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 Experience in Japan 2006
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Although Rook's Pawn did not qualify to participate in ROBO-ONE 10, we had the most memorable experience. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so apart from some of the food, the wonderful people that make up the nation made us feel quite welcome.

Nurse Maids - Photo by Duncan Lowne

Left - Matt and Rook's Pawn - Photo by Lem Fugitt | Right - The Pits - Photo by Duncan Lowne

As I was saying, Rook's Pawn was unable to qualify. We simply didn't come as prepared as we should have.  After Rook's Pawn was checked over for being within the proportional guidelines by the judges, he had to prove he could get up on his own after a fall, and then take ten consecutive steps within ten seconds.  Getting up was flawless on all accounts, but he fell on his sixth step. We were given the opportunity to alter our code and try a second time. Five minutes later, he kept falling on his eighth. If we were able to make further changes and make it back in time before the session closed, we could squeeze in. However, upon our return the judges were all gone. ...Maybe next time.

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I must admit, the fact that we were unable to participate kinda' worked out for the best. Now instead of focusing all of our energy toward winning an event, we were able to relax some and take it all in. Since we first got into humanoid robotics there have been several key players who have always been our favorites and  have been inspired by. We now had a perfect chance to match the faces and personalities with the names.


left - Matt, Yuta Sugiura (Retro), and Duncan | right - Sugiura-san and Dynamizer
Photos by Lem Fugitt

 We met the Sugiura family (creators of such robots as Dynamizer, Retro, and Kappa). We admired their excitement at the games so much that we made a "Retro #1" poster to hold up during the final round to show support for one of our newly found friends.

left - Senpuu Maru (Yokozuna Great Shirunui III) | right - Matt, Dr. GIY, and Duncan
Photo by Lem Fugitt

It just so happened that we shared our assigned pit table with none other than Dr. GIY and got first look at his new robot, Senpuu Maru - fully equipped with pastel colored flyswatters.

Jin Sato - SJ Robotics - Pirkus R
Photo by Lem Fugitt

Jin Sato has been one of those guys I've looked up to since I was into the Lego Mindstorms line. I was hoping to see him at RoboGames '06, but finally got the chance at ROBO-ONE 10.

 
Matt, Yuki Nakagawa - President RT Corp., and Mr. Nobuo Yamato - CEO Vstone
Photo by Lem Fugitt

I have had a great respect toward RT Corperation. They threw everything they had into their passion for robotics in order to start a school to help others improve their robotic skills. After reading a piece on Robots Dreams, we had to write them a letter expressing our feelings. Meeting Yuki Nakagawa during the after-event party was a real treat. As an added bonus, we had a chance to talk with Yamato-san, CEO of Vstone.  Vstone is well known for their creation of VisiON and a member of Team Osaka.

Chairman Terukazu Nishimura and Matt Bauer
photo by Lem Fugitt

On behalf of ComBots RoboGames/David Culkins, we presented a gift to ROBO-ONE founder, Nishimura-san. He was quite pleased to see foreign enthusiasts attending the event, and hopes to see more as time goes on. 

 
Matt and Laurent Lessieux
Photo by Lem Fugitt

Fellow Robosavvy member Laurent Lessieux was even there! Upon our departure and all the goodbye's, we coincidentally ran into him again at one of the train stations outside of Nagai.

Matt and Lem
Photo by Duncan Lowne

And of course, what would an event be without Lem? Lem Fugitt, the man behind Robots Dreams. He has helped blur the lines and spread the humanoid craze across the world! ...that's where I got my first peek into this exciting "hobby".

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Jen Bauer taking in the ROBO-ONE Experience - Photo by Duncan Lowne

Matt and Jen in front of Tsukumo Robot Kingdom - Akihabara, Japan
Photo by Duncan Lowne

Japanese Temple and Courtyard
Photos by Matt Bauer
 

Sunset from our plane window - heading back to the US.
Photos by Matt Bauer
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We can't wait to return!
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