as an entertainment perspective vs a competitive perspective what would you like to see more of?

more reliable bots (it drove me crazy in miami) and three minute matches

I would like to see some 120 or 220 pound meltys spinning at 6k

Id like to see more frequent competitions, especially for some of the larger weightclasses,

love to see effective designs that not only kick booty but have some more aesthetics like diesector and gear crow.

Actually, I think that what we have are basically modified rc cars.

How much longer before combat robots are no longer on wheels?? Soon enough, everything will be flying or hovering and shooting lasers,etc.

The typical wheeled bot with edge or spinner will be passe.

I think that if you take away the human factor, it won't be as interesting...

I like the idea of 3 dimensional combat..

armored multirotor copters could be very cool to watch

I'd like to see an east coast HW arena/yearly competition.

rjw wrote:

I think that if you take away the human factor, it won't be as interesting... I like the idea of 3 dimensional combat.. armored multirotor copters could be very cool to watch

In my opinion, armored and flying won't go too well together. While they may be cool, you'll just wind up with a bunch of fights ending in 1 hit KO's that all look the same at normal speed.

On the other hand, I think an automous melty would be incredibly cool....

For now, regular competitions would be of the most benefit to most teams.

As I see it, there are two realistic/logical ways the sport could change in a gradual way, and the order I prefer is
1. Make at least part of each battle autonomous--this would force a level of sophistication in control and sensors that is currently lacking

2. Make the arena something more than just an open, uniformly flat surface. Maybe ramps at first, then steps (giving a real advantage to walking bots), then "mounds" or other curved surfaces, finally add stuff like rocks (non-uniform, movable), mud, and grass.

Of course, there are some limitations in certain weight classes and/or "leagues" that could be changed. (But generally are there for practical reasons) For instance:
add arena hazards in the 12/15 lb class
allow projectiles
allow flame weapons
allow electrical/magnetic weapons
allow flight
eliminate the 'entanglement' restriction
allow liquid/arena-fouling attacks

How about team matches--two bots vs. two bots?

And if you really want to push the envelope, someone should design a robot that can climb the walls! To my knowledge, this is currently allowed, but no one has attempted it.

Also, I'm still waiting for someone to make a double drum. (call it NoGyro)

One last thought==fight to the knockout/tapout. Just imagine- no more judges. I think this would actually make the people who have to do the awful job of judging really happy. (and probably lead to some potentially LONG BORING matches, I suppose)

I could see a lot of controversy over tag team or just team in general because of who gets paired up with who.
Now if it was just two from the same school then it wouldn't be bad but the schools that already dominate will do so twice as bad.

as far as tag team goes i would say both teams would have to agree to fight together, i wouldn't force people to be teamed with people they don't want to be with.

and that poor arena =P

I know....I know.....I know. What i want to see more of...... the students of Miami Lakes Educational Center designing their own robots!