Arfa: I sympathise. Ive suggested in the past that the public might find robots more interesting if the terrain was more uneven - that is, if you could effectively do outdoor fights (e.g. in a quarry). I think it would shift the public mind set from armoured radio controlled cars [uncool] to development military combat machines [cool]. Ive never really been keen on the concept that the lower wedge wins the fight, which is often the case. I speak as someone with plans to build flippers, so Im not trying to be anti-wedgist.

Obviously this has two disadvantages: 1) most current robots couldnt cope, and 2) fighting over rough terrain could be a disaster until people have had some practice (plus its harder to get an audience to, other than by dumping obstacles on the existing arena floor). Id like to see it run in parallel for a bit, but I dont think well be in a position to abolish the existing format for a good while yet.

That said, its certainly true that attempts should be made to stop a robot grounding just because its not on an abolutely flat surface, but however tall the robot theres a chance that it might get trapped on a large-enough chunk of detritus/shrapnel. I dont think being stuck because your wheels are off the ground should be a fight-losing offence - although it does, and should, mean youre open to free attack from your opponent for a bit.

Robots getting stuck are dull; robots failing to fight properly because they cant navigate the arena are dull. Ram bots are not, of themselves, dull. (IMHO.)

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Fluppet