CHAPTER 27 ■ ENCORESeattle Robotics Society Robothon
Every year, the Seattle Robotics Society holds Robothon, an open house gathering of robots, robot
enthusiasts, resellers, and members of the public. At that event, not only do they hold Robot Sumo and
Fire-Fighting contests, but they also hold other contests such as line following and maze solving.
It’s worth attending Robothon even if you don’t have a robot to enter in the contest. For more
information, including their newsletter, meeting minutes, and photographs, visit
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/ or http://www.robothon.org/.
Dallas Personal Robotics Group Roborama
The Dallas Personal Robotics Group (DPRG) features some of the more practical contests, which are very
inviting to people just getting started. Using a specified arena, four different tasks are presented, one at a time.
- Quick Trip – The robot drives straight from one end of the arena to the other, and
then back again. - Line Following – An easy course shaped a little like the outline of a letter “T” on its side.
- T-Time – The same T-shaped course without the line. The dimensions are published
in advance, walls surround the arena, and solid lines appear before each corner of
the T. So, there are a number of simple ways to effectively tackle the course. - Can-Can – The most challenging, but the most interesting as well. The robot has up to
ten minutes to fetch up to six empty soda cans placed upright throughout the arena.
From year to year, DPRG Roborama features additional contests. For details, visit http://www.dprg.org/
competitions/index.html.
Central Illinois Robotics Club
In the Midwest, the Central Illinois Robotics Club holds an annual robot contest. They have a great turnout
from many surrounding states, in a family-friendly, kid-friendly atmosphere.
Although emphasis is placed on several different-size classes of Robot Sumo (including a LEGO
division), they also dabble in line following. I’ve attended the event in the past and plan to again in the
future. Maybe I’ll see you there?
To learn more, visit http://circ.mtco.com/.
Chicago Area Robotics Group (Chibots)
Last, but not least, is my hometown robotics club. Chibots holds regular meetings in the northwest
suburbs of Chicago. They also hold a bi-annual event at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
and the iHobby Expo. Chibots has defined rules for over a dozen different robot contests, which are
held based on registration.
The Chibots web site is http://www.chibots.org/.
The Great Wide Open
I hope this book has given you the confidence, knowledge, and enthusiasm to send you headfirst into
robotics. There’s plenty to do and lots of interesting projects to start. You couldn’t have picked a better time
to begin this fascinating and rewarding hobby.
Thank you for reading this book. It was a real joy to write.