Magnets allowed?¿?

[josh_johnson]

The problem with magnets is not that they can interfere with the radio modems, but that a changing magnetic field will create a current flow through wire I don't know how much current this would induce, but it could possibly be enough to mess with the pwm signals or other electronics of other robots. You may have to be careful to avoid this if you use a powerful magnet.

I found this website which has one magnet with 115 lbs. of holding force while weighing less than a pound for about $130. With a few of these, the hard part about hanging on the bar would be finding a way to release the robot at the end of the match.

[ShadowKnight]

magnets change the way that electrons move so that could possibly interfere with the radio signals as previosuly mentioned. It could also interfere with the function of other robots assuming that the magnet was that powerful...some thoughts to consider...

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by josh_johnson

The problem with magnets is not that they can interfere with the radio modems, but that a changing magnetic field will create a current flow through wire I don't know how much current this would induce, but it could possibly be enough to mess with the pwm signals or other electronics of other robots. You may have to be careful to avoid this if you use a powerful magnet.

Even with VERY powerful magnets, it would be VERY difficult to induce enough voltage in anything to cause interference. It would take ALOT of gauss. and remember 1/x^2 rule. Anybody care to work out some Emag? Maxwell's equations Mmmmm...

[josh_johnson]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

Even with VERY powerful magnets, it would be VERY difficult to induce enough voltage in anything to cause interference. It would take ALOT of gauss. and remember 1/x^2 rule. Anybody care to work out some Emag? Maxwell's equations Mmmmm...

I'm not sure about the exact amount induced, but I did have problems with using my cell phone when i got within about 6 in. to a foot of a magnet that came from an old hard drive. It did not cause problems with interference, but caused my phone to reset itself.

You probably wouldn't interfere with another robot from several feet away, but depending on the location of the magnet, it might cause problems when the robots are very close to each other.