Since the robot construction rules discuss costs for the robot itself.
Is the cost that is incurred in building a custom control box (joysticks, switches, pots, lights, bells, whistles, etc) supposed to be included in the $3,500 robot limit even though it is not part of the robot?
No, according to last years rules. The rules for 2005 have not been released yet, and may be different.
Wetzel
Ok, could not see a clear statement regarding that in last years rules. I’ll look for it again this season.
It’s never explicitly stated in the rules, however, somebody asks about it in Q/A every single year.