Although the dates have not been released yet, it seems like Robogames is usually held in late April. I have been to the US in mid-late April for the past 3 years now to participate in the FIRST Robotics Championship and fully intend to go next year+spend some extra time there after.

I have some friends in San Fran I am hoping to visit and competing with a 60lb'er sounds fun and achievable.

Qantas & United are quite nice in that you get two 23kg bags with an economy seat( plenty of weight for a 60lbers stuff+spares+tools).

Any suggestions/Info for someone interested in attending next year( not particularly looking for a team)?

Wouldn't be bringing a super complicated robot, just a chassis with unreasonably thick wedge(s)( my 30lb nationals robot will probably be a proof of concept/test)

Depending on the local events, I would like to take my lightweight, which is around 80% finished. Its been on the back-burner for several years due to conflicts with other events but it really needs to be let loose on those USA bots

Going as a team saves weight - you can share tools, chargers etc.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

Whats registration like? Is it fairly easy to get a spot or is it more of a "click the button at the right time" kinda thing

Back in the day, everyone left it until the last minute. This year, the lightweight division filled up super fast. I would definitely try to register in the first week next year.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

I'm interested in taking a lightweight multibot (essentially 2x featherweights) over, but realistically not until 2019. Unfortunately my in-laws no longer live near San Fran

The last Robogames was held out in Pleasanton, inland & south of SF. Its a good 45 minute drive from the airport so we would want a shuttle bus.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

The BART (train) does run all the way out to Pleasanton from the airport IIRC. But rental cars, Uber and Lyft are all quite economical ways of getting around if you have a few people, depending on time of day. Just need to avoid the 580 and 880 freeways during rush hour at all costs. Those are notorious parking lots.

LOL, you just became the team navigator!
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

Also check the weight limit rules. At one time it was 20kg/bag AU->US but 50lb (23kg) per bag on the return flight, which gives you 6kg of stuff you can order from Banebots while you're there.

Forget about Banebots, that's spare weight for the trophies!
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

Registration has been open for a few hours for those interested, I was just able to nab the last spot on the 60lb signup. Although plenty of waitlist spots still available.

Thanks for the heads-up, its craxy how the spots fill up so fast when they used to stay open for months in the past. I guess we have Battlebots to thank for that.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion