The future of roboting

**craig_colliass** · 22nd June 2009, 22:31

Thanks Jonno for your reply.

I would still like to hear from the other EOâ‚¬â„¢s on the points raised if they would like to comment, but as always I respect their choice not to contribute if they donâ‚¬â„¢t feel they have anything to say at the moment.
On another note sorry I cant make the Air Show event this year holiday overlaps by one day. Bad planning on my part!!!

**robotwars** · 22nd June 2009, 22:54

Well, im always up for a good debate !!!

Its all gone a bit quiet now, so this thread will soon become a distant history.

We'll have to see if anything changes or happens.

John

**blazerbotics** · 22nd June 2009, 23:29

I'll just cover our views on a few of the points.

Middleweights: As jonno says, they would soon be on the same scale as the heavys and would require the same size and strength arenas so from that point of view it wouldn't change anything. We are more than happy to fit the middles into our shows so if you can persuade a few to build them im sure there will be somewhere to fight.

How much cost difference is there between running something like the featherweight champs with Robots Live's little arena to running a full heavyweight competition?

I would of guessed the same, if you compare one of our events (lets say Burgess Hill) and the FW UK Champs held last year in Derby by Robochallenge, the costs for the two events would probably work out very similar, you still need a venue, crew, gas, transport, hotels, advertising etc. It doesn't cost that much more to put on a full show for us, just time and effort.

But I do think there is room to move away from the Robot Wars formula to something better, or a better match for the circumstances we now face.

At the moment we are trying to advertise a format and brand that is well known, to move away from this i think would work against us.

One area were EOâ‚¬â„¢s could work together is, to arrange the calendar so that there is an even number of events through out the year, and spread as evenly as possible geographically, the south west dose not get much what about Bristol? Also Scotland.

I think were currently doing well regarding date clashes. There are reasons why there are few events during the summer, and why certain areas seem more popular. Its also seems roboteers are less likely to travel larger distances especially if its only a one day event.

I think we all would like to see the championships spread between the EOâ‚¬â„¢s so it is not anyoneâ‚¬â„¢s burden. And people can feel freer to go to them.

This was mentioned, but due to the nature in which this years UK champs was decieded upon, it didnâ‚¬â„¢t really leave enough time to create and test a system that would work and be fair. If this sort of UK champs happens next year then Iâ‚¬â„¢m sure it can be looked into.

1/ Venue hire negotiations.
2/ Equipment hire arrangements.
3/ Crowd control and general safety issues.
4/ Marketing and promotion techniques.
5/ Arena design and stage effects information.
6/ All the other bits I missed.

1. All EOâ‚¬â„¢s have a fair amount a experience in dealing with venues, and getting more than one involved might actually hinder negotiations.

2. Most EOâ‚¬â„¢s use there own equipment, we only rent the vehicles and a couple of sets of ladders, all of the arena, sound, lighting, FX etc are owned by us or relevant members of crew. Iâ‚¬â„¢m sure if another EO wanted to rent something off another I wouldnâ‚¬â„¢t see it being a problem.

3. I think this is covered by the FRA and any issues are bought up at meetings.

4. I think we all know what each other do; a lot of it has already been mentioned on this thread.

5. All of the arena owners all have the relevant skills and knowledge in the design and maintenance of the arenas.

I thinks thatâ‚¬â„¢s about it all covered, keep the ideas coming!

**terry** · 23rd June 2009, 00:35

hi everyone, well blimey ive been busy for a while and just wondered whats been going on and found this thread, which has taken over 2 hours to read !
seriously hope audiences return and would be gutted for the sport to stop, i would help in any way possible for close events, i live between norwich and kings lynn so its 4 years since an event near me. i allready promote the sport as much as i can and have many times considered to put a robot website address on my workvan to help advertising.
i am wondering with tv companies now cutting costs could we be in with a chance of being back on tv ?. i dont want or agree with prize money i just love the sport. over the last 5 years ive met a lot of very freindly people in the roboteering community and we must all work to stay together, im sure we can.
there has been some awesome suggestions but i dont think anyone has suggested this, could we put old robots in the arena that can be smashed up alot to entertain the croud ?
so they are not realy in the fights and with polycarb or similar panels that fall of easy so it looks like they are really damaged ? i have an old one that still looks ok.
its also good that bookings etc are coming in for 2010 and i am confident that we will
be here for years to come.
Terry.

**craig_colliass** · 23rd June 2009, 09:05

Thanks Alan for your comments on the points that have been raised, I have found all of them very helpful in understanding how the EOâ‚¬â„¢s are feeling at this time and their thoughts on the future of the movement.

Jonnos comment is quite profound.

It reminds me of the Quote
â‚¬ÂAfter all is said and done, there is usually lots to be done!â‚¬Â :shock: :shock:

**dgr** · 23rd June 2009, 19:51

With regards to an advantage in the middleweight class, I think its more of a roboteer thing. They are smaller, lighter and easier to transport. For someone like me who doesn't drive, a middleweight could be stowed away and transported on the train for example, which a heavy cannot (well, it can, me and Marco did it once, but it wasn't very much fun!).
Also, because its a new start weight class, the thing isn't just dominated by pnuematic flippers like the heavies are. Sure, it'll probably get to a point where it is, if people start to build more of them, but currently it has scope for a bit more variety.

With regards to EO's working together....maybe I'm being a bit thick, or missing the point entirely, but if all four EO's pooled funds to put on one event, wouldn't that reduce the risk and effort involved for all parties?

**john** · 23rd June 2009, 20:38

stick to heavies - 10 times better

doubt u would take a middle on a train with u lol 50kg plus tools hmm

also beast could easily get into as a middle so we have 1 built, its like just under 90 now n if we take sides off n that were under 50 but then there will be problems as us flipping 50kg wont be good for the arena

**xtreme** · 23rd June 2009, 22:37

If you flipping a middleweight wont be good for the arena then a middleweight flipping a middleweight wont be good for the arena cos u could easily get the same power out of a middleweight flipper as a heavyweight flipper. But I think middleweights are a good alternative. Would be nice to see a wide range of different styled robots and weapons. Then theres not a load of rear hinged flipper vs rear hinged flipper fights. Its a good oppertunity for everyone to have a unique robot. if everyone set out to make a robot different to everyone elses it would make it very interesting.