Without the bumper requirement, it would seem that you could actually have two bots that were tethered to essentially still be one bot.
Whether or not it is really feasible, this would be a fun idea to toss around.
Imagine all the brains still on the parent bot controlling another through a 5-8 ft tether.
My initial idea is having your main be a stacker and the secondary collect totes nearby and align them.
OKGO
I also thought about this and love the idea.
The downside would be making sure you don’t get in your alliance member’s way and with a long tether between the bots you could run into some problems.
You’re going to have a lot of voltage loss in a 5-8 foot tether.
I heard of this idea, and I see it being difficult to manage the tether cable but if a team can design a device that keeps the tether cable from being ran over and being ripped out. I’m excited to see who will pull it off.
It’s an interesting concept but I think the field is going to be congested with just 3 robots, let alone 4+.
The rules viability of this idea was just confirmed in Q&A
Q. If two separate systems, including drive systems and mechanisms, are placed on the field joined by a tether and share the same electrical system, does that meet the definition of a ROBOT and is it legal (provided all other rules are met)? I.e. can you have 2 robots joined over a tether?
2015-01-08 by FRC0225A. If all other rules are met, it is allowable to have two separate MECHANISMS linked by a flexible tether. This would not be considered two ROBOTS, but one. As you point out, the two MECHANISMS need to use the same electrical system, along with a single control system, battery, and meet all other requirements. Of course, you will want to make sure your tether does not entangle the other ROBOTS on your ALLIANCE.
The practical viability is still up for debate.