From just under an ounce to a thousand pounds, bots of all shapes and abilities will take over the campus this Friday through Sunday, March 25-27, for the second annual International RoboGames. Teams from as far away as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Germany and South Korea will be competing for prizes including the coveted RoboGames roboticized medals.

The SFSU School of Engineering, which is hosting the event, will be well represented. Assistant Professor Mike Holden's autonomous bot will vie to win the Magellan competition, a navigational test of the robots on a journey through the campus. SFSU students are readying two robot soccer teams. The "SF State Mutts" will take on all challengers in the Aibo dog soccer competition and the "SF Gators" will get the job done on wheels.

Other competitions and demonstrations include combat, sumo, boxing, fire fighting and even bartending. Last year's fierce combat competition attracted the likes of "MicroNightmare," "Devil's Plunger" and "Sunflower."

"This is the largest robot competition in the world," says David Calkins, engineering lecturer and organizer of the Games. "Two hundred and twelve teams using 454 robots are competing in more than 40 events throughout the weekend."

Spectators attending the RoboGames will have their pick of spectacles that test the abilities and durability of robots built by experts and amateurs of all ages from all walks of life.

"Only 20 percent of the robot builders involved are engineers," Calkins says. "I like to think of this event as an inspiration for the average guy or gal." He adds that at least thirty percent of the competitors are female.

The RoboGames will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 25-27, in Jack Adams Hall of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, Main Gym and other locations on campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 under 17 years of age. Children 7 and under will be admitted at no charge.

For more information including a complete schedule of events see the RoboGames Web site.

-- Denize Springer
Photo: Courtesy of RoboGames