora's box. First off it does allow the use of material to be milled and machine in a way as general robotics field would. Though this can be weighted per team as it can create gap between a sponsored team and a regular fundraiser team. You can probably think of it as the difference of a CNC vs a Dremel. Another point seen here is the idea of what is the line for a raw material. Sure you can use aluminum blocks, plastic, etc, but what about glass, wood, ceramics, and rubber? Last thing I would to point out is the safety issue. Already a robot has a risk of crushing another team's product. Adding to that, the new materials could make it possible for more risk to other teams and audiences.

As much as I like this rule and it creates more ideas for my last year in FTC, it does create concerns and gaps between teams. The solution in my opinion would be to add limitations to material types and size of raw material blocks. Also the attachment rule is all, but disappeared. Which also allows people to possibly attach items in unsafe or non-quality ways.