Real Robots Live - multiplayer real life robotics game - cal

Community General Discussions
1

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Hi guys, [/highlight][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Just wanted to make you all aware of a new project, and gather your ideas. [/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]The project is called Real Robots Live and will make it possible to log onto a live robot over the internet and drive it around a remote arena.[/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]You’ll have full control over the robot via the software and will be able to see the camera images that stream from the robot’s perspective. It’s a high res, low latency feed on the robots and around the arena. [/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Lots of these robots will be playing in the same arena - a real life online multiplayer game! [/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]We want robots to be able to construct structures, destroy them using weapons and interact with the arena (opening doors,etc.). [/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Once online, we want to setup RealRobotsLiveTV so everyone can watch live events.[/highlight][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]This is a call for ideas. This is a game with the real world as it’s engine. What would you like to see in this?[/highlight][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Check out our videos: [/highlight][/font]website
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Follow us on [/highlight][/font]twitter[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef] and[/highlight][/font]
facebook

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]In 2-3 months we are aiming to crowdfund the project. [/highlight][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Cheers,[/highlight][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][highlight=#e7eaef]Lewis[/highlight][/font]

2

One of the main issues will be battery power, and the fact that you’ll need staff on-site to change them every time they are empty.
You might want to set up “guarded” wireless charging stations and display remaining battery power via the user interface.
Another issue will be if the rover falls over onto its side; once again, you’ll need a human to right it, unless the rover works in all orientations.
Rather than picking up and moving structures, you might just opt for solid blocks which can be pushed.
The simpler the game play the better, and if you incorporate augmented reality, it can be potentially quite popular.

3

Hey,

Each site will have staff to swap out batteries and assist stuck robots :slight_smile:

Yeah using robotic arms to construct things may lower the pace, so simple gameplay could be best.

Augmented reality is good idea - we will look into how whether we could do this!

What other features would you think would make this really cool?

Cheers,
Lewis

4

It will likely come down to an approach where as few people physically around the arena need to be involved as possible.
As soon as you have humans having to “help”, the participants will feel like the concept is not “polished”.
Your biggest issue will still be batteries / recharging.