Are we allowed to use helium?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Alan,
Whenever a team used a part that was not covered by the rules, the inspectors used the flow chart to determine it's legality. Remember that materials were far more restricted in the past than they are today. Teams actually used packing material in the KOP because anything in the kit was legal.

Tristan, how can you make a distinction between air and other gases when the rules do not. The rules speak to "air pressure" which is by definition a mixture of gases. Gas shocks are specifically excluded, other devices that contain pressurized gas are not excluded and therefore not legal for use on the robot. As to robot rules, I have electronic copies back to 2001 and in that year materials you could use on the robot were limited...

The materials that you are allowed to use to build the robot are limited. There are three sources of
materials:
Sources of Robot Materials Location
1. Parts found in the Kit of Parts Appendix B, Inventory list
2. Parts from SMALL PARTS, INC. SMALL PARTS, INC. Catalog
Appendix D, Ordering information
3. Parts from Additional Hardware List Appendix C

Now I don't have a Small Parts Catalog from that time but I don't remember them selling pneumatic tires. Wheels provided in the kit (and listed in Appendix C) were specifically "5"-8" Ø, Up to 6 non-pneumatic".
As to the 1 atm, will someone please explain how a deflated mylar balloon would magically fill up if the pressure inside and outside the balloon are the same? Assuming that gravity and temperature are ignored, convince me that helium gas would magically move to the interior of the balloon and fill it with no other force acting on it. And if that is the case, why would the balloon deflate when it is opened? (Ignoring of course the lighter than air helium gas)