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Spockie-Tech
Site Admin
Joined: 31 May 2004
Posts: 3160
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Technically speaking, We should not accept underage drivers of *any* type of robot without permission from their parent/guardian.
So there is no possibility of a minor competing with a flame thrower unless an adult allows them to.
*Safety Rant* -
The problem is that there are still plenty of inexperienced adults who could hurt themselves.. Even if the law is more likely to hold them more responsible for their own actions than a minor, we dont want to see them hurt at all.
Fortunately, since we are a fairly small community at present, Its not too hard to get an idea of who is technically competent to build what.
Some of us are great machinists, others have a good understanding of metallurgy, pressurised gas systems, mechanical mechanisms, electronic controls and so on. None of us is an expert at everything, but since we're all friendly (outside the Arena), we can look at each others work and offer feedback in our area of expertese.
An new inexperienced builder undertaking an ambitious and dangerous project can expect to have their work scrutinised much more carefully than an "old-hand" who knows the value of failsafes and what a combat robot has to deal with. Builders meetings are great for this sort of thing.
As the sport grows, the rules have to get tighter and more clearly defined and more rigourously enforced.. Hopefully by that stage we will be able to generate some income for the sport so we can pay professionals to handle tech inspections and the like.
Until then, its up to each and every one of us to keep an eye on what the NooB's of any age are up to and let them know if we think they're being stupid or careless and how they can do it safely. _________________ Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people
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Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:17 pm |
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