The future of roboting

[craig_anto]

Re: The future of roboting

how would people invisage the Eo's working together? I'd be willing to work with any of the other EO's so long as its benificial to the sport
couldnt see how it wouldn't be

[robotwars]

Re: The future of roboting

id like to know how eo's working together would make a difference.
What are peoples vision for the future there?

I don't think were doing bad at the moment. No real politics involved and everyone is doing there thing.

I think were all doing the same thing heading in the same direction. Roboteers have a good choice of events . So all good.

[craig_colliass]

Re: The future of roboting

Hi Jonno
Just some thoughts,
One area were EO€™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 we all would like to see the championships spread between the EO€™s so it is not anyone€™s burden. And people can feel freer to go to them.

Also I think it would be good to hear, a united statement of intent regarding the middleweight class, there are several out there so if there is enough people commited to bringing them along to an event. They would know that EO would do all they can to arrange a few fights in the shows. This subject has been a bit of a chicken and egg problem.

Also it would be good in the present environment to get different EO€™s to share best practice with regards to: -

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.

I don€™t expect any EO to regard these points too seriously, but you did ask.

[ady]

Re: The future of roboting

dont know about other people, if their were any sort of mw's comps, i would build one..

[robotwars]

Re: The future of roboting

Hiya,

Ok some answers

One area were EO€™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 agree that it would be benificial if there was an even spread both time, and location, however at the moment we are quickly running out of suitable venues, and they are booked up well in advance. Ive just about finished organising the 2010 calender already ... ( Yes there is going to be one LOL )

I think we all would like to see the championships spread between the EO€™s so it is not anyone€™s burden. And people can feel freer to go to them.

Agree it has mileage, there was some discussion about this last year about the 2009 champs but maybe for 2010 it could happen.

Also I think it would be good to hear, a united statement of intent regarding the middleweight class, there are several out there so if there is enough people commited to bringing them along to an event. They would know that EO would do all they can to arrange a few fights in the shows. This subject has been a bit of a chicken and egg problem.

I have been honest, I don't really agree that there is mileage in middle weights...... there are currently about 40 active Heavyweights, I would be willing to add a middle weight fight into the show, but I dont see why we need to start again in another weight.
Unless im mistaken, youd still use bosch 750's, youd still use wotty, or roboteQ, still use Nicads, so wheres the advantage..... just build a heavyweight.

Also it would be good in the present environment to get different EO€™s to share best practice with regards to: -


2/ Equipment hire arrangements. - I think both of us own most equipment apart from Gas,
3/ Crowd control and general safety issues. - FRA Business and is discussed

1/ Venue hire negotiations.
4/ Marketing and promotion techniques.
5/ Arena design and stage effects information.
6/ All the other bits I missed.

I don€™t expect any EO to regard these points too seriously, but you did ask. [/quote]

I think you have to remember that although in theory it would be good to all work together, the bottom line is that all 4 EOs are in fact commercial competitors. Things like how we negotiate with venues to get the best deal as an example, is up to each individual and there business skills.
Marketing and promotion, I think we both do the same.
Arena design, and stage effects, we each have our own views, and future aiims within our own show.

Im not being negative about what your saying, I'm being practical, and honest. There is a point up to a line which we can work together but once things start getting commercial, its doesnt work. I think as it stands now is about the best it will get.

A wise person once said to me.... Healthy competition is good for any business, as it stops complacency A true statement,

John
http://www.RoamingRobots.co.uk

[craig_colliass]

Re: The future of roboting

Thanks Jonno for your reply. I would still like to hear from the other EO€™s on the points raised if they would like to comment, but as always I respect their choice not to contribute if they don€™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]

Re: The future of roboting

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]

Re: The future of roboting

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 EO€™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 EO€™s so it is not anyone€™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 didn€™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 I€™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 EO€™s have a fair amount a experience in dealing with venues, and getting more than one involved might actually hinder negotiations.

2. Most EO€™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. I€™m sure if another EO wanted to rent something off another I wouldn€™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 that€™s about it all covered, keep the ideas coming!

[terry]

Re: The future of roboting

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]

Re: The future of roboting

Thanks Alan for your comments on the points that have been raised, I have found all of them very helpful in understanding how the EO€™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
€After all is said and done, there is usually lots to be done!€ :shock: :shock:

[dgr]

Re: The future of roboting

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]

Re: The future of roboting

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]

Re: The future of roboting

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.

[john]

Re: The future of roboting

well the arena can with stand it but its not very safe as we found out last year or whenever it was with tanto n dtk

[dgr]

Re: The future of roboting

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

I know not this concept of tools. lol