Physics

Besides the size and shape of the components, another factor that determines the design of a chassis is physics. The following are almost always desireable:

• small overall size: this means less chance of getting caught and colliding with objects.
• smaller moment of inertia: two designs can have the same overall mass but one has a significantly smaller moment of inertia. A smaller moment of inertia means the robot can turn quicker and more accurately.
• lower center of mass: two designs can have the same overall mass, but one has a lower center of mass. A lower center of mass means more stability and less tendency to topple or roll-over.
• wheel size and placement: wheel size and placement can significantly