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prong
Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 19 Jun 2004
Posts: 839
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RobotWars in PC PowerPlay
Interesting news. I recently got a job as deputy editor at PC PowerPlay, an Australian gaming and hardware magazine. I am in charge of the tech section, so from now on we will have a one or two page section on RobotWars in Aus each month.
In addition we will be building a PC PowerPlay robot to compete with and following its results as well as placing video online and on the magazine DVD. We will also be doing some reveiws/ explanations of hardware for the robot (spectrum, speed controllers, motors etc), and going through how we built it etc. It is not meant as a in depth contruction guide or anyhting, but should bring a bit more attention to the sport. Plus I hope to get a extended edition section up on our website for anything I do not have space for in the mag.
For more information people will be directed to the robowars website, as well as the NSW RFC website for information more specific to the PCPP robot fights. Hopefully this will serve to attract some more people to build our numbers, but even if it doesnt I get to play with robot stuff at work so I am happy
The current magazine issue should go on sale in the next few days, and it has a basic intro to the sport, our plan to build a robot plus a basic scissors paper rock overveiw of design
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Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:13 pm |
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prong
Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 19 Jun 2004
Posts: 839
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Hehehe, thanks
It is a pretty fun job, and I look forward to getting more robot stuff in as we go along, as well more hands on hardware Tutes.
Today I sorted a Spektrum and BR6000 from rchobbies.com.au for us to check out, so once they get them actually in stock the robot at least will have control!
Next step will be choosing the actual robot design and then I can put my new dodgy welding skills to use!
For our first robot we want something fun and exciting, but for now we are restricting ourselves from most spinner designs, as well as C02 and flamage for safety and legal reasons as we show how we put it together.
So far my fav ideas are a low pressure flipper (El Bravo styling), low speed drum bot (minimower stylin) or some sort of funky lifter clamp drill bot (Ala Sproing, Skeletor and Robort)
I am going to try and stick to using 100w scooter motors for drive, as they are cheap, easy to use and powerful. In regards to ESC and batteries etc, it will be whatever a company wants to sponsor us with in return for the exposure we can give their product through our articles, reveiws and website. Otherwise of course I will have to convince my editor to pony up some budget for some bits, but hopefully with the Magazine name behind me I can get most of the gear donated.
I welcome any and all suggestions on robot designs, contacts and content to put in the magazine! Once we get running and have a robot competing I will most likley exapnd the section to two pages and features some stuff like results, next event, international events, featured competitor etc.
Anyway I dont expect any real impact on competitior numbers from the articles right off, but hopefully down the track it will help build all our numbers a little, or at least get us a bit more widely known.
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Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:43 pm |
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