Practice Robot?

[DonRotolo]

Teams that build 2 robots have a distinct advantage in competition.

Ask yourself this: Let's say you were given a complete set of detailed plans for your robot on Day 1. That is, all the dimensions, layouts and mechanisms are fully tested and worked out, all materials are on hand, you just have to fabricate the items and assemble them. How long would that take?

Let's say a week, just for discussion.

OK then: Build and optimize your robot in 5 weeks, then build a second identical* one - for the competition - in the remaining week. Easy-peasy.

Use the "prototype" robot for driver practice, programming, and so on, while your competition bot sits in its bag, all happy and clean. This is how you win competitions.

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What keeps every team from doing this?
1. Budget. Many teams can't afford 2 of everything.
2. Time: Many teams barely finish robot #1 in 6 weeks.
3. People: Some teams struggle finding people who can make and build.

All are solvable problems, IF the team wants to solve them.

*Minus any imperfections, of course!