Getting ready for Dragon Con 2010 and the Robot Battles. Again this year I have slacked off and did not get to building until last week. Evil Robots Inc has a new 12 pound entry Tetanus Shot and Rippy will be returning in the 1 pound antweight competition. I unfortunately had no time to complete bots for the 30lb and 3lb categories.
I am taking a break from the robotics programming track this year to spend some time enjoying the con as an attendee again. I still plan to go see much of the programming organized by Valerie. You should too!
As usual I am way behind in my robot building for RobotBattles at DragonCon. I am trying to get the 12lb Probulator updated a bit with some new anti pushback changes and minor upgrades to the pneumatic spike. My 1lb Rippy is getting a nearly complete rebuid, the foam core armor did not stand up to the competition at MegaCon in march. The 3lb robot Family Joules needs a major drive train overhaul. And if I have the time, my 30lb robot Vorpal Bunny Fu Fu needs a weapon rebuild and upgrade.
Lots to do, and very little time to do it.
I have long been a fan of the Battletech game and universe, and I loved the Mechwarrior games and the Virtual World Battletech simulators. Obviously this led partially to my love of robot combat. With all the amazing advances in the last few years to bipedal robots, a “Battletech” style competition is now possible. And it will be at Robo Games in 2009: Mechwarfare. I personally hope that this particular competition takes off. There is a tremendous amount of room for innovation and creativity in these designs. Since the competition is scored on “Hit Points” and not real physical damage, the ongoing cost issues are not quite as high as a traditional combat robot competition. Although, without the violence and mayhem, I fear audience support and enthusiasim will not be quite as high.
If I get some time (Yeah right), I might start working on one of these. Sadly, RoboGames is in San Francisco, 2446 miles from my house.
The photo below is from the best looking Mech I have seen for this competition so far at Trossen Robotics.
Hagetaka, Trossen Robotics