Servo - January 2007

GEERHEAD

People Watching Assessments Surrounding RoboGeddon

In actual play, younger children generally defeat older kids because they have a much greater mastery of the joystick control and a familiarity with it, according to the RoboGeddon maker (RobotsRUs) company representative Andrew Cotterell.

Likewise, girls generally beat the boys as they concentrate more on how to score points and figure that part out more quickly. “All the boys want to do is flip and bash other bots,” says Cotterell (not surprising). Sometimes, players will find out they have been watching the wrong robot and wonder why it isn’t responding to the actions they take with the controls.

Player console close-up with lots of colors and buttons.

RoboGeddon Raptor robot close-up.

Static Install Statistics

Back to the Tangibles

The mobile version of RoboGeddon comes with a trailer system with hydraulically-operated sides that drop down to form the actual gaming platform. The platform installs in about an hour and is quite sturdy and permanent looking. This is an “all-weather” gaming system with a site space requirement of 11 meters square.

The RoboGeddon makers had thought that it would take longer to put up the mobile system in bad weather, but it actually takes less time as the crew works harder to get it up and get out of the rain.

The trailer system is complete unto itself with a foldout “crowd barrier system.” Ask the company about additional add-on features. In addition to coin-operated and human-operated game play, RoboGeddon can be set up for free play if you are providing it gratis for your family or guests. Game play is computer assisted.

The system is appropriate for indoor and outdoor attractions and anywhere guests or customers may congregate including theme parks, family entertainment centers, hotels, resorts, confer-

ence centers, fair grounds, trade shows, malls, museums, and go-kart tracks.

RoboGeddon’s gaming arena is 36 square meters, topped by an inflatable RoboDome. Four Cyber Raptor robots come with each setup and can be manipulated to flip other robots over or out of the way or to put themselves upright again once they have been flipped. The flipping and repositioning helps your robot to successfully get to an opposing robot’s corner to score.

Each robot is powered by a rapid recharge cell that can be recharged in the charge control system in about 45 minutes. There are four spare cells so that the robots don’t ever have to be without power.

The system also comes with installation and maintenance manuals, as well as training manuals for operation. Outside maintenance contracts are available from the company, as well as a phone number for expert consultation.

A permanently installed RoboGeddon can be had cheaper because the cost of the trailer system — which is not required — is subtracted from the total cost. Installs of the static system are highly customizable — including the size of the arena itself — to suit your permanent location.

This system is suitable for venues similar to those for the mobile system and includes piers, zoos, campgrounds, and other locations. Multiple game formats are available for “programmed computer-assisted” play.

Systems also come with four player controls/consoles with coin operation mechanisms, score panels, and bump goals. Remote score panels are also available.

RoboGeddon cost around 900,000 GBPs (about US $1.7 million) to build from initial research to today’s product

ROBOSOCCER — UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

RoboSoccer involves four players and four robots in soccer play in a space of about 7. 5 by 5 meters.

This rugged system is designed to be used constantly, so it is protected by impact-resistant barriers and surrounded by a crowd-retaining barrier.

Its integrated goal system and player control system are each fitted at both ends of the playing field, where players stand and manipulate the controls for a game of soccer that can last up to four minutes. The game system and equipment can be set up in three hours.

The system comes with four robot combat vehicles for soccer play that can

maneuver the soccer ball and other players around the playing field. The actual area that is available for play is 24 feet by 16 feet. There are two goal stations, two player stations, and each station controls two robots. The game is operated by a computer system that is programmed to control cash payments to play or free play, as well as the sound system for effects and background music and the robots. The robots operate on four batteries/power cells — one each — and there are four spare cells, as well.