Like many others, who end up in the robotics field, I've always been a "tinker-er" when I was younger. Taking things apart to see how they work, buying electronics lab kits and completing all the circuits without opening the book, you know, typical stuff. Well now that I'm older, it's become a passion and a career choice. Don't mistake my age however, I'm only in high school, but I do plan on pursuing a higher level education in the field of engineering. Anyway being in high school, it's difficult enough to be accepted by others when your interested in "geeky" things, but it's no better being in an Arts school. Everyday I wake up and go to school with a bunch of right brained creatives, and as a right brained as well as a left brained person, I do fit in pretty well, but as soon as my passion for math and science come up, I'm pretty much alone in the water.
That's why I decided to start a robotics club in my school. Maybe not the best idea, but I hope to spawn an interest in the artistic possibilities of robotics; getting ideas for robotic concepts from creative minds that are not limited by the boundaries of technology. Just think, you've seen robotic movies like WALL-E, and look how many ideas that movie sparked, I believe that that happened because the robots never had to be built, they could simply be and do anything without the technicalities of actual construction. I hope that the ideas conjured by my peers will be able to be interpreted by technology and created and constructed as a robot as well as art. Obviously I do not believe that ALL of my colleagues' ideas will be able to be executed, but, possible alternatives and perhaps simple innovations could be developed.
So far, my robot club seems to be a success, though I have not held a[n] (actual) meeting yet, the first one is scheduled for this Thursday. There seems to be a simple interest floating around my modest school, I even got one of the security guards interested... Anyway, I hope that my club gains some footing and we actually build something. I am not expecting much, my knowledge is limited, and obviously so are my peers', but I'm still learning, and enjoying every bit of it.
That's why I enjoy websites such as this one. Unlike other sites, everyone here is supportive as well and suggestive, ideas are shared, information is stored, and beginners are welcomed. My only regret is not finding this site any sooner.
Thank you to everyone who have contributed to this site, and I hope that the rumored "account cut-backs" (if you will) don't effect the quality of this website.