BrickCon 2010 Robot Competition

This year's robot competition at BrickCon will be a racing competition. Build and program a robot able to race around an irregularly shaped gradient track while avoiding obstacles on the track. The track is approximately two feet wide, with black in the center/inner edge, gradually changing to white at the outer edge. Racing will be in a clockwise direction. Obstacles, no wider than 8", will be placed anywhere on the track, and may be moving.

Here is an example of what the track might look like:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/David/SMART/Samples/Arenas/brickcon2010_racingmat.gif

There will be multiple runs, each time getting more complex. The race will start
without any obstacles. Subsequent runs will have longer tracks, and more
obstacles. Finally the obstacles will start moving slowly, initially in the same
direction you are going. Your score will be based both on how fast you complete
each lap, and how well you avoid the obstacles. Touching and, even more so,
moving obstacles will add to your time.

Third party and custom sensors ARE allowed. Otherwise only LEGO elements may be
used for building. All robots must have a minimal ground clearance of 1/4" due
to the edges between various sections of the track. Only rotating wheels may
touch the mat itself. All sensors and other parts must be at least 1/4" above
the mat.

In order to encourage more people to try this, here is a sample program that
will accomplish at least part of the competition.

http://www.robot-city.org/Samples/RaceStarter.rbt

Build a robot with two motors, one for the left wheel, one for the right, put a
light sensor in front, and with minor tweaks, this program should at least get
your robot moving around the track. While the program detects the obstacles, how
to handle them will be up to you.

There are a few different types of awards for this competition, so your chances
of winning something are great! I hope to see you and your robot at BrickCon
2010. Remember, you need to register to participate.
https://www.brickcon.org/catalog/3

BrickCon 2010

Now is the time to register for BrickCon 2010, September 30th through October 3rd. This year’s Theme is “Tales of the Brick!” Build your Tale and tell (and show) it to the world!

We return to the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and have added the Rainier Room (Northwest Rooms) to our venue space. We’ll be using the Rainier Room (6,000 sq ft) for all of our Convention Activities including the Thursday Meet and Greet and our General Assemblies, seminars and contests.

Registering now will guarantee you’ll receive a customized engraved name badge you can wear proudly to the entire three day (four if you count Thursday – and we do!) event. Included with your registration will be a great Goody Bag, a Free Luncheon on Friday. And, if you’re old enough, you can attend our Thursday Meet and Greet get together where mixed drinks, beer and wine will be available ($4 per drink – cash only) along with free Mexican fare (snacks).

If you procrastinate too long, September 15th is the “deadline”, we cannot guarantee the terrific Goody Bag and custom badge. Registration will close September 28th. Then registration will only be at the door at the Exhibition Hall.

Visit www.brickcon.org now for details and Register Now!

Prices:

Adult Registration (21+) $65
Young Adult Registration (18-21) $60
Under 18 (Teen) Registration (must include an Adult (21+) as a package) $60
T-Shirts $15 – $17.50
Convention Model $20

Wayne Hussey
BrickCon

LEGO Games Tour Comes To Northwest

The LEGO Games Summer Tour makes a stop at Seattle Center in Seattle from Friday, August 27 through Sunday, August 29th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. It will then be stopping at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland from Friday, September 3rd through Monday, September 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. At these free family events, parents and kids can enjoy playing and building with LEGO blocks, including life-sized versions of the new LEGO games.

LEGO Games Summer Tour

At the LEGO Games Summer Tour stop, families can build and then be robots, race through a labyrinth, travel up a pyramid, and play against other families to win great prizes.

These LEGO Days games are based on new LEGO Games, such as Minotaurus, Ramses Pyramid, and Robo Champ. Each of these toy games is designed with the idea that families can break them apart, change and redesign them, and then build them again.

LEGO Days attendees can also try to guess the number of bricks in a LEGO minotaur model to earn a chance to win a trip to LEGOLAND in California.

For more information visit Facebook.com/LEGOGames or the news section at games.LEGO.com.

Local LEGO Certified Professional Interviewed

Dan Parker, one of only 11 LEGO Certified Professionals is interviewed on the television show "New Day Northwest" about his work. Learn more about Dan Parker and his studio "City Blocks" in Tacoma: Web www.TbPcityblocks.com & www.facebook.com/cityblocks

Pacific Northwest LEGO Film

AFOL(Adult Fans Of LEGO) A Blocumentary is a short documentary film about LEGO builders and enthusiasts that reside in the Pacific Northwest. The film visits people's homes, club meetings, and conventions that take place in the region. The film was released in early 2010 and was directed by Jess Gibson.

AFOL A Blocumentary from AFOL on Vimeo.

Brickfest Website Launches

The annual spring-time lego convention in Portland Oregon Brickfest, has formally launched their website for 2009. The currently are looking for volunteers and panelists for the upcoming show.

Post Brickcon articles and photos!

Hi Gang!

Isaac Alexander asked my to post these links for him. I hope I do as good a job as he does. I have been so busy with other stuff lately that I completely forgot that Brickcon was this last weekend And me being a Lego geek, for-shame!

Any ways I hope you enjoy the links and please feel free to comment about the links, especially if you made it to the con.

Cheers ~ Jim

Articles
http://io9.com/5059315/the-zombie-apocalypse-++-in-legos
http://www.brothers-brick.com/category/lego/events/
http://www.brickpile.com/2008/10/06/home-from-brickcon/
http://www.jacksonfish.com/blog/2008/10/06/the-first-step-is-admitting-you-have-a-problem/
http://www.toycollectornews.com/2008/10/lego-brickcon-comes-to-end-new-sets-on.html
http://aubreyplusmichael.com/blog/?p=54
http://josh.jeppsons.org/microsquash/2008/10/brickcon-2008.html
http://www.tabletownonline.com/blog/2008/10/04/steam-2008-day-one/
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/legovention_11390.asp
http://rabidspacedog.com/?p=524
http://www.gizmodo.jp/2008/10/post_4456.html
http://www.gamereactor.no/nyheter/115182/Lego+Left+4+Dead%3F/?sid=a4d1c6c72831e87cdccc2456c4c6e034
http://www.creanova.fr/blog/autourduweb/convention-lego-brickcon-2008
http://universe.lego.com/en-us/NewsNetwork/Story.aspx?id=89061
http://journal.andrewloe.com/2008/10/21/brickcon-2008
http://rykat.blogspot.com/2008/10/brickcon-day-2.html
http://washingtonperkins.blogspot.com/2008/10/brick-con-2008.html
http://eventsoil.com/2008/10/09/the-masses-descend-on-brickcon08/

Photo Galleries
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nwbrickcon/pool/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billward/sets/72157607724348933/

Video
http://www.brickjournal.com/news/2008/10/18/a-day-at-brickcon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKpUlmviks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv26OlFv_t4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRjLZYzHgGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09R22Y-TGmU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlrsj6lyXnQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNKCeXuUUM4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmeE8mEK5Dg&feature=related

Northwest Brickcon Interview

BrickCon is taking place right now in Seattle. There's a podcast interview of the organizers of this years event here.