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I kept thinking,how would robots know when to switch directions? That is when I realized that robots do not have to crash head on but overtaking is sufficient.

This is one case where I am glad that I did not read HN comments before solving. My solution is the same as moftz and other left leaners. :) First iteration I made the speed be four times the slow robot but of course double speed is fine.

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Is it possible to make them go inward to each other instead of chasing?

no, because they don't have any information about the other robot and they can not tell whether they are walking towards the other parachute or walking away from both parachutes because they are somewhere on an infinite line.

I don't think there is without a counter and an if statement. I had this question once and came up with the two robots oscillating around their parachute until they came across another parachute at which point it would stop and wait for the other to return.

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