A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz

[robotwars]

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.

[widow_twanky]

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

[calumco]

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

i like how there are the different packages aswell

[Metal Demons]

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

[dmac]

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

[psycho_fling]

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

[joey_picus]

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...

[typhoon_driver]

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.

[daliad100]

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.

[simon_windisch]

Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz

Ditto on that last post.

Simon

[robotwars]

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

[RogueTwoRobots]

Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz

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

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 )

[simon_windisch]

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

[widow_twanky]

Re: A New and exciting product from Roaming Robots - Battle Ratz

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

[robotwars]

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?