DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Are representations what makes Can Can hard?

Thu Dec 7 18:38:55 CST 2006

Well Randy, It's really kind of strange to me.

I basically do the same thing for a hobby as I do for my job.
After working on some product design all day, I find myself thinking of
robots as just another project to be done.
The difference is, robot projects don't pay anything... Still, I'm
embarassed to say that my robots and other robotic projects have been
sitting around for so long partially finished.

The robotic stuff is really the fun design stuff I always wanted to do a
money project for.
If I thought I could build robots and sell them for a good profit, I'd
be there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I know too many robot hobbyists,
they're (we're) cheap.

Maybe we could get some kind of advanced RBNO workshop going or
something. That might get me motivated.
I could volunteer my facility for an evening every week or two.

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Randy M. Dumse [mailto:rmd at newmicros.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 3:47 PM
To: Rick Bickle; 'Dprglist at Dprg.Org'
Subject: RE: [DPRG] Are representations what makes Can Can hard?

> Theoretically,
> locating the cans was not really the hard part. The hard part is 
> getting around to finishing the job... :)

Rick, well, what motivates you to get around to finishing? 

You need someone to race against? I started on an entry Wed before the
last contest.  I had one of those new grippers from Gordon on the front.
But I only got the chasis moving before the contest so didn't enter. 

Ron says he could make a robot to do it, but just lacks motivation. (He
says if someone would pay him $20,000 he'd do it. Think I'd take a piece
of that action too. Who woudn't?) 

Do we need a bigger prize pool? (Probably not, when money gets in it,
the fun goes away.)

Do a couple of us have to get some sort of side bet going to put the
"round tuit" rolling?

I really think a competitive challenge often gets us going. I also think
that is something we all owe to dpa. He has put out the challenge, and
we have been less than challenging to him.
This has repeated over several contests and many years. I think he is
disappointed we aren't taking up the gauntlet. 

Randy
www.newmicros.com