My team is having a lot of fun with the Tetrix minibot. Enough so that I am going to see if we can add it to the curriculum for next year. Check out their first try here –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y94Yhm1dhv0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Since then they have halved the time.
Can you explain the deployment and how the minibot is staying attached to the pole?
Are magnets used to hold the minbot to the pole?
Either that, or a Ferromagnetic particle allignment device.
I see what you did there!
Sounds like you are on the right track, keep up the good work.