Over the bump or under the tower

[thefro526]

My personal suggestion to you is, Design the Robot to go over the Bumps. The tunnel is easily blocked.

I have a Personal Motto when It comes to decisions like this:

It's Always Better To Be Able to Do something and Not Have to, than to Have to Do Something And Not Be able to.

[BrendanB]

Over the bump. Especially with 2 inches of clearance if you make a robot 28 inches wide and with bumpers attached, that will be a pain to get through especially when coming back towards you.

[scottydoh]

My vote would have to be neither also, but since that wasn't an option I voted over. I like the analogy that someone made to foosball. I think that the best strategy is if everyone stays in their aisle and just fowards the ball to the next section. But, I do agree that it is a good idea to have the flexability to cross the border in an emergency situation. 810 will certianly not be trying to cross the bump, but the option will definitely be there.

[the man]

We are planing on going under the tower but use the bump as a second option.
I dont think the height restriction of the tunnel is to bad. It you go over the bump your going to want a low center of gravity which limits your height or at least where your weight is at.

[yodameister]

Originally Posted by thefro526

My personal suggestion to you is, Design the Robot to go over the Bumps. The tunnel is easily blocked.

I have a Personal Motto when It comes to decisions like this:

It's Always Better To Be Able to Do something and Not Have to, than to Have to Do Something And Not Be able to.

Then based on your quote, you should design to do both as there may be times when you want/need to go through the tunnel.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

I can see being able to retrieve a ball that is in the tunnel as important.

The Kickoff showed how easily a ball can (and will) roll under there.

[yodameister]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

I can see being able to retrieve a ball that is in the tunnel as important.

The Kickoff showed how easily a ball can (and will) roll under there.

That was my thought as well

[Taylor]

Do a cost/benefit analysis of going over the bump vs. going under the tower. Having a clear and objective reason to pursue one or the other, balanced with your team's resources and abilities, will help your team decide on a system that matches your overall design.
Having said that, and having done that with our team, we're bumping, and according to the poll it looks like most others are as well.
However, don't base your decisions on what is most popular. As JVN said (paraphrased), the cool factor doesn't win competitions.

[KrakatoaCoo]

i'd use over bump as most teams would block the tunnels but having both on your robot gives an advantage

[Chris is me]

I think if your strategy revolves around crossing the zones, strictly going under the tower won't cut it. That's too easy to defend.

[JesseK]

Over the bumps. Conquer them like they're flat!

[wilsonmw04]

The best answer is both. I don't see the tower and the bumps as being mutually exclusive.

[Liu_yiang]

While going through the tunnel may be faster, it is prone to blocking and any attempt at hanging is very very hard. Not to mention tunnels put even more size restrictions than the restrictions themselves.

[TheWhiteReaper]

My team is deciding that we don't WANT to go over bumps but if we HAVE to (in the event of an allied robot being disabled) you should BE ABLE TO. Our drive train will allow us to go over but we will ONLY if we have to.

[jgannon]

For those designing to go under the tunnel, how are you dealing with the consequent visibility issues?

Originally Posted by czeke

you yourself could be trapped inside by opposition robots at both entrances

Is that actually a bad thing? If your opponents use two robots to shut down one, the rest of your alliance has a whole lot of field to work with.