CHAPTER 1 ■ WELCOME ROBOT INVENTOR!Be sure to name your robot something clever or thought provoking. Avoid numbers, movie monikers,
and clown names (“M1734,” “R2-D2®,” “Fuzooo”). Instead, how about “Graham Cracker,” “Conqueror,” or
“Neighborhood Menace”?
At the premiere ceremony, consider playing some music. Are celebratory beers in order? Mood lighting?
Finding Camaraderie and Support
The World Wide Web has ushered in a new era of information sharing.Datasheets that describe a component
in complete detail can be obtained instantly from the web sites of manufacturers and resellers. A quick
search results in a plethora of robot-related material. Posted pictures and movies can be very informative
and inspiring.
Local robot clubs and hacker spaces are even better resources. For the social aspect, you get to meet
new friends, both humans and robots. More importantly, informal discussions often provide insight or help
with problem solving. Many clubs hold monthly or annual contests. If you have a competitive personality,
these opportunities can be highly motivational. Although prize values are still relatively low, you might
receive cool items you might not have purchased for yourself.
The physical locations of clubs can be found on the Web. Keyword searches work well. Most of the
larger associations provide lists of links to other clubs. So, finding one organization, even if it’s out of your
area, can possibly lead to a club in your area.
If you can’t find a local club, consider forming one. It’s easy to do—just have people meet at a public
library, museum, or community center.
Involve your family in your hobby. Not only will they be more genuinely appreciative of your
accomplishments, but their presence can also make the whole experience more deeply enjoyable. When I
went to my first robot contest in Illinois, I was struck by the family-friendly atmosphere. There were children
of all ages, husbands and wives, grandfathers, grandmothers, and friends.
Figure 1-14. A face to reckon with