RoboGames
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RoboGames (previously ROBOlympics) is an annual robot contest held in San Francisco, California. The next RoboGames will be held in June 12-15, 2008.
RoboGames is the world's largest open robot competition (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) Competitors from all over the world compete in 70 different events: Combat robots, walking humanoids, soccer bots, sumo bots, and even androids that do kung-fu. About 2/3's of the robot events are autonomous, while the remaining 1/3 are remotely operated (ROV's.) Despite this a large plurality of entrants in RoboGames remain in the remotely operated events, specifically combat robotics.
The Best Ten North American Geek Fests - Wired Magazine
SportCenter's Top Ten - ESPN SportsCenter
RoboGames was founded as the ROBOlympics in 2004. Founder David Calkins, who worked with all types of robot competitions, realized the need for cross-pollination between events, as too many robot builders over-specialized within their own field. By bringing builders from combat robotics (mechanical engineering), together with soccer robotics (computer programming), sumo robotics (sensors), androids (motion control), and art robots (aesthetics), robot builders could exchange ideas and learn more.
The second goal of RoboGames is to offer recognition to engineers from around the world in varying disciplines with consistent rule-sets and low-cost or free contestant fees. RoboGames claims to never charges kids or primary/secondary schools an entry fee. By offering gold, silver, and bronze medals, and inviting the best robot builders from countries other than just the US, RoboGames gives everyone a chance to excel and compete on a level playing field.
[edit] Previous ROBOlympics/RoboGames medals awarded
- The 2007 RoboGames was held June 15-17th, 2007, with medals awarded in 62 competitions. Teams registered from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, S. Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK, and the USA. The USA again took tops with 33 gold, 34 silver, and 27 bronze. Next best countries were Singapore, China, Taiwan, Austria, S. Korea, UK, Japan, Mexico and Brazil (which took two surprise gold medals from top-ranked USA in lightweight and middleweight combat.)
- The 2006 RoboGames awarded medals in 42 competitions; With the USA netting 79 medals, 10 medals to Singapore contestants, and 6 medals to the UK. Teams competed from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, S. Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK, and the USA
- The 2005 RoboGames awarded medals in 34 competitions; USA contestants netting 78 medals, 9 to Singapore contestants, and 5 to Japan. Teams competed from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore, the UK, and the USA.
- The 2004 ROBOlympics awarded medals in 35 competitions; of these the USA was first with 70 medals, 15 to Japanese contestants in second, and 5 to Canada for third. Teams competed from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, the UK, and the USA.
