Ideas for a Robot Show

[arixrobotics]

Hi guys,

I was asked to do a 'robot show' for a family gathering (extended family, so >50 people) later this year. I was wondering if you guys could help me come up with some ideas on whats best to show.

The idea is just to have something cool and 'robotic' to entertain the crowd as they wait for the actual event to start. It wouldn't be a 'formal' show on stage or anything like that. I will just setup everything by the sidewalk and people will just gather around. It will be outdoors, either on cemented floor or grass.

So I was thinking, what would be the best 'robot show' for such event (and location). I wanted it to be interesting for both adults and kids, and would really like it to be interactive. And hopefully would also be 'inspiring' such that the kids would want to study hard and take engineering and build robots later on in their life

Here are some of the ideas I've came up with:

1. Remote-controlled sumo robot. Just like a sumo robot competition, but the audience can control the robot and take on each other. So this will be interactive, and fun to watch as the robots hit each other. The setback of this idea is that it will need a really flat surface to work on (the sumo ring), which is not readily available and I'll have to make one.

2. Remote-controlled robosoccer. Similar to idea #1, but robosoccer. This type of robot can work on less flatter surfaces, so I can just use the cemented floor as the playing field. Will also be very interactive, and promotes teamwork between the players (I'm thinking 2-on-2 game). However, my concern is on the 'controllability' of the soccerbots. I'm assuming a total beginner would have a really difficult time figuring out how to control their robots properly, so it will get frustrating after a short while. Its easy to control an RC car-like robot, but to get it to chase a small ball around would be really difficult for a total beginner.

3. Something like an R2-D2. Basically a 'social' robot, interacting with people through movements and simple beeps. It will most likely be remote-controlled, I will just hide somewhere and wirelessly control all the movement / beeps the robot make depending on what the people around it are doing / saying. I kind of like this idea, but I dont know just how interactive will it be. Are simple movements and beeps enough to get people excited? And I always hate it when people ask "So what else does it do?"

I've got a couple of other ideas, but are mostly based on the above mentioned ones. Just something like using meccannum / omniwheels instead of normal differential steering would excite the inquisitive minds among them, etc.

So what do you guys think would be the best 'robot show'? Any other ideas? Anything is welcomed

[VegaObscura]

You forgot to mention the most important factor: what is your price range?

[arixrobotics]

OMG I got busy with work and totally forgotten about this.

Anyway, VegaObscura, I didn't forget to mention the price range. I intentionally didn't want to mention it, so that ideas can be less constrained. Plus I'm kinda rich right now   (as long as its along the normal hobbyist budget, should be OK)

And just to let u all know, I've sort of decided what to do. I'm thinking of making an RC-car with mecannum wheels, and the audience can play around with them. It will be interesting for them to see something different, and hopefully some will be intrigued enough to ask and understand how come the car can move in all directions, including side-ways.

And if time permits, I'll probably build a Segway-style robot too. Another locomotion system that will challenge normal thinking

But I'm still open to any ideas if you have one

[T0110100101101101K]

If cost is not a big deal...With that big of a family, why not look at a quad copter with camera attached?  If you preprogram a flight plan, you could probably stage some cool shots to share with everyone.  Of course you'll have to hope weather cooperates.

[arixrobotics]

Hey (how do I say your name?), thats act a good idea. then those who do not get to try out or just too shy, can just enjoy watching the copter and whatever its displaying on the screen.

thanks mate! 

[knossos]

(how do I say your name?)

My guess would be Tim K.  Since 1011011010010110 represents ascii IM.

[Asellith]

What about a ball bearing rub Goldberg machine? Something that has a bunch of moving parts and doesn't do much but toss steal balls around. 

[arixrobotics]

Good idea too Asellith. I'm thinking maybe I could just prepare some stuff, and let them build their own rub goldberg machine. that will be more interactive and engaging. hmm... will think about it more...

[billhowl]

How about Hexapod - Best of Dance?
[youtube]pXMnbNoccgA[/youtube]

[sparta98]

Build an exosuit! It doesn't really have to do much, but it'd be neat. For extra fun, get a t-shirt cannon mounted on it's arm.

[hoosier122]

Two robots that each follow a different laser pointer. They could race them play soccer, navigate obstacke courses, chase cats or play soccer.

[BANE]

you could mount a flamethrower on a robot and have people drive it around in an arena with flammable objects.  Thats what i did last summer with some fam and friends.  However, obviously this is rather dangerous but puts on a great show!

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=12925.0 

[voyager2]

you could mount a flamethrower on a robot and have people drive it around in an arena with flammable objects.  Thats what i did last summer with some fam and friends.  However, obviously this is rather dangerous but puts on a great show!

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=12925.0 

Nice
But remember extended family = overprotective parents (and you say; so what if someone gets third degree burns   )

How about buying one of those cheap RC helicopters and drop stuff on the guests?
Nothing big, maybe the Dinner menus or something .
 

[Ro-Bot-X]

I was always amazed by the creativity of the AFOLs (Adults Fans Of Lego). Just watch this video, then go to the following website because that was the idea that sparked the creation of the Great Ball Contraption:

[youtube]gFZ7x4s1eHo[/youtube]

The Cooperative Cybernetic Crate Contraption

Edit: I uploaded one of the Overview videos on Youtube:

[youtube]U9gEUdI-Kk8[/youtube]