Modular Bots??

Official answer:

Re: Weight of swapable subsystems Posted: Jan 10, 2003 8:02 AM

The total weight of the robot in the starting box at each match shall not exceed 130 pounds. You may build your robot so that it consists of a base unit with multiple subset operating mechanisms. The total weight of your base unit and all your subset mechanisms may exceed 130 pounds. You must present all subset mechanisms at weigh-in. At inspection, each base/subset combination will be weighed to confirm to the FIRST Technician that no combination will exceed 130 pounds. All subsets must be presented at inspection and must pass inspection. Remember, that the total cost of the base and all subset mechanisms cannot exceed the requirements of Robot Rule K3

Yeah, you were right :] Actually, I think this is great. If your robot truly is faster, better, cheaper (what we’re going for this year), and you’re done with two weeks left to practice, you might as well add a simple function to your robot in the time until ship date, even if your primary systems are already at weight, so you have the option of another strategy.

I hope we do a modular bot this year.

See, the whole idea behind modular bots is that you can be more flexible when you’re looking for an alliance or one is decided for you.

Let’s say you see a great bulldozer-like bot, and you have a bulldozer thing but there’s is better…

this way instead of using that, you can swap over to something else, and in essence, get a much better alliance.

Just remember all tools have to be pretty good :wink: