Antimov Update

Bigger prizes and some rule clarifications for the Antimov Competition coming in October.

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The Antimov competition is coming! On October 16th, SparkFun will turn into an arena of weird robots on literal suicide missions. We've had lots of questions and suggestions about the competition, and we've clarified a few rules, but before we get to that, let's talk about the most important change: CASH MONEY!

So you've built a robot, it's taken money and time, and its modus operandi is to destroy itself? Why would any sane person do this for a chance at a measly $300? That's a great question and one that was asked to us a few times. Since we couldn't think of an answer, we decided to sweeten the pot. The new prize structure is as follows:

Minimum $1000 cash prize for the winning live performance day of the competition. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! With each entry, we'll add $100 dollars to the pot, meaning if all 25 entries are claimed, the prize will be $3500.

We're also setting a minimum $500 cash prize for the winning video entry. With each video entry, we'll add $50 to the pot, with a cap of $2500 (40 entrants). After 40 entrants, videos will still be accepted but the prize will not grow any larger.

We've also had some questions about the rules, and it seems that some people are still thinking of this competition like a traditional robotics gathering. So we'd like to clarify some of the rules (or lack thereof).

  • Your robot may use and react to props in the performance area, and you may place any props in the playing area that you like, given that they do not put spectators in danger.

For example:

- Bring a tall platform. Have your robot jump off of it.

- Suspend something heavy in the air. Have your robot stand under it when it falls.

- Bring a giant pot of water/oil/solder. Have your robot boil in it.

- Anything you can think of that is not dangerous to spectator is fair game. The more creative, the higher the score.

  • Your robot may actually be multiple robots. We had a question about using multiple robots that react to each other as well as their environment. This is perfectly within the rules. As long as the performing device(s) are not directly controlled by a human and follow all of the rules, they are fair game. However, all the robots must destroy themselves to get top score, so keep that in mind.
  • The performance of your robot may rely heavily on the environment itself, and react to anything that is not a human (i.e. it can't react to you, this is illegal control).

For example:

- The robot can be guided by infrared transmitters in the environment.

- If the robot must be suspended in the air, the robot doesn't necessarily have to climb a rope or ladder, the rope or ladder
could be attached to a device that pulls up at the necessary time.

The cardinal goal here is creativity. The weirder the better. Plenty of people have built battle robots and line followers. This is the chance to create something the likes of which have never been seen. Let's get strange.


Comments 18 comments

  • scharkalvin / about 14 years ago / 3

    You do realize you are asking us to have the robot disobey the third law of robotics? (Although the second law does allow for this).

    • Entropy512 / about 14 years ago / 1

      I think that's the whole point of the contest, and one of the main reasons for its name.

    • lmpg / about 14 years ago / 1

      Hence the "Antimov" name (as in, anti- Asimov's three laws of robotics).

  • vmspionage / about 14 years ago / 3

    1) I feel really bad for that poor robot. :'(
    2) The new prize structure is AWESOME! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Way to go SparkFun! =)

  • CHaskins / about 14 years ago / 2

    " I know now why you cry"
    but it is something I can never do.

    • Ding Ding! You have correctly identified the reference! You gain 10,000 internet points. Congratulations.

  • CommitteeoftheUn-named / about 14 years ago / 2

    Chainsaw of Damocles (8-/

  • Oh wow! Those pictures are so beautiful! HAHAHA! You should do a sort of frame by frame video with that robot. A cardboard chucky!

  • quasi-engineer / about 14 years ago / 1

    The whole destruction at the end thing isn't so far out of mainstream engineering. Take for instance my father-in-law, who had a hand in cruise missle engine design. Had to work perfectly, had to be efficient and budget friendly, got blown up in spectacular fashion with first use.

  • Jassper / about 14 years ago / 1

    Only one question - Does Boxy, "know" that a chain saw will drop on his head when he cuts the cord?

  • Mysterio / about 14 years ago / 1

    Giant pots of boiling oil or solder aren't dangerous to the audience? Just how far away is the audience going to be? :S

  • Darke / about 14 years ago / 1

    This looks like the best robot competition ever. Are you guys going to post youtube vids or pics?

  • koolatron / about 14 years ago / 1

    The piece of wood holding the chainsaw to the floor appears to be taped down with the same stuff holding CardboardBot together. It must be amazingly tough!

  • phalanx / about 14 years ago / 1

    You should tighten the chain on the saw before it hurts a human!

  • tommy321 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Those pictures remind me of the Bunny Suicides comic.
    http://blog.jimmyr.com/Hilarious_Bunny_Suicides_Comic_14_2008.php
    Maybe someone can get inspiration from those.

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