The only stored energy that a robot may start with in a FIRST Robotics Competition, is in the 12V battery. From that point there are a few methods of converting the battery's energy into other types of stored / potential energy.
Each team has a compressor that is allowed to be built into the robot. This compressor can compress air to 120 pounds per square inch and that air can be used to drive pneumatics to push components in any desired manner.
The robot may also store energy by deforming a specific component, most likely a spring or rubber band type material like surgical tubing. Energy can be built up to release in a quick burst in this configuration.
I expect to see teams building one of these devices this year to kick the ball down the field. Leave a comment if you think one is better than the other, and please share your reasoning.
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