Annual RoboGames showcases fighting bots

So we would be downright remiss if we didn't mention that the RoboGames competition went down this weekend at San Francisco State University. The contest pits remote-controlled fighting bots going head to head in a bulletproof steel arena (which we're sure is absolutely necessary — it can get pretty ugly, folks). We had some serious money plunked down on the superheavyweight Alcoholic Stepfather, pictured above, because anything that can spew 25 feet of flame and be so irreverently politically incorrect is pretty much OK in our book.

[Niles Barrabas @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Just a pet peeve here but remote control vehicles are NOT robots. Robots are fully autonomous

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Sorry, your wrong.

ro�bot
n.

1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance.
2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control.
3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others.

And the orgin of the word robot comes from the Czech robota meaning servitude, or forced labor. nothing about autonomous.

[Stephen Crosby @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Hold on while I look up a word in the dictionary, look at what a smart ass I am everybody!

I agree with #1, remote controlled fighters are nowhere near as cool or as intellect involved as autonomous robots would be. I would love to see that, it would be about the best software writing as well as the best mechanical engineering. Awesome.

[Amanda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

I personally don't care whether they're robots or remote control miniature tanks. As long as the fighting is good!

I attended this event on the weekend, but don't have a camera. I am interested in anyone who might have pictures I could look at. I really want a picture of the Scottish team that made typhoon, as my friends don't believe me about them. I'd be happy to keep the images only for myself and not publish them online and all. Anyway, my email is [e-mail] . Please and thank you!

[e_bar_goum @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

#2- uhuh... heres another definition

(exert its a page long) "a robot may have a human override funtion or be romote controled, but to qualify as a robot it must have some ability to ACT and REACT on its own without human intervention.

the simple fact is that there is no REAL definition for a robot yet :)