Robot's New Rubber Legs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.....