United Robot Alliance

What Happened??

2010-05-14T14:00:00.012-06:00

It's almost a year since the last post and in that year several changes have taken all my time and drained the life force out of me.....My wife's 17 year old grandson came to live with us...won't go into details but it wasn't the best of times for a long while afterwards. I didn't do anything on the Robot or any of my other projects..it was just too depressing. Our vacation with some old friends was cancelled and I think it had to do with our additional member but that is just my assumption. It was a very depressing year and it really got me down in the deep, deep dark doldrums. I did nothing to the Robot during this time as far as upgrades I did, however, take him to work for Halloween in support of the United Way. They offered professional pictures of the kids with the Robot for a donation...raised $140.00. Thanksgiving and Christmas were both depressing this year as well. It just didn't seem like a happy time of year for me. In January the New Year started with rumblings that my job may be going away at the end of the year.....and it actually ended on April 15th. Because of that I didn't go to MegaCon this year...that was depressing. I host The RoboCon Convention here in Denver which is a pretty big event, lots of fun and big moral booster and it helped for a few days but being unemployed sure put a damper on it. To make matters even worse, I even had a minor problem....two artists bailed on delivering the artwork for the T-Shirts. We did have most of the guest stars come up to the Robot Room and visit with us and pose for pictures with the Robots. (Their pictures are posted on the right) Marina Sirtis who played Counselor Troy on Star Trek The Next Generation. Garrett Wang who played Ensign Harry Kim of Star Trek Voyager. Christopher Judge who played Teal'c on Stargate SG1 There was one special guest that came for RoboCon and that was Guy Vardaman who played Darian Wallace and was Brent Spiner's photo double on Star Trek The Next Generation, he also was in Voyager and was a CG artist on Star Trek series and movies. The character of "Guy Fleegman", a background extra on a Trek-like television series in the Star Trek parody Galaxy Quest, was named after Guy. He had a lot of behind-the-scenes stories to tell.

This summer the Robot is getting a up-graded parts I have purchased in the last three years. First he gets a new animated Radar section, machined aluminum ear posts, and brain support components. He will also get a major upgrade to his electronics, Central Support Structure and new rubber arms. Along with these upgrades he will be getting his Radio Control system installed so I can control him.

Hopefully next year I will be employed and can resume building R2D2 and Robby. Now that I have time I'll be posting more on this site and the Batcave Site.

Here are some pictures from Halloween and RoboCon-2010.

The Great Texas Build-Off 2009

2009-05-21T10:40:00.015-06:00

This past weekend I was in Dallas Texas attending the 2nd Annual Texas Build-Off for all Robots and Droids at JerryC's home. As always it was a blast! There were 3-B9's, several R2's, Robby, Gort, C3PO, Battle Droid, Pit Droid, Mouse Droids and parts from all the various Robots and Droids were scattered all everywhere in Jerry's house. The event was broadcast live over the web all three days. On Saturday, The Voice of the Robot Mr. Dick Tufeld logged on and chatted with the group for an hour and told us his behind the scenes experiences. Droid Races were held on Sunday. Everyone had so much fun we are already planning for the 3rd Annual Build-Off next year.

A Garage of Robots and Droids!

An interesting mix of Robot and Droid parts

Radio Controlled Robots and Droids

Ready...Set...GO.....The Droid Races

This B9 Robot came all the way from Wisconsin! He's Pooped

Me (R) and Jerry (L) and a couple of his Famous Replica Robots Robby (L) from Forbidden Planet and Gort (R) from The Day the earth Stood Still. Both are from the originals movies.

Jerry C's Texas Build-Off

2009-05-13T12:26:00.003-06:00

Jerry C's 2nd Annual Texas Build-Off for ALL Robot Builders begins on Friday May 15th and I hope to attend. Last year was a blast and this year I actually have a couple of items I need some help in building so I'm hoping to get there. There will be a few familiar faces from last year as well as some new faces. Jerry has a full schedule of things planned everyone is going to have a blast. It just can't be helped!
If I'm able to make it I'll post some pictures on Monday May 18th.

Bob May Candy Bar Project

2009-05-12T20:31:00.001-06:00

I believe that the Bob May Candy Bar Project is ready to close, get the scrapbook pages finished and everything sent to the family. This has been a very rewarding project because I've seen the good in people you sometimes don't always get to see. It touched my heart. I'll have a complete report in the next couple weeks with pictures and stories.

New B9 Money Clip

2009-04-29T09:06:00.006-06:00

It just didn't seem right at this last Robot Convention to pull out my Batman Money Clip when I made a purchase so I decided to remedy that last night. Here is the Batman Money clip I currently use daily....... (click image to zoom)

I will be using this money clip at all Robot Events in the future....

RoboCon 2009 Day 3

2009-04-19T22:00:00.007-06:00

We had a lot of fun at this convention and we are discussing plans to make the 2010 Edition even better. One goal is to get more club members to attend and some more Robots on display as well. Here are some closing pictures from Sunday.

L to R CharlieG, JerryC, B9Leo, BobG, SamL and GregL.

RoboCon 2009- Day 2

2009-04-18T23:00:00.018-06:00

At these conventions, Saturday is the biggest and busiest day and this year, despite the 14 inches of snow we received, was no exception.

People were coming in large groups to the Robot Arena. We had Star Trek fans from all the series, Star Wars Fans, people from the HorrorFest and ComicFest Conventions which were also being held with StarFest one of the largest Sci-Fi Conventions in the United States.

Two Club Members, Bob G and Jerry C, manned the desk and kept everyone entertained with my Robot with the help of the fantastic I-B9 Software. We had several fans come up and tell Greg and myself that they were at the convention because they were fans of the lost in Space Robot and just couldn't pass up seeing one in person. They were really surprised at the size and how they looked just like the Robot they remembered on the TV Series. More Pictures....

The Robot with a Star Trek, The Next generation fan.

Robot and Star Wars fans.

Robot with Superboy and his Mom. The Robot was just a bit BIG and intimidating!

A young Will Robinson even shown up in his silver flight suit to pose with the Robot
Star Trek, The Next Generation fan. We thought it was Marina Sirtis for a minute but she has been invited to StarFest next year.
A REAL Star Trek, fan.
Brent Spiner!! Brent was kind enough to autograph this picture for me. The Android and The Robot - COOL!!

RoboCon 2009 - Day 1

2009-04-17T23:00:00.010-06:00

Well...the first day of RoboCon is history and it was a blast. We decided to arrive early this year, 8:00am rather than 1:00pm and it proved to be a wise decision as it took us just over 4 hours to set up everything and get operational.

This is the display for the Bob May Candy Bar Tribute. The B9 Club purchased the candy and 100% of the sales will be donated to Bob May's Family. He is truely missed by the Club...

The "SlideShow Kiosk Station" This is where I showed the pictures of the Robot's building history, past Conventions he's attended and various other pictures were played as a slide show. It was a big hit.

Greg getting his Robot, B9Greg, On-Line

My Robot is ready to get started....

RoboCon 2009

2009-04-02T22:21:00.001-06:00

Wow RoboCon is in just TWO weeks! I have been designing and building the new treadsection and silicone rubber legs over the next couple weeks and then installing them for RoboCon. Here are some pictures of the progress.

The steel leg support plates.

The Aluminum frame for the sub-waistplate support.

Steel wheel axels from 3/8" stock.

New tread section prior to rubber legs installation

New leg section on the left with the wood frame section on the right.

Robot Invasion at MegaCon Orlando Florida

2009-03-05T20:10:00.002-07:00

At the last minute I decided to attend MegaCon in Orlando Florida and boy am I glad I did. I had a blast!!! I got to connect with some old friends and make some new ones.

Jim and Yvonne actually host the robot gathering called Robot Invasion and they had some fantastic robots in attendance. There were 2 B9 Robots, at least 5 R/C R2D2's and a few R2 and R5's in various stages of completion, A Full scale Robby, Bender, Death Star Droid, C3Po, FedEx Robot Bust from I, Robot, The 1950's Bus Stop Robots that were animated and a Life Size Cylon from new series Battle Star Galactica.

I met and spoke to Tricia and James from the new battlestar Gallactica and both were great people. In fact James came over to our display and posed with me and the Cylon!!

Another friend I reconnected with was Anne Lockhart from the original Battlestar series. As you probably recall she was here in Denver for last years StarFest and when I asked her to pose for a picture with my Robot she readily agreed. Anyways, as she set up her pictures we chatted and she said she would be over to our display to talk some more and of course take some pictures. She didn't disappoint. She remembered the picture I took in Denver of her and my Robot that and she signed it for me. What a great person.

Here's few couple other pictures from MegaCon 2009.

My Tribute to Bob May

2009-02-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the cut-n-paste link to the local television station 9News story on Bob May and the Robot. Bob was the uncredited actor that was inside the Robot for the 1960's TV Show Lost in Space. I met Bob a couple years ago and considered him my friend. He was one of the actors that truely love and respected his fans. I'm truely delighted that I got to meet him and have him consider me one of his friends.

http://www.9news.com/life/entertainment/article.aspx?storyid=110048&catid=151

copy the link above to your browser to view story....

Bob May Tribute

2009-02-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

Today Kirk Montgomery of the local television station, 9News, came to my home office to tape an interview with me and the Robot. The purpose is to do a proper tribute to the Man in a Can Bob May who past away this past January at the age of 66. Bob is the actor that gave the Robot his character and personality. Kirk is a Lost in Space fan as well and we had a real good time talking about the Robot and of course Bob May. Kirk will send me a copy of the interview and let me know when the segment will air. The Robot and Kirk will meet again at RoboCon 2009 which is a B9 Robot Builders Club Convention that is held in conjunction with StarFest in Denver Colorado.

2009- A New Year

2009-01-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

RoboCon'09 is just around the Corner. (107 days) We are hoping to get at least one of the LiS cast Members in for this convention. Bob May or Mark Goddard would be the first choice. Bob lost his home along with everything else to the fires in California a couple months ago just before Thanksgiving.

R2 Gone

2008-12-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

It didn't take long for R2 to be scattered. I don't think the Jawa's could have done it as fast. All parts are sold and shipped. There a small place in the office next to the B9 that was once the space of little R2. snif snif...

Robot and Droid News

2008-12-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

I must apologize for the lack of posting but it was necessary. For the last few months I have had some guilty feelings about building the R2. The B9 has some system upgrades coming up and there are more than a couple projects around the house I have been putting off until he is finished. It's been three years and I'm starting another Robot Project before those are done? I guess it's time to clear the list. On november 24th I sold all of the R2 parts I had, and they were many, to finance the other projects. The R2 Project wasn't abandoned just postponed.The B9 is getting those upgraded parts and I hope to have most of them installed by RoboCon 2009 in April.

Halloween!!

2008-11-01T09:41:00.000-06:00

The Robot had a busy schedule this Halloween. He was a big hit where I work and and even bigger hit at the house. For the first time in 75 years here in Denver it was warm for Halloween. Usually it's hoovering around 20 degrees with either snow or rain but it was shirt sleeves last night! We even had a couple Police Officers that were patrolling the neighborhood stop by and came out to talk with me about the Robot. One little 4-5 year old kid that came for his loot looked at the officer with a critical eye for a minute and then told the Officer he had a really cool costume! I thought the parents were going to faint. That was the AFV moment of the night. I gave the Officers some candy to give to all the little kids that were there and the Officers talked with all of them for a couple of minutes then left. By 7:00pm the word must have got out because the visitors were arriving in groups of 10 or more. The little kids would sit down in front of the Robot and ask me to "make him talk". The parents asked if I would hire the Robot out for babysitting because the kids just sat there not moving and watched him. When the parents wanted to go the kids didn't want to leave! One couple came back and said their three boys begged to see the Robot one more time before they went home. Another couple that came the husband said he had met me while I was building the Robot in the summer of 2005 and shortly after that they moved from the area. They came back to visit with friends and stopped by to see if I had finished him. They were all amazed by his size and impressed when he could carry on a conversation with them thanks to the I-B9 Software. Here are some pictures of both events. Unfortunately I couldn't get pictures of the crowds because I was busy running the Robot and making him talk! I need to hire a photographer. I can't wait to get the R2-D2 finished for next year!

The Robot at work.

The entire Facilities Dept.

The Robot at the house waiting to entertain the Trick or Treaters.

The Star Wars Droid R2-D2 Project Launches Nov 1st

2008-10-27T20:47:00.000-06:00

The R2-D2 Project is getting ready to launch on November 1. The goal is to have him ready and functioning by September 2009. I have about 90% of the parts required and will build him first before painting. Once everything but the electrical is completed he will be disassemble and painted then re-assembled and the electronics installed. Hopefully I can have him ready to go to his first public showing at Mountain-Con05 held in Utah next September. Here are just a few pictures of him in pieces. He is mostly steel and aluminum and will have most of the gizmo's seen in the movies.

2008-10-27T19:36:00.000-06:00

The Robot is becoming quite a celebrity lately with fans coming over almost weekly to see him. So with all the fans dropping by he asked for, and received, some new space in the office. He was in a corner where he was cramped and could barely rotate. His fans also complained that it was hard to get a good picture with him. So as of this past Saturday his display area has been moved towards the center of the office and increased to about 60sf.

He has a very busy week this week starting on Thursday. A Boy Scout Troop will be over to see him and get pictures. They are learning and building robots for scouting activity. Their Scoutmaster heard about him and when he asked the boys, they all voted to spend their night here with Robot. Then early Friday morning the Robot will be making another all day appearance where I work. He was requested to be the Guest Star by the big kids, again. Then Friday night he will be entertaining the Trick-or-Treaters and helping his roommate "The BatMan" pass out his Bat-Candy for Halloween. For the past few weeks the kids and their parents have been asking if he was going to be out this year. Last year he was in pieces getting some systems upgrades. With all these requests for appearances he has been practicing several of his impressions of other famous Robots for his many varied fans. Should be a fun week!

MountainCon 4 Pictures

2008-09-29T07:29:00.000-06:00

My Mom thinks the Robot is COOL.

Me and the Grandkids. Pheobe, Gavin and the twins, Hope and Faith.

My Son and his girlfriend. She loves the Robot! Lance isn't too happy about it though.

Actress from Deep Space 9, Penny Johnson Jerald and the Robot She was so impressed with the Robots that she came to see them twice and the second time we got her to pose with them. Very nice lady.

Dr Who Learning about Robots

Darth Vader and Crew

MountainCon 4 in Layton, Utah

2008-09-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, It's almost October!! I have been so busy with preparing the B9 for MountainCon and dealing with some other happenings in real life that it's been a long time since I last posted. Sorry about that. Unfortunately the internal leg supports didn't get completed in time so the Robot's new rubber legs couldn't be installed but several other systems got upgraded. MountainCon 4 is over and it was a blast. Greg and I drove to Utah to attend the convention and display our B9 Robots. We were given tables in the Lobby of the Davis Convention Center and we were suprised to find that R2Builders Club member Lynelle Phillips from Denver had brought her partially completed R2 Astromech Droid and was set up next to us! We were all setup right next to the life size Stargate and it was a beautifull piece of work that greeted fans when they walked in the door. We were very busy as the Robots were a big hit and well remembered from the TV Series. Unfortunately Mark Goddard had to cancel due to personal reasons, but we carried on and had fun anyway. Met a lot of nice fans at this convention and the MountainCon Staff was a pleasure to work with. On Sunday we moved the Robots to the entry of the Stargate and more than a few people came and had their picture taken with the Robots. We had a great time and besides a few minor glitches.the Robots performed great and entertained everyone. Greg and hi Robot even made the front page of the local newspaper!

Robot's New Rubber Legs

2008-07-13T02:23:00.000-06:00

Christmas in July. On Thursday, July 10 I received the rubber legs for the Robot. They are made from 100% Silicone Rubber with a 100 year lifetime. I installed them on the treads temporarily so i can measure the height for the steel supports.

Leo and B9-Leo Meet

2008-06-26T09:54:00.001-06:00

I had my son and his family in for a visit this past week. I got to visit with my 3 and a half year old Grandson for the first time since he was about 6 months old. He is named, Leo, after my Father as is my Robot. Leo loved the Robot and would want to go see him and talk to him all the time. When I asked if he wanted have his picture taken with the Robot and said "Sure". When I told him to hold the Robots hand he was so excited!

The TV Robot in the Sci-Fi Museum in Seattle

2008-06-12T16:44:00.000-06:00

I was at the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle Washington on June 11. I was there to see the 40 year old Lost in Space Robot that was used on the TV Series. I finally got to see the real Robot, well what's left of him anyways. Unfortunately I don't think it is much since a lot of him was discarded after the series was cancelled. The one thing that bothers me is I couldn't take any pictures. I've taken pictures of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris but they won't let you take pictures in the Sci-Fi Museum. Figure that out. But I fulfilled a promise I made to myself as a kid, that one day I'd look upon the real Robot. I finally did.

Gort from Forbidden Planet

Future Robot Builder

2008-05-21T06:19:00.000-06:00

Leo, my Grandson is shaping up to be a future Robot Builder. This is his favorite shirt his Dad made him. It the artwork for RoboCon 2008 only everything is put on the front so he can see it. When they come up in June Leo will help me assemble the R2 Frame.

May 17- Saturday Day Two of the Robot Build-Off

2008-05-19T11:52:00.000-06:00

We were at Jerry's early today to make sure we didn't miss anything. Wayne showed up with his R2 and some building actually got started. Three R2 frames, Wayne was replacing his Omniballs for casters on his R2's Front Foot. Travis worked on his B9's bubble and everyone got helped. It was great. After lunch we all went over to North Dallas CNC Machine Shop to see the setup and drool over the machined parts. James opened his shop and he had some great machined parts all lined up for inspection. After about an hour we all went back to Jerry's and continued building. Jerry didn't make t-shirts, but he did do something just as unique. Everyone got a machined plastic coaster with a cork insert that had either B9 or R2 image on it. With the R2 Frames finished, the bubble mounted, the caster on it was time for dinner. Jerry had it catered from Sonny Bryan's and it was some great Texas BBQ.

Everyone just kind of visited, swapped stories, checked out Jerry's toys again and basically just talked robots and droids.

I can't wait for next year. I will have my Robot and Droid here as well getting some upgraded parts.

Thanks Jerry for putting this together! See you at RoboCon in April 09!!

Wayne's R2

One of the R2 Frames being assembled

North Dallas CNC Machine Shop...machined aluminum...nice. I just couldn't resist it and bought one of the dome wheels with a motor bracket.

Jerry's very cool coaster......

May 16- Friday Day One of Robot Build Off

2008-05-19T05:53:00.000-06:00

Jerry's house was easy to spot when I turned on to his street. There was a B9 Robot Standee on his porch and several cars parked in front. When I walked up the driveway and into the garage area it look like I walked on the backlot lot of a Sci Fi movie! Robots and parts were everywhere! WAY COOL!!! There were three B9's standing together, the Battle Droid standing Guard looked like he would shoot you with his weapon if you tried to take something. There was a pitdroid taking a break talking to an R2 unit. There were a couple of mouse droids next to an R5 head on a table. An unfinished C3PO was still in the box but was soon on a table looking woefully undressed with no gold plating. Which Jerry will hopfully remedy that by the next build-Off in 2009. There where 7 tables with hundreds of parts for the different Robot projects Jerry has going. In his house is a very nice Star Wars lightsaber collection, laser rifles, Starship Models, more parts and a Robby Robot. Information overload!!!

This covers about half of what's outside.....

Jerry
demonstrating
his B9 Bowing

Bob's Robot bending....backwards. It can also bend forward and squat! Here's how Bob does it...two motorized sissor jacks.

Robby

The Great Texas B9 Build-Off

2008-05-19T05:10:00.000-06:00

What a BLAST Jerry's Great Texas B9 Robot Build-Off was. I got to meet so very many talented and fun builders not only the B9 Builders Club but in the R2 Builders Club and the Dallas Personal Robotics Club. The event started at noon on Friday May 16th thru Sunday May 18. Unfortunately I had to catch a flight back to Denver Sunday morning and couldn't attend the Sunday activities. Here are a few of pictures from the event then I'll detail Friday and
Saturday activities on separate postings....

Here's Wayne replacing the omni balls for casters in his R2's front foot.

One of three aluminums frames made by JAG that were built on Saturday..

Here's me with Phil's beautiful Jupiter 2's Main Console....

A PitDroid taking it easy....

A lonely Battle Droid Standing Guard.....

MountainCon 4 News

2008-05-08T12:10:00.000-06:00

I was informed last week that our Robots, mine and Greg's, are probably going to be setup with Mark Goddard at MountainCon 4 in Utah on September 19-21. Mark played the character, Major Don West, the Jupiter II's Pilot on the 1960's TV series. He also made a guest appearance as the The General in the 1998 movie of the same name. The current idea being discussed by the MountainCon folks is to have the Robots situated so they are kind of like the Sentinel's leading to the Media Guest Autograph Area. Mark will be there with the Robots for for autographs and maybe some possible photos. I met Mark in March at MegaCon in Florida and he is truly a great person and funny guy. I'm looking forward to spending some more time with him and getting a picture of him and my Robot!!

New Pictures on the Robot Wall of Fame

2008-05-01T20:40:00.001-06:00

I finally found the old Sci-Fi lobby theater cards I've been looking for to hang in the office. Forbidden Planet and The Day the Earth Stood Still I took an old frame and added a fresh coat of paint with a silver matboard around the Forbidden Planet card and hung it on the Robot Wall of Fame and it really looks great.
Forbidden Planet in the new frame....

The Day the Earth Stood Still in the corner....

They also look great with the Robot in his display area....

My Next Robot Fueled Adventure- Great Texas Build-Off in Dallas

2008-05-01T19:27:00.000-06:00

The next adventure in 2008 is on May 16-18. I'll be in Rowlett Texas near Dallas attending The Great Texas Build-Off
This is being produced by a good friend of mine in the Robot Building Club as a way to share building information and techniques of several different Robots. The Lost in Space B9, the Droids from Star Wars and other famous TV and Movie Robots. The newest robot under development by our new club....Wall-e from Disney. I'm looking forward to this months adventure.

Next month, June, for our 9th Wedding Anniversary we are going to Seattle. I've never been there and was trying to think of what there was to do in Seattle....then it hit me. The Science Fiction Museum! Of Course the place where the orginal stunt Robot from Lost in Space is on display! Cool. This vacation is looking better every day!

RoboCon 2008- Sunday's Log

2008-04-21T19:21:00.000-06:00

Sundays started out to be a little slower and layed back than Friday or Saturday, but that changed around 10:00am. It got really crazy real fast and the hi-lite of the entire convention for us was just around the corner.... On Saturday I met Ann Lockhart and got her autograph. We talked about her Mother, June, who starred in Lost in Space. I invited her up to the Robot Room to see our replica Robots from Lost in Space since her Mother wasn't one of the StarFest Guests. She said she would love to and if she could get away she would. Well she didn't show up Saturday so I kind of figured she wouldn't make it. Around 3:00pm she walked into the Robot Room, waved, and came over to our display area. She looked at the Robots for a couple of minutes and said she was amazed at how beautiful and amazing they were. Well I don't know about Greg, but I was practically bustin' buttons! She stayed about 20 to 25 minutes talking to us about Battlestar Galactica, the original TV series and then she posed for pictures with our Robots and us. It a fantastic time and she was absolutely marvelous!

RoboCon 2008- Saturday's Log

2008-04-21T18:48:00.000-06:00

When we got to the Robot Room this morning there were about 15 people standing there waiting for us to get the robots up and running. As the the day worn on it was again a flood of people. Greg had been playing around with the Interactive B9 software and developed some very cool phrases and began to have a little fun with the people in a game we called..."Name the Robot". The phrases Greg put together were sound bites from other famous Robots and B9Greg would announce that he did "impressions" and the the audience would have to guess the name of the Robot that B9Greg was doing. The people really got into it and several of these sessions we had about 20 people trying to guess the Robots. Greg had everything including R2D2 and C3PO, W.O.P.R., Robert the Robot, HAL and Colossus. As the night wore on, Greg and I developed a loose comedy dialog between our Robots that was really entertaining.

B9Greg mesmerizing the audience with his impressions....

We had some very well known "Stars" stop by and get their pictures taken with the robots today...

Dark Vader stopped by....

Holy Badguys, The Batman's Villans came to spread trouble

And even Santa couldn't resist a picture with the B9 Robot!!

After we closed the room, those that wanted to came over to my home and had dinner and then visited into the night. It was great to renew old friendships and to make new ones. I hope we can all meet next year.....

RoboCon 2008 - Friday's log

2008-04-21T05:02:00.000-06:00

RoboCon 2008 is over and we truly had some great fun.
Here are those B9 Club Memebers that attended.

Front row, left-right Greg Logue, Bob Considine, Mark Newlon, Charlie Garcia
Back Row Left-right Mike Cox, Bruce Cox
Not Pictured Edd Armstrong from Denver

In attendance this year were out of town club members Greg Logue and his Robot B9Greg, Mark Newlon, Bruce Cox and his brother Mike, and Bob Considine and his wife April. Myself and Edd Armstrong were here from Denver and we all had a ball talking about the Robot's and how they are built and the techniques we used. Bob Considine brought in some solid aluminum wheels complete with weight reducing holes and "V" Type tread groove that he has made. They are beautiful!

Here is Friday's Log, the 1st Day of the Convention.....

It took about 3 hours on Friday afternoon for Greg and I to set up our display, the tables and the Robots. Around 5:00pm that afternoon people started to stop by and as the evening progressed, it was an endless stream of people in the Robot Room to see the two Robots and ask hundreds of questions about them. It was so busy in fact that we didn't even get to eat dinner until we got home around 10:30pm.

RoboCon08 Day 1- April 18, 2008 Friday

2008-04-19T07:08:00.001-06:00

Here are a few priliminary pictures from Friday's RoboCon 2008

Advertising

The Robots Displayed

Here are some pictures from Fri April 18 of RoboCon.

April means RoboCon and a lot of Work!

2008-04-03T11:50:00.001-06:00

April is only 3 days old and I have been very busy preparing for the Robot Convention called RoboCon that I host here in Denver. We have two Lost in Space Robots for display this year and several of the B9 Club members coming in and we all have a great time talking Robots all day. Next year we should have a couple Droids for the Star Wars movies and some other movie and television Robots. Like Robby the Robot, Gort and Twiki for example. There is even a chance that we can get some Lost in Space cast members to attend as well. RoboCo is held in conjunction with the large sci-fi convention, StarFest. The dates for this years event is April 18, 19 and 20th and the location is Denver Tech-Center (DTC) Marriott Hotel. For more info on StarFest clink on the link to the right.

Artwork for RoboCon 2008

2008-03-26T07:01:00.000-06:00

Below is the final artwork I completed last night for the Club T-Shirts for RoboCon 2008. There are 9 Robots depicted from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. I wanted to have a large group of Robot's on the shirt because my original idea for RoboCon, while being mainly an event for the Lost in Space B9 Robot, was an event for any Robot builder to show off their work. My hope and goal is to get more Robot Builders like those building the Star Wars Droids and and other Movie and TV Robots to attend the event. The idea for this artwork was formed when I was looking at a poster in a sales magazine that showed all the Superheros in a group picture. Can you name all the Robots in the picture?

RoboCon08- April 18-20 2008 Denver Colorado

2008-03-16T05:09:00.000-06:00

RoboCon 2008 is almost here and I know a couple of us are frantically preparing our Robots for the show. Only 33 days left!! I have been trying to get the powers at be to book some of the Lost in Space Cast members to no avail. I've spoken to Bob May and to Mark Goddard and they both want to come to the Denver but they haven't been asked. There will be three Lost in Space B9 Robots and hopefully some others Robots or Droids will make it as well. My Robot has a new stell treadsection ready to go, but because the legs and knees I made aren't a perfect match, I'll have to wait for this summer's Rubber Leg run to be completed and purchase a set. I still have a few minor systems to work on and he'll be ready.

Monday- Day 4 NASA Facility Tour

2008-03-16T04:33:00.000-06:00

First, I'd like to thank MikeJ for making this incredible tour a reality. This is NASA's VIP Tour that offers just a peek inside the incredible world of NASA. We toured inside the following areas: The Orbiter Preparations Facility, here they prepare the orbiter for it's next mission. The Vehicle Assembly Building. This is where all the components of the shuttle are attached to each other. While here we learned that the "Shuttle" is not the spaceship but rather the entire package that launches. The Orbiter, the actual spaceship, the External Tank that provides fuel to the Orbiters three main engines, and the two Solid Rocket Boosters when all assembled is called the Shuttle. We toured the International Space Station Facility. Here all the many different pieces and modules are test and packaged in lager containers that are then loaded onto the Orbiter. See went to the landing area where the shuttle lands after a mission and we went out to Launch Pad 39A and saw the Shuttle waiting to launch at 2:38am est on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

Under the Orbiter Atlantis Those are the famous Ceramic Tiles that protect the ship during re-entry.
This is where all the orbiters are taken after returning from space to get prepared for the next mission. You can't see but small patches of the Orbiter because of the cocoon of scaffolding that holds all the test and repair equipment. These are the only pictures of the many I took that you can see something resembling the spacecraft.

In Front of the nose of Atlantis

This is the Lab Module for the Japanese Section that is schedule for May delivery to the ISS. The storeroom was launched on Endeavour and will be parked until this module arrives then they will be attached to the station. They couldn't launch them together because there was no more room in the cargo bay because of Dextre the Robotic arm that needed to go up.

This piece is the window assembly that is scheduled to be launched in 2009 or 2010, one of the last pieces of the ISS the Shuttle will deliver before being decommissioned.

At 2:38am March 11 the Shuttle Endeavour roared into the early morning sky and the experience is indescribable. The light from the Solid Rocket Boosters is so bright the night was turned into day and roar of the engines vibrates your entire body. Very impressive. This will be the last night launch of a Shuttle before they are retired in 2010.

Sunday- Day 3 Disney World

2008-03-16T04:11:00.000-06:00

What's a trip to Orlando Florida without going to Disney World?! We went to Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. The Mission to Mars, Intense, Ride at Epcot was absolutely fantastic! The best ride I've ever been on. At The Magic Kingdom we were chosen to be a participant in the "Main Street Parade" with Chip and Dale. That was a definite first for the both of us! Then at Hollywood Studios we just had to visit the Star Wars "Star Tours" ride and gift shop. The ride was a blast and I've been sworn to never divulge on how much we spent in the Gift Shop!

After all this fun we drove to Cocoa near Cape Canaveral to tour NASA and watch the Launch of the Shuttle Endeavour!!

Saturday- Day 2 MegaCon Convention

2008-03-16T03:47:00.000-06:00

After talking Robots last night we were more than ready to get to MegaCon Sci-Fi Convention and check out the sights and sounds at MegaCon. The first stop was to the "Stars" autograph area. I wanted to meet Mark Goddard that actor that played Don West in Lost in Space TV Series from the 1960's and my favorite show as a kid. We talked with Mark and got his his picture and autograph for my "Robot Wall of Fame" . The we stopped in to see Gil Gerrard and Erin Gray both who starred in "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" TV Show in the 70's. It was great to see and talk to these actors in person. I talked to Mark about coming to Denver and he is all for it. I've been trying to get him and other cast members out to StarFest in Denver for the last two years but those in charge of star booking are dragging their feet. We did meet up with a couple of Star Wars R2-Droid builders and had a lot of questions answered and took hundreds of pics.

Friday- Day 1 Visiting Another Robot Builder

2008-03-16T03:34:00.000-06:00

To get to Jim's house, we had to fight through a nasty rain storm and numerous multi-vehicle accidents on the freeways. There were times we couldn't see the road because it was raining so hard the wipers couldn't keep up! We safely made it to the house and visited with Jim and his wife. It was good to see them again and to see all the progress Jim has made on his many Robot Projects. Jim's Living Room has sevral life-size Robots in it and it is so cool. There's Robby, from Forbidden Planet, The B9 Lost in Space Robot, Bender, C3PO, a Jawa, from Star Wars, Rosie from the Jetson's Cartoon Classic that is in the initial stages, and R2D2 which is also in the beginning stages of parts collecting. Jim is about 90% finished with the very cool animated Bus Stop Robots that will grace his entryway on the porch outside when completed. It's really cool to be able to talk to other people that share the same passion in full size functioning Robots from TV and Movies. We discussed the various Robots we've built and the many solutions to the problems encountered we all agreed that this hobby is a passion and we each have it bad. Another thing we've agreed on we have very understanding wives!

Florida Robot Vacation with a Shuttle Launch Thrown In

2008-03-16T03:20:00.000-06:00

WOW! What a busy fun weekend last week I don't know where to start. Another Robot Builder from South Dakota, Greg, and I have been planning a trip to Florida to visit a robot builder in Tampa, then attend the MegaCon Sci-Fi Convention in Orlando and to stop into at NASA to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. What really happened is something else. I'm going to make an entry for each day as we packed so much fun into the trip I can't cover it with just one entry.

Droid Parts I have as of today.......

2008-03-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

I decided it was time to post some pictures showing the parts I have purchased todate.

The first picture is all the miscellaneous bits and pieces that go on the droid's different areas like the feet, dome, legs etc.

Next is the JAG's v5 Aluminum Frame:(Photo by JAG) This picture shows the frame partially built. There are still some pieces that will go on it.

Next is the un-cut dome I purchased last year. I recently decided to spend the $$$ and purchase the 300mm laser-cut Dome offered by Daren. I know I won't regret it!

The last picture are the two feet for my Droid from JAG.

First Mini-Vacation of 2008

2008-03-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

My good friend and fellow Robot Builder, Greg L., and I have been planning a trip to Florida in March with two goals in mind, First to attend MegaCon Sci-Fi Convention and meet up with some friends I met last year. I met Bob May, the actor that was inside the Robot from the 1960's TV Show, Lost in Space. Second, to visit the Kennedy Space Center and see the Lost in Space B9 Robot Replica made by B9 Creations out of South Dakota. That was the whole trip, two days. Well it's now been stretched to 5 Day with side trip to Epcot Center at Disney World and will be topped off with a VIP NASA Tour all day Monday to see the NASA Facilities. This tour includes the visits to the Orbitor Processing Facilities, the Vehicle Assembly Building, The Shuttle Landing Facility, a trip out to the launch pad to view the shuttle as it sits ready to be launched. Then on Tuesday morning, at 2:31am, we get watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Mission STS-123 from the Shuttle Launch VIP Viewing Area at Banana Creek which is about two miles from the launch pad. Of course it all depends on if NASA doesn't have any problems and all systems stay green and the weather cooperates. Needles to say we are very pumped up for this trip. Last year my wife and I took our second trip to Australia and I got the honor to meet John Saxon who worked for NASA during the 1969 Moon Landing. He gave me a fantastic tour of the now defunct Honeysuckle Creek Station and consolidated Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex. It was mind boggling to say the least and it's a trip I shall forever remember. I'll be updating this blog in the near future with pictures and stories from the trip. Right now it's a mad scramble to get the Robot completed for RoboCon in just 49 days!!

RoboCon 2008

2008-02-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

On April 18-20, 2008 RoboCon comes to Denver. Robocon-2008 is a Robot Convention and is held in conjunction with the Sci-Fi Convention StarFest put on by Starland. There will be three Lost in Space B9 Robots at RoboCon and perhaps a R2D2 Droid or two. The convention is being held at the Denver-Tech Marriott Hotel just East of I-25 on Orchard. For more information on StarFest go www.starland.com.

Initial Post to United Robot Alliance Blog

2008-02-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today marks the launch of United Robot Alliance Blog. This site is dedicated to the documentation of my successes, failures and general experiences in building the life size Robots from the TV series and Movies.

The first of these Robots and Droids to be completed is the B-9 Robot from Lost in Space. Phase One was completed in December 2005 after approximately 10 months of work. He was basically just a blinking, talking static display. He is currently undergoing several modifications and upgrades that is scheduled be completed by March 2009. He will be controlled by Spektrum 7 channel Radio Contoller and will be fully mobile.

I have had custom phrases or "lines" recorded by the same actor that was the voice of the Robot in the 1960's television series.

My next project will the famous Droid R2-D2 of Star Wars fame. He will also be full size and fully mobile. I have already purchased numerous parts including an all aluminum frame and laser cut dome. This project will offically be launched in May 2008 with an anticipated completion date of Dec 2009.

I am hosting a Robot Convention in conjunction with Starfest in April of this year and my Robot, along with two others, will be displayed so come out and get your picture take with one of the most Famous Robots of all time.