Register today!  It's still the biggest robot competition, with more events than
any one person could possibly compete in.

So pick your events and register today!

http://robogames.net/registration/event/register/4
--


David E. Calkins - http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

Register today!

Airfare prices are plumetting, making a trip to SF easier than ever!

Register today!

http://robogames.net/registration/event/register/4
--


David E. Calkins - http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

Want to help RoboGames succeed and keep going?

The RoboGames Town Hall is an informal conversation where robot builders,
circuit benders, robosumo enthusiasts, combat people, kit bashers, software
mutators, makers, doers, thinkers and all other nerds bent on robotic world
domination get together to discuss RoboGames 2009.

Topics will include:
* Helping RoboGames before the event by helping find sponsors/donors/vendors
* How to compete at RoboGames;
* How to get involved with the RoboGames populace as a competitor, volunteer,
sponsor or other supporter;
* How to show off your robotically-oriented wares at RoboGames;
* and ideas on how to make this year?s RoboGames a truly spectacular event.

The Town Hall will take place on Saturday, April 11 at Tech Shop in MenloPark.

Tech shop is at 120 Independence Dr, Menlo Park, CA  94025 - (800) 640-1975
http://techshop.ws/contact.html

We really hop that you can make it!



--


David E. Calkins - http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

Want to help RoboGames succeed and keep going?

The RoboGames Town Hall is an informal conversation where robot builders,
circuit benders, robosumo enthusiasts, combat people, kit bashers, software
mutators, makers, doers, thinkers and all other nerds bent on robotic world
domination get together to discuss RoboGames 2009.

Topics will include:
* How to compete at RoboGames;
* How to get involved with the RoboGames populace as a competitor, volunteer,
sponsor or other supporter;
* Helping RoboGames before the event by helping find sponsors/donors/vendors
* How to show off your robotically-oriented wares at RoboGames;
* and ideas on how to make this year’s RoboGames a truly spectacular event.

The Town Hall will take place on Saturday, April 11 at Tech Shop in MenloPark.

RoboGames 2009 Registration is open!

Join us for our 6th year!  June 12-14th in San Francisco.

We're no longer using buildersDB.  We've got our own registration
system now, which we hope makes it easier to register.

http://robogames.net/registration

"World's Largest Robot Competition"
-Guinness Book of Records

RoboGames, the world's largest open robot competition, invites
mechanics, closet machinists, artists and engineers of all ages,
skills and means to compete at RoboGames this June.  RoboGames is
listed in the Guinness book of records as the world's largest robot
competition, and we want you to be a part of it!  Yes!  There is still
time to register your robot.

With over different 70 events to choose from, any robot, in any form,
is welcome to compete!   From art robots to autonomous navigation,
robot sumo to fire fighting, even bots that don't fit into any
category can register for "best of show."

"Top Ten Best North American Geek Fests."
-Wired

The event is open to anyone, not just university students,
professionals, or other schools.  Some of the finest builders are
garage mechanics and backyard experimenters, but RoboGames also hosts
professional engineers, robotics companies, and other organized teams.
         RoboGames also encourages young engineers to come out and show
their stuff, so we made more than 10 events just for under-18 events
with NO registration fees!

"SportCenter's Top Ten"
-ESPN

Participants will be joining an international field of competitors
(over 30 countries were represented last year) and competing for the
prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in every event!
RoboGames is an excellent opportunity to indulge mechanical know-how,
adapt science fetishes for good and come out and play among fellow
makers, thinkers and builders.

The event opens to the public June 13-15th, and fills the stands with
people eager to see your bot.

Register here:
http://robogames.net/registration

-----------

GET YOUR VERY OWN TRADING CARDS.  We've brokered a deal with a local
printing company to make trading cards for robots that compete at
RoboGames - past and present.  If you'd like your own trading cards
for this years RoboGames, order by May 1st.  Full details and ordering
link here:
http://robogames.net/cards/

RoboGames 2009 Registration is open!

Join us for our 6th year!  June 12-14th in San Francisco.

We're no longer using buildersDB.  We've got our own registration
system now, which we hope makes it easier to register.

http://robogames.net/registration

"World's Largest Robot Competition"
-Guinness Book of Records

RoboGames, the world's largest open robot competition, invites
mechanics, closet machinists, artists and engineers of all ages,
skills and means to compete at RoboGames this June.  RoboGames is
listed in the Guinness book of records as the world's largest robot
competition, and we want you to be a part of it!  Yes!  There is still
time to register your robot.

With over different 70 events to choose from, any robot, in any form,
is welcome to compete!   From art robots to autonomous navigation,
robot sumo to fire fighting, even bots that don't fit into any
category can register for "best of show."

"Top Ten Best North American Geek Fests."
-Wired

The event is open to anyone, not just university students,
professionals, or other schools.  Some of the finest builders are
garage mechanics and backyard experimenters, but RoboGames also hosts
professional engineers, robotics companies, and other organized teams.
       RoboGames also encourages young engineers to come out and show
their stuff, so we made more than 10 events just for under-18 events
with NO registration fees!

"SportCenter's Top Ten"
-ESPN

Participants will be joining an international field of competitors
(over 30 countries were represented last year) and competing for the
prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in every event!
RoboGames is an excellent opportunity to indulge mechanical know-how,
adapt science fetishes for good and come out and play among fellow
makers, thinkers and builders.

The event opens to the public June 13-15th, and fills the stands with
people eager to see your bot.

Register here:
http://robogames.net/registration

-----------

GET YOUR VERY OWN TRADING CARDS.  We've brokered a deal with a local
printing company to make trading cards for robots that compete at
RoboGames - past and present.  If you'd like your own trading cards
for this years RoboGames, order by May 1st.  Full details and ordering
link here:
http://robogames.net/cards/

THE ROBOT REPORT dot com is a new website dedicated to tracking the business of
robotics.  It is a resource for news and links to and about this growth
industry:

	 · Service Robots for Governmental and Corporate Use
	 · Service Robots for Personal and Private Use
	 · Industrial Robots
	 · Ancillary Businesses
	 · Educational and Research Facilities

THE ROBOT REPORT dot com will be updated for news and for the addition and
maintenance of a comprehensive database of industry links.

THE ROBOT REPORT dot com, in January, will begin daily updates of the ROBO-STOX™
index, comparing international publicly-traded robotic stock segments to the
S&P500.

Help make THE ROBOT REPORT dot com a success by telling friends and colleagues
about
the site, sending stories and links to the site, and suggesting new ideas and
improvements.  A viral marketing plan would certainly be appreciated.  Perhaps
even
advertise on the site.

Please visit and explore this new site.  Spread the word and URL.  Send in
stories, ideas
and links.  And forward this announcement to friends and colleagues.

Dave,
  Can we barrow a robot to compete?? If so, can I barrow one of yours;-)

I'd love to go, what an opportunity!

-Dan Gates



--- In sfrsa@yahoogroups.com, David Calkins <dcalkins@...> wrote:
>
> So, The all-Japan 3kg sumo tournament is Dec 21st in Tokyo.
>
> Fujisoft gave me 2 seats to go, all expenses, but Simone is pregnant
and due
> about then, so I'm giving away the tix.
>
> Want 'em?
>
> You gotta win 'em.
>
> MAIL me your 3kg sumo (not 500g), so it arrives by the morning of
Dec 5th.
> Include pre-paid return for the package.  On Dec 6th, I'll compete
them all in a
> normal sumo bracket.  Don't have a 3kg sumo?  You can build one in 3
weeks...
>
> The top two robots each get one ticket to Japan.  You will need a
passport and
> time off work to go.  This is going to be totally merit based.  It's
not random.
>    Best two robots go.
>
> Email me directly for more details.
>
>
> --
>
>
> -David E. Calkins
> SFSU Robotics Engineering and Robotics Outreach
> President,  RoboGames / Robotics Society of America
> http://www.robogames.net
> -----------------------------------------------
> Silicon shall replace Carbon.
> The revolution will be automated.
>

So, The all-Japan 3kg sumo tournament is Dec 21st in Tokyo.

Fujisoft gave me 2 seats to go, all expenses, but Simone is pregnant and due
about then, so I'm giving away the tix.

Want 'em?

You gotta win 'em.

MAIL me your 3kg sumo (not 500g), so it arrives by the morning of Dec 5th.
Include pre-paid return for the package.  On Dec 6th, I'll compete them all in a
normal sumo bracket.  Don't have a 3kg sumo?  You can build one in 3 weeks...

The top two robots each get one ticket to Japan.  You will need a passport and
time off work to go.  This is going to be totally merit based.  It's not random.
    Best two robots go.

Email me directly for more details.


--


-David E. Calkins
SFSU Robotics Engineering and Robotics Outreach
President,  RoboGames / Robotics Society of America
http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

Hey Michael:

I am new to this list - so hi everyone!
Those IC's look neat, I assume they are just PICS with some
pre-programmed interpreter, or partitioned off area where KicChip puts
some of their lower-level stuff.  Does / do any of those packages
allow for hardware or timer interrupts?  When you mention the 20 mhz /
frequencies, is that internal, or can we speed it up with an external
resonator?

I like BASIC.  I was afraid of having to learn assembly.  On the other
hand, do many robotics people in here program in assembly, or is the
consensus that its more of a waste of time to learn and troubleshoot?
  As a bit of background, I have have already used a language called
BASIC18 with a PIC18F - so I am somewhat familiar with the PIC - just
not hardcore'ly familiar with it. I want to program a PID controller
that ideally can handle a few servo motors, as well as generate
simplistic motion profiles (trapezoid). Has anyone done this / what
processor?

Best,
Ryan



--- In sfrsa@yahoogroups.com, "michaelcollier" <michaelcollier@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> Here is a new Micro Controller (PIC Based) that should interest robot
> enthusiasts.
>
> http://www.kicchip.co.uk
>
> It uses a simple 3 wire inteface to connect to computer - so no need
> for extra expensive programming hardware.
>
> The development software is free to download and includes flowchart
> design tool.
>
> It can handle various robotic type devices such as Motors, Servos,
> Lights etc.
>
> Michael Collier
> KicChip
>

I need a table (perhaps 2 feet across) which can be controlled so
that it spins between 0 and 100 rpm.

It doesn't need to be very strong. I want to put lego figures on it
to make an animated show using a strobe light. (Each figure is
positioned slightly differently so the strobe light causes it to look
like the figures are moving.)

I'd be willing to pay $100 if someone can make me one. I'm hoping
it's a reasonably simple thing to do if you know how.

If you have a counter proposal then feel free to let me know. I don't
know how fast the table needs to spin to create the animation effect,
so I just chose 100 rpm arbitrarily. A smaller table might also be
acceptable if that's a problem.

Feel free to contact me at:
crazySpin at g42.org

I need a table (perhaps 2 feet across) which can be controlled so
that it spins between 0 and 100 rpm.

It doesn't need to be very strong. I want to put lego figures on it
to make an animated show using a strobe light. (Each figure is
positioned slightly differently so the strobe light causes it to look
like the figures are moving.)

I'd be willing to pay $100 if someone can make me one. I'm hoping
it's a reasonably simple thing to do if you know how.

If you have a counter proposal then feel free to let me know. I don't
know how fast the table needs to spin to create the animation effect,
so I just chose 100 rpm arbitrarily. A smaller table might also be
acceptable if that's a problem.

Feel free to contact me at:
   crazySpin at g42.org

Hi

Here is a new Micro Controller (PIC Based) that should interest robot
enthusiasts.

http://www.kicchip.co.uk

It uses a simple 3 wire inteface to connect to computer - so no need
for extra expensive programming hardware.

The development software is free to download and includes flowchart
design tool.

It can handle various robotic type devices such as Motors, Servos,
Lights etc.

Michael Collier
KicChip

Would like "RoboGames" in hebrew, if anyone can...
--


-David E. Calkins
SFSU Robotics Engineering and Robotics Outreach
President,  RoboGames / Robotics Society of America
http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

First thansk to all of you that helped a few years ago when I neded
help motorizing a commutator.
Second - I promised pictures! I started a photobook. It has pictures of:

the commutator and motorization,
Not pretty but worked flawlessly and produced no electronic noise, and
minimal audible noise. The long curved arm is the torque sensing arm,
the cables came up to teh yoke, and then were wire tied along teh arm
and then connected to the commutator plugs.


and also a picture of the drives
Its an earlier version that only had 32 channels. Each of the little
cannula coming out contains 16 wires - 12 micron wire twisted into
tetrodes, so 4 tetrodes per guide cannula. The little screws and such
on top were set up so that teh depth of the wires was adjustable after
this was mounted.


and finally a picture of my first good waveforms from a rat.
Each row on teh right side is a tetrode, the slight variations in how
each wire receives the signal allow for separation of idividual
neurons. The left panel shows teh currently selected tetrode's 'view'
of neurons firing.



Next project (eventually) will be to create an eRAT robot that will
interface with my memory and learning neural network model and
hopefully replicate real learning and behavior that has been reported
from real animals. Just have to figure out some interface issues first
(oh - and try to get a tenure track position somewhere!)

and one last - on the educational front - I have a PhD in psychology of
all things, but the most useful things I learned were from my aircraft
mechanic days and from A&P school. Troubleshooting complex electronic,
electrical, hydraulic, pneumatics, mechanical, etc. systems
(particularly complex avionic systems) provided a great frame work for
examining how all things, including the brain, works. Went back to
school after 7 years of mechanicing, took a course at a community
college on psychobiology and got hooked. The mechanics of the mind. So
be careful where you want you education to take you! (too much biology
for most psych departments, too psychy for most biology programs, not
enough 'engineering' background for engineering departments, and not
enough programming for a computer department...) Sometimes too much
education can really limit your employability (and your fun and
income...)

I would say play and learn - get yourself some of the Aircraft Mechanic
textbooks as good starting places for mechanical and electrionic
aspects, and then move on to more intense texts. You seem to be, or
desire to be, autodidactic (self teaching). So I would avoid too much
formal education. It should be about that, but has moved farther and
farther away from instilling those values. (Try getting positions
telling people you can learn anything - or getting a grant while
telling the reviewers that yes, you can pick up and learn X and don't
need to spend (waste) time sitting in someone elses lab learning thinsg
to advance their grants and career...)

Hi DeWayne,

> I've been away for years, since the DARPA challenge in fact.  My
> interest in robotics was strong yet limited by a high school
> education.  The kids are grown and I'm ready to get the training
> needed.  I'm 43 yrs old and hope to begin in Fall '09.  Any
suggestions
> for Degree programs or getting in mental shape in the meantime.  Also,

> are there any weekend meetings?  Thanks for your ideas in advance,

I break down "robotics" into 4 basic areas:

1 - Mechanical
2 - Electrical
3 - Programming
4 - Looks (artistic/style)

Part of choosing an area will depend on your own personal interests.

The thing that I see missing the most, is the programming aspect. So
this is the place I would focus on (OK - I'm also a programmer by
profession - so you can consider my opinion to be biased :).

There seems to be lots of electronics boards/kits that are readily
available or can easily be assembled. Having some basic electronics
knowledge would also be quite useful, although most of the pertinent
information can be easily learned from a few books, like David Cook's
"Robot Building for Beginners" and "Intermediate Robot Building".
<http://www.robotroom.com/>
Unless you're planning on designing specialty electronics, the basics
will get you a long ways in the hobbyist robotics market. Most stuff is
digital, and you'll need to figure out how to use an A/D converter for
interfacing to the analog stuff.

Personally, I found that the mechanical stuff was pretty easy to pick
up, although I've been building models and using tools since I was kid.
I bought my own CNC mill and lathe, and while I have a blast making my
own parts, it is very time consuming.

And, probably the most valuable skill is learning how to ask the right
questions...

I notice lots of people being afraid to ask questions, because they feel
that the questions are "stupid". In my books there is no such thing as a
stupid question, just stupid answers. It's ok to not know everything.
Don't be afraid to ask, but also learn how to use the tools to find the
information (like google).

Dave Hylands
http://www.davehylands.com/