Hey guys, need a couple suggestions if any, lol. I'm a college student and in need of an idea. Taking a class this semester that requires my team and I to assemble a robot that can maneuver a course, pick up a 2 lb block that is in a hole, and carry it back to the bottom of the hill, set it down, and drive back to the start. there are a couple of videos on youtube from last years teams if interested. But we are having one issue. We are trying to figure out something inexpensive, soft, and can grab onto obstacles. We also have to be able to control 4 lbs sliding down a 2 foot tall, 30 degree hill. I've got a picture of the robot below as well as a link to the youtube video. The wheels are about 3.5 inches tall, so with tires we were shooting for around 4 inches, the total robot can't be anymore than 5 inches tall. Also, the robot has been painted and cleaned up a bit, this was the initial assembly. It is now flat black, and all the wires are tucked away and hopefully will be encased within the week, being that the competition is on the 30th. Now that you have the background, back to the original question, any ideas for some tread?

Most original from last year
Compilation of Last Year and Winning run

 

They make a rubber compound in a spray can that you can buy at home depot to spray on the handles of your hand tools to make them easier to grip. I have no idea how sticky that is, but you could test spray some and try it. Might work to spray the wheels with that.

 

I don't know if i'd want to spray that onto the plastic on the wheels, one reason being we do need about another 1/4 in of spacing to be able to clear some obstacles. Never even thought about that stuff. May be able to put some rubber around them and then spray them with that....hmmmm