I will be running the 3rd World Championships, again at the King Lud in Ryde on the IOW on **FRIDAY 15th May 2015**
AND…
the First FREE Scrapbot Convention at the First Floor in Newport IOW on **SAT 30th MAY** This is a family event with workshops, tournament, free mini magic show, talks etc OPEN TO ALL!
More info for all these events can be found at our facebook page, pop over there and drop us a like! https://www.facebook.com/Scrapbotbattles
This is a FREE event, open to ALL, and has been subject to interest from schools, cubs, scouts, sea cadets, work mates, flat mates, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, granddads… It combines all the best parts of community development and working locally with youth groups and alike.
Many of the ‘bots are constructed using old toys, RC cars, cd players, disk drives etcetera. Some broken, others deconstructed, recycled, upcycled and/or modified. A lot of the motors, gearing, wires, switches and battery housings have been salvaged from lofts, skips and charity shops. We are talking with charity shop donation centres in regard to salvaging any broken bits which they can’t sell, but we could use.
It’s all very basic electronics. However, some of the builders have discovered or rediscovered a joy for learning and advancing their skills in electronics, mechanical engineering, sculpting, casting and circuitry… myself included! There have been build videos, experiments in steering and some fantastic comradery among fairly competitive teams, some of whom will be giving talks and demos at the convention.
This is Bruce’s Controller made from a Chinese Tub and drawing pins.. quite genius! And below his beast Spike in action!
This type of battling started only last year in Japan (Hebocon – link below). Seven months later I held the first UK battle here on the Isle of Wight. Since then competitions have popped up in China, Korea, USA and Canada: all sharing photos and YouTube videos which will continue to be viewed and shared as momentum builds for this creative, community developing and, above all, amazingly fun movement!
https://www.facebook.com/Hebocon.Official
Our generation all watched RobotWars, and all wished to be in it. Unfortunately most of us did not have the money, time, tech’ nor know-how. This competition is designed specifically for anyone and everyone to put something together (whether a slipper taped to a ‘Hot Wheels’ car or a fully mechanised walking bot comprising half an RC car and some wire coat hangers); compete in a free competition and probably win a prize!
Don’d forget, it’s Free to enter, the beer will be served well into the night and there will be an opportunity to test out the Battle Arena, and hold your own grudge matches.
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Rules (subject to change)
The battle arena size, and start position measurements will be posted soon, but think the size of a large table. Your bots body will be no bigger than.. And must fit inside approx. a round biscuit tin. Again, more details to follow..
To qualify, you and your bot gotta..
1. Be there!
2. It needs to move.. Be that forward, spinning.. Or semi/fully controlled.
3. No Chemical Warfare! (Sam)
4. It must have a good name AND theme!
5. Bots need to be safe enough to use in the pub..
(Think of it like this.. if you can use it in your nan’s living room…you can probably use it in the comp! ….if you can’t.. then you can’t!!)
You lose by being knocked over, or pushed out first. Judges decision is final.
You Win by being the last bot standing.
Rc is fine.. Or cable remote,
or just turn it on.. And let go when we say ‘FIGHT’.. And hope for the best?!
Happy building!!
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May the Bestest SCRAPiest Bot Team WIN!!
