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A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots
€œBattle Ratz €œ
Over the last 5 years we€™ve had a range of robots which we€™ve used as a our fleet of pay to drive robots. Literally thousands of people have enjoyed driving and battling the robots during birthday parties, corporate events, school fetes, etc€¦. which we€™ve been involved in.
Earlier in 2009 we took the plunge to make an investment into a new fleet of robots, which are now called €œ Battle Ratz €œ It has been a joint effort between myself and Trevor Wright, and finally it is ready to be launched.
Every week I am asked many times €œ how to build a robot ? €œ so thought it was about time we did something about it.
What we have now, is a flexible, affordable Robot Kit, which not only gives people the chance to buy a simple working chassis, but also a fully built robot to take part in events all over the UK. You can either have a €œrambot€ wedge with no weapon, or an electric lifter, or a spring powered flipper. Either way you buy the parts, and with a simple set of tools you can build your very own robot, or even upgrade it using some of our upgrade packages.
We have invented the entry class as an easy way for people to get involved and take part in our events, the Feather Weight class is now so advanced that it is just as hard to get into and be competitive as the Heavy Weight class.
If people do want to compete, we plan to run the Battle Ratz we sell, along side our pay to drive robots in the same arena. The introduction of the new robots with weapons has now transformed our Pay to Drive setup, with an upgrade arena including arena effects, and a token operated control system.
Over the summer, we successfully trialled the operation which has set us in good stead for the future. We are already in talks with attractions around the UK about hosting Battle Rat competitions throughout the year. Wicksteed Park during the October Half term could be our next event, and we will be inviting feather weight teams to join us over the period we are there to act as house robots.
They are now available to be purchased via the RR shop, have a look and see what you think, we welcome any feedback about what we are trying to do.
Regards
John
Roaming Robots.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Surprisingly impressed actually! Was a bit cynical when John Bell mentioned it but as you seem to be backing it up with some 'beginner' events it's quite cool.
Andy
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
very impressed, i think they are a good idea and i hope they start flying off the shelves with ease :D
i like how there are the different packages aswell
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Would this be the beginning of a 12lb class, too? Like the US hobbyweights? :P
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Great idea John, Best of luck with it, look forward to seeing some at Wigan. The shape and decals look familliar!!.
DaveMac
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
yeh they look really great wish these were around when i started and the prices are really good
sent you an email john :)
alex
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Looking good, hopefully we'll see lots of newcomers using these as a starting point :)
Needs some huge furry ears though...
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Love the look of the kits. My only thoughts, wouldn't it be better to use 2.4GHz sets instead of futaba 4 channel ones? Far cheaper, more channels, no problems with interference and no messing around with xstals.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
A couple of questions about building these:
1. Do we have to use the kits to be able to enter?
2. What limitations are there on these (rule set)?
These kits are undeniably cool and my dad would let me build one of these (I also know at least two people who would be very interested).
If there were an applause smiley then I would be using it.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Ditto on that last post.
Simon
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the feedback.
Gary, that€™s a good idea actually to offer the spectrum€¦ I€™ll look into that and get it added!
What we are trying to do is solve the problem of HW and FW could be seen to be too far advanced that they have become slightly unreachable for a novice. Plus getting asked how to build a robot, and not having a solution is annoying.,
Battle Rat events will hopefully be an equal test, not only your construction skills, but driving and tactical skills aswell. The events will take the emphasis away from how much money you€™ve spent on your robot, how much Titanium or Hardox you€™ve used, or how nasty your weapon is.
There will be two classes at our events, - Standard and modified.
The standard class will be for those of you who buy a robot kit from us, you€™ve built it, you€™ve practiced it, and its time to test it.
The modified class will have a set of strict guidelines, you will be able to enter modified and upgraded Battle Ratz, or even a robot you€™ve made from other parts yourself. But our strict guidelines must be followed. No room for cheaters !!
The events will feature a series of rounds, gaining points along the way€¦.. rounds of assault course, sumo, robot football, and other games along the way will certainly test your skills.
Exciting stuff !!
John
Roaming Robots
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingrobots
There will be two classes at our events, - Standard and modified.
Funnily enough I was just wondering what would happen if we crossed the robot fighting with power tool drag-racing :lol:
Seriously though, sounds like a good plan to make it easier to get people into this sport. Most featherweights are just too advanced to make the construction of a survivable (is that actually a word??) first-time featherweight robot viable, although John Frizell's machines could be looked at as being a workable and low-cost solution.
You can tell times have moved on, since FWs used to be the easy way of getting in to robots. Having the robot assualt course, sumo and football harks back to the RRC and UKRG days and they were always fun to compete in so it should work well.
All the best for these Battle Ratz Jonno! :)
P.S. The Behind-the-Scenes RR DVD for sale in your shop, would it be possible for me to collect a copy from you on Sunday at Liam's party in exchange for cash? (I could get English banknotes if you don't like Scottish ones :lol:)
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
I look forward to the modified rules, methinks a purchase is on the horizon.
Simon
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingrobots
Gary, that€™s a good idea actually to offer the spectrum€¦ I€™ll look into that and get it added!
Not to state the bleeding obvious but if you're using the 10A Sabertooth (which I think you are) it'll need a voltage regulator because the BEC wont be man enough normally.
Andy
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
is that a spectrum compatibility issue? They work fine on the 40 mhz we're using at the moment?
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingrobots
is that a spectrum compatibility issue? They work fine on the 40 mhz we're using at the moment?
As I understand it the BEC doesn't have sufficient output to run the spectrum receiver whne the speed controllers are operating at the upper limit because it drops the current for the BEC circuit. This means the voltage drops to the receiver and it cuts out and resets.
Same problems we had with Hydra and BOOM and on the AR6000 receivers for the antweights.
Seem to recall the BEC is rated at 100mA and the spektrum receiver peaks at around 130mA. Could be wrong on the values but you get the point.
Andy
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
The Spektrum RX uses more current than the 40Mhz sets, better to keep it simple and cheap, just run with a RX battery.
ps. Lee would have liked these.
DaveMac
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
I must admit I was very skeptical about these machines at first, but after checking them out at Fairford and driving them for a couple of minutes I have to say these are very nice machines indeed.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
we do them in red. . . He should buy one. Might look a bit familiar. :-)
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Could call it GKid!!!
DaveMac
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Spent a good chunk of last night playing with these things at Liam's party and I have to say I love them 8)
I didn't think I'd be that enthused by them as I'm used to operating feathers but I could've played with them for hours. Maybe not at football, simply because I'm rubbish at it but driving them about and getting some flipper action in was good fun :)
So yeah, without a gun being pointed at my back :lol: I'd say it's a worthwhile piece of kit. A word of caution though: don't buy/operate these around exam time, or if you've got deadlines to meet, otherwise you're screwed!
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
these are seriously awesome, but a couple of questions:
does the spring powered flipper auto retract
can the spring powered fliper be made remote control (from looking at it i think it can but im not sure)
with a bit of beefing up , could these be faught as feather weights
how powerful is the spring flipper ( could it flip a FW)
a vid would great :)
i was gona build another crappy feather weight , but i might just get one of these instead :)
edit: sorry just saw the links to the you tube vids :P
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Hiya,
Answers to your questions..
Yes the flipper does auto retract... ready to fire again when your ready !
We also do have an option to have it remote control opperated, you can even have both together. We just use the self fire for our pay to drive robots, and also means you can use a 2channel tx saving costs.
We do plan on releasing another version, and that will be the FW version, wont be around until January 2010, but it is in our plan. It would take some devlopment to get it working in a FW version, no one would believe how much development we have had to do to get to this stage let alone the forces involved with enough tension in the springs to flip a 13.6kg feather weight !!
JOhn
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingrobots
no one would believe how much development we have had to do to get to this stage let alone the forces involved with enough tension in the springs to flip a 13.6kg feather weight !!
Oh I would, I have no problem believing that.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
this your good deed for the year :rofl: , i take my hat of to you.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
I have some ideas depending on what games turn up (I'm assuming it will be sort of like early robot wars/ the robotica competitions.)
My friend and cousin won't like it as much though as it means building a good all rounder of a machine and not one based on pure destruction :lol:
An invertible lifting weapon is more difficult than I thought ...
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Why is it hard? you could do a lifter like Maelstrom's flipper very easy. Or somthing like Big Nipper without the claw.
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
ive always been a fan of spring flippers , have you got any specs of the fliper or better a picture of the gubbins ?
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
The lifter bit is relatively easy.
Trying to get it to figure out which way up the machine is and therefore rotate to touch the floor is the difficult part (I'm aiming for a shovelhead like robot).
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
**update**
Well just thought id do a small update as its been a few weeks since we launched the kit.
Work is still going on, and we are busy with the Battle Ratz.
Our own fleet of pay to drive robots have now had a major update and improvement. From the outside, the untrained eye wouldnt notice, but we do... just simply for extra reliability, as our robots have a lot more abuse than the kits.
Saying that, we have transfered a couple of the small updates over to the kit to also improve them.
We have now finalised the kits design and work is about to begin this week on the first batch of kits which have been sold. All of the parts have been ordered, and our first job is to make the plastic pannels.
Barnsley in February 2010 will now be our official first event for Battle Ratz, and along side our main show we will be hosting a competion. Details to be finalised nearer the time.
Thats it for now.
Regards
John
http://www.RoamingRobots.co.uk
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
** Update **
Well the first batch of Battle Ratz went out xmas eve, and so far the feedback has been very positive.
A couple of tweeks needed to the instuctions, to make life a little easier, and already an upgrade pack being sent out in a couple of weeks.
Bit like when they launched XP... do your regular updates !!! :)
Trevor has now ran off to Austrailia for 6 weeks and left me to it... not a good idea 8)
Looking forward to seeing our kits in barnsley at the first Battle Ratz Competition !!!
John
http://www.RoamingRobots.co.uk
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Jonno, you forgot to mention the slight mishap I had with it where I forgot to line up the crank with the flat :)
George@TeamZog
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
.....and you forgot to mention that we managed to break both of ours on the 27th December (having finished building them on 27th!! :rofl: :rofl:
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
... and that the side panels are next to impossible to put on...
George@TeamZog
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Well all in the upgrade pack, get your cordless drill out George !! :proud:
Welcome to robots !!
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingrobots
Well all in the upgrade pack, get your cordless drill out George !! :proud:
Welcome to robots !!
What's your supplier of Polycarb Jonno? As I'm hoping to create a rollover design (similar to Mega Morg).
George@TeamZog
P.S. Also the flipper almost killed me because it fired when I was taking the link out (it was down).....
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Have a look at direct plastics for some plastic sheeting.
What did you learn? Never ever be remotely close to any weapons when you are removing links, putting in links or doing anything else whilst power is active in your machine. :P
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon_driver
Have a look at direct plastics for some plastic sheeting.
What did you learn? Never ever be remotely close to any weapons when you are removing links, putting in links or doing anything else whilst power is active in your machine. :P
The problem is, the link is directly underneath the weapon, so it's a nightmare getting it out...
George@TeamZog
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Lol just drill a hole in the back and re-route it to a safer locaton
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Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz
Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon_driver
Lol just drill a hole in the back and re-route it to a safer locaton
Or tip it on its back, lift up flipper and take link out. It doesn't matter if it fires that way because it'll fire away from you.
Also if you remove the link with the flipper up you can pull the crank off the flipper motor and fit the link with the flipper disengaged. When you've finished let the flipper drop and it will automatically put the flipper into the armed state. You do need to consider that when the flipper is down it is armed so it's a good idea to remove the crank when you store it and store it with the flipper up.
Either way it's perfectly safe in my opinion BUT you need to think about safety, it doesn't just happen!!
Andy