Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

Yes they Do

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

Battlebots?

Because we never have enough people asking if we build those "robots with saws and flames". :rolleyes:

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

Yeah, I thought that that part was kinda off-putting to me. That's why I liked Battlebots, every robot was unique, and had their own ingenious way of solving the problem of how to destroy the other robots

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

I've turned this around in my head, and I think it's a case where the alternatives are limited, especially for an upstart series on what is admittedly Not The Biggest Network Around.

If you're going to have the robots box, they have to be in the ballpark on height, weight, and reach. Going one-maker simplifies that.

If you're going to open up the field, you have to find 12 teams willing to build these things (and put up Cadillac money to do it--consider that AndyMark's full drive system packages start around $2,000). One maker working for the producers ensures that there will be 12 robots.

If you're going to open up the field, you then have to ensure compatibility with the control systems on the field, you have to create an inspection process, you have to hope they can make the next round even if they win. Going one-maker eliminates a lot of that.

I'm not saying it won't happen eventually here or elsewhere, but to re-float the fighting-robot trial balloon I find little fault with their approach.

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

I think as a community, we are too eager to shun this type of television. Yes, it's meant for entertainment, but if there is any desire for kids to WANT to learn how to build robots/be in engineering/etc., this is going to be the way to do it. Dean Kamen says he'd like robotics to be on the level of other sports. However, when you watch other sports on TV, you only very rarely hear about the technical aspects of what it took to get the athlete to that level. They don't highlight the methods of training. This is very similar. The first step in getting people interested is to first entertain them, and a lot of people don't see that. You can't rush right in with the technical details. It's extremely off-putting. You've got to ease people in and let them make the realization that "hey, this [robotics stuff] is cool. How do I get to do this?" Don't be too quick to dismiss entertainment value.

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

I enjoy it. It's not as cool as watching a FRC competition, but very little is. I'm really hoping it does well. While a little simplified for those of us who work with robots and (kinda) know what we're doing, it's enough to get the every day person interested in watching robots. TV can have a huge impact. The reason I'm a programmer is because of Code Lyoko (anyone remember that? Good times...). Now of course it's completely different than what we do, and doesn't seem to really have any application doesn't mean it's worthless. Who knows how many kids will see this and say "I want to know how to make that"? Those kids will grow up, hopefully see FIRST or some other robotics team at their school, and join up! We're already inspired, the focus should be on those who aren't, which this is. I'm actually surprised/proud of how technical they got.


That being said, I'm sure the sparks are staged at some level. I can't imagine that many robots that could have that kind of show coming from their electronics and continue to function like those do. Although they might have wiring specifically for the purpose of creating sparks when damaged...

Re: robot combat league - syfy tv show
 

talking to the guy who made the robots on facebook,

he said that the robots were rigged with pyrotechnics for the entertainment factor and the show was not rigged.