During which phase do teams typically brainstorm ideas for their robot's functions?

The design phase is when teams typically brainstorm ideas for their robot's functions. This is a critical part of the engineering process where teams conceptualize and develop their strategies and functionality for the robot based on the challenges and objectives outlined in the competition rules. During this phase, teams evaluate various designs, consider how different mechanisms can work together, and decide on the most effective approaches to achieve their goals.

In contrast, the autonomous phase focuses on the predetermined actions a robot performs without human intervention, while the competition phase involves live gameplay where these designs are put to the test. The inspection phase is primarily concerned with ensuring that the robot meets competition standards and regulations, rather than ideation. Hence, brainstorming about robot functions is specifically associated with the design phase, as this is where creative thinking and planning happen.