You will need pool noodles to construct robot bumpers for the 2018 game. Among other things, this enhances the buoyancy of your robot.*

Just like in the 2017 rules, pool noodles must be approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and round, hexagonal, or petal-shaped in cross section. They may be either solid or hollow. However, all pool noodles used on a single set of bumpers must be of the same construction. As an example, you won’t be allowed to use a petal-shaped hollow noodle in the top portion of your bumper and a round solid pool noodle in the bottom of your bumper.

A petal-shaped cross section looks like this:

As a rule of thumb, we don’t release robot rules before kickoff. In this case, though, we think pool noodles for many teams are easier to get now than in January.

Frank

*Please note that I didn't say robot buoyancy would actually be a desirable characteristic.