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Festival Pavilion
Just when you thought it was safe to stroll by the Festival Pavilion — look out — the battle robots are back. Mid-June marks the return of RoboGames 2006, a respected tournament organized by the Robotics Society of America. Formerly called ROBOlympics, this event attracts robots and their human allies from all over the globe.
The RoboGames tournament unites amateur and professional robot teams from locales such as the US, Canada, Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia. The competitors are highly specialized for their battles — the basic bipedal android does not reign at RoboGames. You are more likely to encounter heavily armored machines that scuttle or roll close to the ground and brandish weapons-grade appendages.
 Robotics expert and tournament organizer David Calkins has added hot new categories for 2006. As robot abilities evolve, so do the contests, which now include fire fighting, triathlons, solving mazes, balancing and obstacles, hockey, soccer, and robomagellan — autonomous outdoor navigation over different types of terrain. The ArtBot categories have also expanded to include contests for robot bartenders and painters.
Given the variety of battles, you can expect to see robots in configurations ranging from intelligent wheeled devices similar to NASA’s Mars Rover to spinning, sharp-edged discs, as well as contraptions that scurry about on articulated limbs. Robots come in all sizes too, from tiny constructions weighing mere ounces to hulking behemoths packing hundreds of pounds of heavy metal.
Also back by popular demand are the folks in shiny white body armor — costumed members of the Golden Gate Garrison of the 501st Stormtrooper Legion, the ultimate Star Wars fan group.
RoboGames score high in educational and entertainment value. Don't miss this celebrated San Francisco tradition. Admission is free for active duty enlisted military and dependents. Entry fees are 50 percent off for reservists and officers.
Refer to June 16 and www.robogames.net for details.
— Claudia Willen
Photos: R2D2 & Golden Gate Garrison members, 501st Stormtrooper Legion (top); Battle-ready robot (center)
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