Yes guys, more rules will further the creativity involved building robots. Especialy the rule neglected pneumatics are really in need.

I just would think that if a tool is needed to open/close the bottle/dump valve everybody uses the same tool. But dont restict the people to that. Acces hatches or just open holes in the armor do the trick as wel. Those served us for years and baring some stupidities without any serious effect it has proven rather save.

Just make sure the techcheckers and the arena marshal agree on the safety aspect of a bottle/dump valve setup. Thats enough if you ask me.
Of course, sooner or later somebody can turn up with an inherently unsafe setup, and then its to the techcheckers to advise the event organisers that the machine cant compete with that setup.

But dont forget, the machines, even the ants, are build to destroy armored metal machines. Those tools of destruction we create arent cuddly teddybears or RC controled foamcovered bumpercars.