diff --git a/src/RumbleBot.java b/src/RumbleBot.java
index 2379a5e..1944f3c 100644
--- a/src/RumbleBot.java
+++ b/src/RumbleBot.java
@@ -6,9 +6,12 @@
 * Der Rover ist beim ersten Treffer zerstört. Wer überlebt am längsten?
 * docker run --rm -p 63187:63187 mediaeng/bots rumble
 */
-public class RumbleBot extends Bot{
+public class RumbleBot extends Bot
+{
     private String moves = "";
-    public static void main(String[] args) {
+    private boolean frontIsBlocked, backIsBlocked, leftIsBlocked, rightIsBlocked, trapped;
+    public static void main(String[] args) 
+    {
         Bot rumbleBot = new RumbleBot(args);
         rumbleBot.run();
     }
@@ -18,17 +21,61 @@ public class RumbleBot extends Bot{
     }
 
     //@TODO: add nextMove() logic
-    protected char nextMove(View view){
+    protected char nextMove(View view)
+    {
+        checkBarriers(view);
         return walk();
     }
 
     //@TODO: add walk() logic
-    private char walk() {
-        if(moves.isEmpty()){
+    private char walk() 
+    {
+        if(moves.isEmpty())
+        {
             moves += ' ';
         }
         char nextMove = moves.charAt(0);
         moves = moves.substring(1);
         return nextMove;
     }
+
+
+    //checks if we are in the line of fire of other players. returns true if that is the case. bot should try it's best to move away
+    private boolean inDanger(View ciew)
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    //returns the index number in the string at the specified "coordinate"
+    //x is left to right, y is top to bottom
+    private int IndexAt(int width, int x, int y) 
+    {
+        return width * y + x;
+    }
+
+    //resets the list of currently planned moves to be empty. intended for when a change in information necessitates an immediate change in plans
+    private void resetMoves()
+    {
+        moves = "";
+    }
+
+    //sets several variables based on the bot's current position that help with navigating
+    private void checkBarriers(View view)
+    {
+        int centerCoordinates = view.width / 2;
+        int centerIndex = IndexAt(view.width, centerCoordinates, centerCoordinates);
+
+        int frontIndex = IndexAt(view.width, centerCoordinates, centerCoordinates - 1);
+        int backIndex = IndexAt(view.width, centerCoordinates, centerCoordinates + 1);
+        int leftIndex = centerIndex - 1;
+        int rightIndex = centerIndex + 1;
+
+
+        //these need to be changed to account for obstacles etc.
+        frontIsBlocked = view.data.charAt(frontIndex) == '*';
+        backIsBlocked = view.data.charAt(backIndex) == '*';
+        leftIsBlocked = view.data.charAt(leftIndex) == '*';
+        rightIsBlocked = view.data.charAt(rightIndex) == '*';
+        trapped = frontIsBlocked && backIsBlocked && leftIsBlocked && rightIsBlocked;
+    }
 }