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Very short, the Dutch/Belgian roboteers are already united, and have demonstrated to be in thesame league as the UK robots. So here our discution forum http://rw.bugs.nl/http://rw.bugs.nl/
its in dutch,but if anyone uses English there, the answers will be in English.
It may also be nice to mention that there is an official organisation of Dutch roboteers, called the Dutch robot games. http://www.dutchrobotgames.nlhttp://www.dutchrobotgames.nl
But everybody new that already of course :)
The Germans/Austrians/Swiss have their own organisation too, the German Roboteers Association. You will find it at http://www.roboteers.orghttp://www.roboteers.org.
Bugs and Maddox, my fist of typing-correction-doom is itching. But I will be gentle this time. I strapped it down with ductape but the edges are already tearing.
Back on topic: most Dutch and Belgians understand a reasonable amount of English, the Germans have members who are not so fluent in English so I suggest you use easy words so that we can all benefit from it. People who have questions regarding translation of postings on these foreign fora can always email me or chat.
Actually, I did see the typo. But you only have 10 min. to correct a post.
Maybe this timeout can be increased? :)
Hi guys & gals
Regarding all the separate organisations springing up, Its hoped that the FRA and all such organisations can work together on stuff. There is far more likelihood of things working properly if you have a united front, held under the same roof.
The FRA have already put considerable time and effort into producing best practice guidelines for safety, and a rule set that is not only European compliant, but has much greater compatibility with US rules... so if we can all find our way to working towards developing these itd have great benefits for everyone.
Obviously we wouldnt want people to think were trying to take over.. so look at it more as a collaboration between nations, certainly that€™s the way I personally see it.:)
Just my thoughts
Sam
Sam,
I think we all agree that the future of our sports isnt Mentorn but a structure that is organized by the competitors themselves.
We all in continental europe welcome the FRA as a step in the right direction, and yes, there HAS to be a brief cooperation between the organisations. As for the Dutch and the German organisations, this already works quite well.
Why only brief Holger?
I would have thought itd be better to establish on going relations that would lead to collaboration right down the line..
I do know that any organisation that is able to say We are the European robot combat governing body is going to have far more potential in pulling in sponsors, helping in the organising of large events, creating rule sets and safety guidelines that are adhered to... in fact theyll have far more potential in everything they do.. simply by having more resources at their disposal!
Would there be any interest in having representatives at, or in communication with someone at the FRA meetings? As this would seem to be the obvious way to progress such an organisation.
Sam
http://www.shredderteam.comhttp://www.shredderteam.com
http://www.robotcrusade.comhttp://www.robotcrusade.com
Why only brief...?
Excuse me, I only hit the wrong word :). May happen as English of course isnt my native language.
Yes, there is interest in being involved in FRA stuff - dont know at the moment how this might be realized, but it should be possible to find a suitable way.
It is pleasing to see such early interest in this forum from our associates in mainland Europe.
My vision is to see a European roboteering community moving forward to support each other for the good of all.
Andy Kane
FRA President
Andy,
this exactly should be the way to go.
Perhaps we should start with something simple like exchanging banner links :)
We already have the FRA linked on our starting page, you will find a suitable picture on my profile.
Holger Barske
GRA president
http://www.roboteers.orghttp://www.roboteers.org
Are the German live events sticking to FRA safety guidelines and rules?
If so well be happy to stick you up on the FRA main pages with everyone else..
Certainly we believe in cross promotion, and the use of rules etc.. is the main criteria for FRA event membership at this point..
Sam
http://www.shredderteam.comhttp://www.shredderteam.com
http://www.robotcrusade.comhttp://www.robotcrusade.com
As there has never been a true live event in Germany yet (we use to visit the Dutch and Belgium events so far), we never had to deal with that question. But as there are some things on their way right now, this decision has to be taken. It is very probably that we will strictly follow the FRA rules, but the decision hasnt been made yet. We will accelerate this process now.
As a member of the Safety Committee from the Dutch Robot Games foundation I have already advocated to use one single international set of rules and that the guidelines issued by a select group of English roboteers are well-thought-out by persons who are by virtue of their hobbies, education and/or professions to be considered as experts on this. Lacking such guidelines here in the Benelux yours have become a standard already (apart from the fact that we consider it more useable than the Mentorn rules who are only concerned with the robots proper). We noticed the need for live event rules during our first live event (the one in 2001) and have been trying to implement the guidelines ever since I got my hands on it. We should encourage more feedback and cooperation. I will defend this opinion at the next all-member-meeting of the DRG foundation (soon) and I suppose Holger has the same view for the Germans.
In this hobby, as in other similar ones, communication and good universal rules are most important, we need to establish a standard that can be used everywhere to the benefit of the sport and its participants. So let us do that.
But I urge you all to consider that only by a strong national representation and international affiliation, together with the willingness to hear each others views and proposals, we can build a sport that will have the possibility to last.
Well now weve got somewhere to talk openly, it should help with communication at least :)
As Ive said, were more than willing to collaborate, in fact it was one of the reasons we tried to set this up in the first place.. itd be great to all be singing of the same hymn sheet as far as safety, rules, promotion etc..etc.. goes.
Only problem I can see is physically being all in the same place at the same time in order to discuss issues.
Good thing we have the computer age really!
Proposals and views are welcome.. and well endeavour to make sure you guys are kept aware of ongoing discussions and have a chance to have your say.
Youll see no poopooing of your opinions from this quarter.. so throw them at us as and when youre ready.
Sam
http://www.shredderteam.comhttp://www.shredderteam.com
http://www.robotcrusade.comhttp://www.robotcrusade.com
Youve got Andy Kane to thank for the communication that already exists my friend. If I remember correctly he, Andr (Chairman of DRG) and Holger (very active member of the GRA) have been in touch with each other.
Both Mario and I plan to regulary attend live events in the UK (as far as we can financially speaking) and have already acted as liasons and you know we are very computer-busy. We are only awaiting the official founding of the FRA for the more official dealings. You know, we are glad that the English will have a national organisation. Makes it easier for the rules and the contacts.
Andy Kane is the man to talk to in truth.
Youll find his email contact on the frontpage of the FRA site at:
http://www.fightingrobots.co.ukhttp://www.fightingrobots.co.uk
Just in case anyone doesnt have it.
Sam
http://www.shredderteam.comhttp://www.shredderteam.com
http://www.robotcrusade.comhttp://www.robotcrusade.com
Aha! I can make a correction to Babeths spelling. Liasons is in fact spelt liaisons.
I have outsmarted the smartest of them all. Woohoo!
I feel that there should be an international organisation established linking all the individual groups together. Like the FIA links motorsports clubs the world over and sets the rules for all. There should be an int. Robot Union that gets selected persons in it to run it. Like international rule sets and event guideing groups.
The FRA, DRG and GRA still holding individuality and freedom of organising but all under int. rules.
Thanks for the correction Matty, I appreciate it.
And Niels, dear, we are working on it. Let the national organisations get in touch with each other first, have a solid uniform set of rules established after that, and then we can see what we can do about an international organisation. I aim to achieve that goal.