Robo-One UK Saturday 28th June 2008

[sbsshadow]

Did you get your ISOBOT from the USA Sonic ?

I am looking at them on ebay from the states, and thinking about cancelling my Amazon Order...

Whats your thoughts on that ?

Thanks

Steve

[Orac]

Are you sure you wouldn't be happier with something like a Robonova over the Isobot?

There is a big community of people who have already modded them in almost every concievable way and you can buy one straight from here.

http://robosavvy.com/store/product_info ... ucts_id/79

Just a thought.

Pete

[sbsshadow]

Wish I had the extra pennies ......

My wife would leave me if I told her I got to get that one !

[BillB]

OMG not long till the June event. Time to try and get my robot to stand

Have we agreed what events there will be yet? Orac - will you be able bring your fabulous football pitch? And NovaOne - will you be able to bring those masterfully engineered steps (I should be able to climb the steps this time, but descending them is proving to be more difficult then climbing them).

I suggest that we schedule the events in the order of least destruction, and the events requiring accuracy first.

Perhaps:
1. The Sprint. (which is deceptively difficult)
2. *The Assault Course.
3. Stair Climb
4. **Freestyle & Demo's
5. Soccer
6. Kung Fu

*In November Limor suggested that the Sprint could be made more interesting if there were some hurdles to pass over/under/around. Good idea... it will make a difficult event even more difficult. The more I think about it it will add an element of unpredictability, and make it more of an interesting spectator sport.

**I have suggested freestyle, incase anyone has some wonderful moves/sequences they would like to show. But is is optional since I know only to well how difficult it is to get the basic moves right. Perhaps StuartL could bring us the Snake and show it off there? And Sonics i-Sobot may excel here. The Robonova demo moves are always a crowd pleaser. Real shame Matt Denton can't make it.

Each event is optional because I know how challenging it is to enter all the events - but it would be great if we could have at least 2 robots in each event. Including the stair climb.

Comments? Thoughts?

[Robo1]

Bill good suggestion. I think that the events will be at lunch time so about 1'ish.

For the running race I like the idea. How about 1 or 2 boxes in the lane so that it's like a shicane that's identical in both lanes.

I'm still busy working away getting my bot's up and running

Bren

[BillB]

Great idea to use similar boxes - perhaps we could even have a small ramp. I am sure crawling over it will be allowed. Robanovas could even cartwheel over it!

So far as the event timing goes I think we should have at least 30 minutes between events. Especially after things like football. It will give the necessary time to fix/adjust/ and recharge batteries.

Look forward to seeing your bot. It is surprising how few moves you need for things like the Football and Stair Climb. For Football all I used (at the April meet) was a turn Left, Turn Right and a Sidestep. Don't worry about a fancy kick - just sidestep into the ball. For ascending the steps I have boiled it down to Nudge diagonally forward-left, and nudge diagonally forward-right and a climb step move. The nudge moves tend to drive the feet into the base of the step to that the feet line up nice and flush with the step, then all is left to do is to perform a canned step move. Voila - 2 events completed in 6 moves. (makes it sound easy)

[StuartL]

OMG not long till the June event. Time to try and get my robot to stand

This is a serious problem for me at the moment. Too many other issues need attention (two family cars off the road and one more has had a major brake failure yesterday) and the bot still isn't standing up. I'm this -> <- close but it's not done. Timetimetimetime.

Have we agreed what events there will be yet? Orac - will you be able bring your fabulous football pitch? And NovaOne - will you be able to bring those masterfully engineered steps (I should be able to climb the steps this time, but descending them is proving to be more difficult then climbing them).

So you can't stand but you can climb steps? Eeeeep.

I suggest that we schedule the events in the order of least destruction, and the events requiring accuracy first.

Can we schedule any events requiring standing up to be about 4 weeks later than the other events...?

Perhaps:
1. The Sprint. (which is deceptively difficult)
2. *The Assault Course.
3. Stair Climb
4. **Freestyle & Demo's
5. Soccer
6. Kung Fu

I think Matt's quadruped may excel at the sprint And the stair climb, too, if the stairs are wide enough. He's already got it picking its way through rough surfaces...

I think we should have 'wrestling' too. Different from kung fu in that contact and grappling moves are allowed and it's all about preventing your opponent getting up rather than knocking them over.

*In November Limor suggested that the Sprint could be made more interesting if there were some hurdles to pass over/under/around. Good idea... it will make a difficult event even more difficult. The more I think about it it will add an element of unpredictability, and make it more of an interesting spectator sport.

But infinitely more difficult Do you allow crawling?

**I have suggested freestyle, incase anyone has some wonderful moves/sequences they would like to show. But is is optional since I know only to well how difficult it is to get the basic moves right. Perhaps StuartL could bring us the Snake and show it off there? And Sonics i-Sobot may excel here. The Robonova demo moves are always a crowd pleaser. Real shame Matt Denton can't make it.

The snake was, er, disassembled (no dissassemble Stephanie!) to make way for Matt's quadruped. It's SO hard to manufacture too that there's no way it'll be rebuilt for the event.

Each event is optional because I know how challenging it is to enter all the events - but it would be great if we could have at least 2 robots in each event. Including the stair climb.

If I can get my arse in gear I should be able to enter the lot, but it requires a very understanding girlfriend and no more vehicular failures...

[NovaOne]

I like your list of events BillB the more the better....I wish I had more time to prepare

*In November Limor suggested that the Sprint could be made more interesting if there were some hurdles to pass over/under/around. Good idea... it will make a difficult event even more difficult. The more I think about it it will add an element of unpredictability, and make it more of an interesting spectator sport.

But please keep the basic (Sprint) event, If some robots are that good, why not add another event like a bottle race/assault course with limbo pole or an inclined area?

[BillB]

I suppose it will all depend upon how many robots we have on the day and what events people are willing to take part in.

Could I suggest that if you intend on bringing a humanoid/quad in to the June event in Birmingham that you end me a P.M. Also, please indicate what events you would be interested in participating (and which you would like to avoid). That way we can get an idea of numbers and firm up the schedule.

For those of you who are still undecided upon whether to attend/take part - don't hesitate come to Birmingham!!! We are not joking when we say that if your robot can stand and do a few basic moves you will probably do very well in the events - seriously.

Even if you are having trouble with your humanoid Robot and can not get it to work there will be plenty of friendly, very skilled and experienced people there who are very willing to help you out.

So please send me a P.M so that I can get an idea of numbers.

[Orac]

Hi,

Orac - will you be able bring your fabulous football pitch?

I suppose I could, but there must be a better way of doing this. Its very big and might be quite difficult to man-handle around the site (especially the escalators !!)

Thanks

[Sonic]

We should be able to use the boards provided and use insulating tape to do the lines of the pitch, it should not intefere with the robots too much.
If you think this is a good idea then I will bring a couple of rolls of white tape with me.

[NovaOne]

And NovaOne - will you be able to bring those masterfully engineered steps

Sorry Bill, I've only just read your post properly..

You can count on me to bring steps if I make it there. with my RN...like a lamb to the slaughter.

I'll also bring a spirit level and some shims.

Should we bring anything to donate to the micromouse guys to thank them?

Thank you Bren and Bill for organizing this event...its the highlight of the summer for me.

[BillB]

I have been sent a couple of PM's from people asking for the start time/schedule of events for this weekend. There is no formal schedule yet but could I suggest the following:

09:00-10:00 Arrive & Setup

10:00 Demos *

11:00 Sprint, Assault Course and Stair Climb

12:00 Soccer

13:00 Kung Fu


I have starred* the demos because so far only an iSOBOT has indicated that they would like to perform a demo. So it will probably be a short event. But I think it is more of an opportunity for us to informally show our mods, cool moves etc.

An hour between events should be enough for people to charge batteries and perform repairs etc.

I welcome any comments on this proposed schedule of events.

[Robo1]

That sounds fine for now, we will have to talk to the might mouse people and tire our events in with theres so that there's no clash. There did say something about us using the lunch slot again so maybe have the sprint and the kung fu at 12.30 ish . There shouldn't be to much trouble with the battery unless these a lot of bots for the kung Fu.

See you all there Bren

[Orac]

Hopefully, I will have this ready for the show as well. Might make a welcome break from all the midgets and mice to have a real manly bot present to keep control

http://www.lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?p=41488#41488

I might even see if there is any way the Manoi can 'Ride' it and dismount with a flourish, that would be one for the Demo competition...... or more likely, I'll turn it on and it will twitch a bit. As long as there is no smoke, I will be very happy.

Pete