Designing a climbing mechanism for 2013... a humbling experience

[Tottanka]

Originally Posted by Leav

Hi everyone,

Just needed a place to vent a bit really... I've always thought of myself as a creative and resourceful mechanical engineer, but i've got to admit: this year's climbing challenge has got me stumped so far.

I usually have at least an idea for how the challenge can be accomplished, but the 30 point climb has eluded me thus far.

I'd love to hear from other technical people from the first community: has anyone managed to come up with a climbing concept that you would consider simple and/or robust?

I have no interest in knowing what the idea is (I'd like to solve the puzzle on my own, with the team), just to know either way if people feel like they have found a simple solution or not.

I am constantly thinking of the 2010 climbing challenge where I completely missed the "simple" grab&twist solution, and can't shake the feeling that I'm missing a similar one here.

Good luck and may the force be with you.

-Leav

Basically, every single idea iv'e heard or thought of so far has a huge risk, and in most of them that won't be something we are willing to take, strategically speaking.

Than again, I have been known to miss some ingenious stuff in bots that just seemed to work for other teams. (2010 climbers, 2008 shooters/collectors, 2012 stingers...)