Do you think it would be a good idea to have a small electric winch attached to the tower to safely let the robots down? The winches can be purchased for as little as $70.00 at Wallmart. It seems to me 150 lbs robot high in the air is a recipe for disaster especially during prototype.
For competition, you’re required to use the belay system if any part of your robot is in zone 3 (i.e. higher than the second crossbar). For practice/prototyping, having some kind of belay system of your own is probably a good decision, even when climbing if you can do so safely, to prevent catastrophic failures.
That could be a great idea for your build space/testing. On the field, however, I don’t think it will be allowed. They belaying system is in place to help with that.
Also, if you’re planning on climbing to level 3, it would be a good idea to incorporate into your lifting mechanism an assist for lower the robot. For example, if climbing with pneumatics, managing the airflow when you empty the tanks may give you a slower release and lowering of the robot.
I could see a little time being used to safely bring down 3 robots. I was thinking it could be used to lower up to 3 robots at a time to save time.
FIRST would have to approve such a thing to be used at the events.