Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

OK, I don't know how I missed this while the Olympics were still going on, but it turns out that there was a significant robotic presence at the games. Well, maybe not "real" robots, but remotely operated vehicles with special capabilities (sound familiar?) were definitely in use in Beijing. For example, there were the remote controlled javelin retrievers in use in the Birdnest ( here is another story about how they were used to retrieve hammers during the hammer throw events). I do recall seeing a brief glimpse of one scooting by during one broadcast, but didn't know what I was watching at the time. You can also see one in this Gigapan image of the interior of the Birdnest, at the upper middle edge of the javelin pitch.



Hmm, if they can do this, can robotic competitors be far behind? Anyone ready to build a robotic decathlete for the London games in 2012?

-dave


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Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

I don't know dave, you could get some serious power out of machines. I don't think it would be fair to us mere humans. A robot olympics would be a cool idea though.

-Vivek

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

You know, to me those controllers look like vex controllers. I wonder . . .
Also I will call it first, GAME HINT! WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP GAME HINT GAME HINT WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP. :P

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

Game hint for 2012? Prepare for the 6 hour long robot match, including sand, water, and live fields.

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

I had seen those, and the TV guy said they were supposed to avoid accidents (it can really hurt) - obviously, that's not their purpose.

Quite frankly, I can see Homer Simpson "inventing" one of those. I thought it was really silly.

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

Ouch. Now that is exactly why I would not want a robotic javelin thrower (especially built by our team....).

-Vivek

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

The Chinese government does have a goal to get a VEX kit in each school child's hands, so it would make sense.

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

Seriously? That is freaking awesome. Too bad FIRST isn't still involved with vex, it would have been some great growth.

-Vivek

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

The VEX World Championship will be picking up the slack there, needless to say, I seriously doubt they have to beg for foreign teams right now.

Re: Robots at the Olympics?!!
 

I'd rather build a bot for the Winter Olympics, since they are more exciting.
(In my opinion at least).

Oh wait... didn't we discuss that already - sort of??