A Very Pleasant Surprise

This weekend, Friday through Sunday to be exact, I was at RoboGames in San Francisco showing off SchmartBoards.  My friends at Servo Magazine had asked me if we'd be interested in being there.  I certainly wanted the opportunity to show our wares and spend time with the folks at Servo who are very good people...but the idea of spening my weekend at this show was not a happy one.  In fact outside of watching the San Jose Sabre Cats(Arena Football) on Saturday night, this was my entire weekend.

I must admit though, that I saw some neat stuff and met some interesting people.  One person that I enjoyed speaking to was Chris James who is part of the R2 Builders Club.  Here is a photo of me with him(He is on the right).  He fabricated this R2D2 robot that was amazing. It did everything that the movie robot did.  It took his several years and thousands of dollars.  I aksed him why he felt inspred to do it.  He did not have to answer, the reason become evident to me very quickly. 

There is nothing more warming that seeing the amazement and joy on the faces of children and that is the expression that I watched throughout the weekend as child after child brightened up my day.  It was like Christmas morning and I had a front row seat.  Chris was camped out by the Servo booth so it was perfect.

I have seen the combat robots on TV.  It is cool ...robots tearing each other apart.  Banging metal, sparks, smoke and an eventual victor.  What red blooded male(and many females) would not enjoy the carnage?   It is the combination of technology and sports that makes it so appealing.  TV though, does not do it justice.  It is thunderous and more exciting in person.  Some of these machines were over 300 pounds with a spinning titanium blade.  I recommend this event highly..and may find myself back there next year as just a spectator, by choice!

Comments

[Chris]

Hi Niel

Thanks for the kind words. It was really nice hanging out with you over the weekend.

I have a lot more photos in my gallery from the event.

www.artoo-detoo.net/gallery/v/events/robogames08

Hope to see you at Maker Faire next year, if not sooner.

Cheers
Chris