Non-Robotic Related Hobbies

[jwallace15]

One thing that I love to do in my spare time is buy and assemble electrical kits, such as the picture displayed below. This particular kit is a 4-way stoplight. There is a swich in the lower left-hand corner, and an adjustable time delay is located to the right of the switch (separated by 3 resistors).
I have to ask - Do you have a fun hobby that you do in your spare time?

[rsisk]

How is this topic possible? It would imply the existance of a life outside of robotics.

All kidding aside, I like to do volunteer work as technical director for a local community theater. Build sets, lights, sound, and special effects, especially when I can work a robot or two into the set. I used pneumatics for the first time on the set of Something's Afoot and now I am itching to use more of them on a set,molts of possibilities. I volunteer at an arena style theater, so having all three dimensions to work in is especially challenging and well
suited For remote controlled robotics.

[jwallace15]

Way to go! Including robotics into the theatrical world is great!

In fact, I recently purchased a green screen for video editing. I understand that video editing and theatrics are two different things, but they are related in the entertainment aspect of people's lives. When I had a big project in school, I tried to take video of the showcase of said projects. Then I would create a video highlighting the memories of both the project, and the fun that went into working on it.

If I were to have the honor of volunteering as you do, I would be more interested in lighting. I feel that the two things that influence the audience during a show the most are lighting and special effects.

I am curious about one thing though; what did you use the pneumatics for? Also, what do the remote-controlled robots do on the set/during a show?

[Foster]

Originally Posted by rsisk

How is this topic possible? It would imply the existence of a life outside of robotics.

I've gotten so used to working 40 hours, doing robots for 90 hours, commuting, sleeping and eating the rest that I keep the pace up all year. So I

• Make and fly big kites (I have a 8'*8'*20' double box about ready to fly)
• Build electronic kits
• Ham radio (I'm K3FXS, working on moon bounce)
• Boating in the summer
• Software development on some open source projects

which leaves me 15 minutes a day to pet the cat.

[Garrett.d.w]

I too like filling up my time. It has gotten to the point where I typically get less sleep during the summer

To fill all of that valuable time I enjoy:
Swimming
Working as a Lifeguard
Working on cars (66 Mustang and a 63 Datsun Fairlady)
Arduinos
Martial Arts (recently replaced by the gym, the TKD studio isn't open late enough )
Edit: Forgot to add photography

Oh... I almost forgot CD and Reddit, I still somehow find time to browse both of them.

Edit: Also adding pics because... yeah.

The Cars




The back half only, the front doesn't exist... yet

Martial Arts (Karate from a long time ago)


And photography. Not my best, but my favorite



Hopefully this post isn't too big.

[Chris is me]

I need more / new non-robotic hobbies, but in the past my main time sink outside of robotics was college radio. I've been a DJ, a music director, and Program Director of 91.5 FM WRPI in Troy, NY. As a mechanical engineer, the mostly-electrical environment of radio is still a little alien to me, but it's certainly broadened my base a bit and I've learned a lot about music, communication, and leadership through my involvement with WRPI.

I think this semester I'm going to help with tech stuff for my school's theater group. It's low commitment and interesting enough that it should keep me busy on top of a full course load.

[jwallace15]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I need more / new non-robotic hobbies, but in the past my main time sink outside of robotics was college radio.

Can I suggest models? Building or collecting (or both) models can be a great hobby. I collect model trains. It's more expensive than building models (because trains are premade and actually function). I've tried building model airplanes and cars before, but I don't like waiting for glue to dry

Most hobby shops carry models. Why don't you give that a try?

[Koko Ed]

I am trying to produce a webcomic.
I also collect Poison Dart Frogs.

[EricH]

I'm trying to get further into R/C aircraft, but what with robotics stuff taking free time and all, I'm currently somewhat grounded. (That and I haven't gotten around to repairing my one airplane. See robotics and free time.)

[Joe G.]

I build and fly High Power Rockets





2,193 feet, Mach 0.72

[IndySam]

I have a thousand other hobbies but the only other one I'm serious about is poker.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I am trying to produce a webcomic.
I also collect Poison Dart Frogs.

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...

• I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...
• I'm also doing Tough Mudder in less than 2 weeks.
• I got married 2 weeks after champs this year, so there's that to take lots of time. Recently, we've become addicts of Battlestar Galactica
• I also have a furry dog who turns on his demand-for-attention cuteness like a faucet. He likes to train for Tough Mudder with me.
• I'm also poking around UDK/CryEngine to figure out if a game concept I've thought of is even fun. If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll write the story into a book. This one's more of a 'when I get to it' hobby though, since no game engine seems to do what I want out of the box.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by JesseK

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...

• I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...
• I'm also doing Tough Mudder in less than 2 weeks.
• I got married 2 weeks after champs this year, so there's that to take lots of time. Recently, we've become addicts of Battlestar Galactica
• I also have a furry dog who turns on his demand-for-attention cuteness like a faucet. He likes to train for Tough Mudder with me.
• I'm also poking around UDK/CryEngine to figure out if a game concept I've thought of is even fun. If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll write the story into a book. This one's more of a 'when I get to it' hobby though, since no game engine seems to do what I want out of the box.

The frogs aren't poisonous in captivity ( I found one had escaped and was hopping around the kitchen floor when I was getting ready to leave. I scooped him up with my bare hands and put him back in the tank. I quick wash of the hands and I was out the door with nary a cough).

[jwallace15]

I must say, I've heard of collecting animals such as snakes and lizards. But Poison Dart Frogs? How exotic! I love that!

[Botwoon]

Originally Posted by JesseK

o.O Don't mess with Ed...


I work, and ...[list][*]I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I'm waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I'm also working to make their Planning Software more ... user friendly...

Awesome, I've got a quad myself. I built the frame myself, basing it somewhat off the original arducopter frames. I even managed to sneak the arms in with the robot frame when we sent it to be anodized this year.

If all goes well and I get the O.K. to do so, I should have a nice aerial surprise at champs next year.