Raspberry Pi Robotics (PiWars & Formula Pi)

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SgtWilko

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Aug 3, 2016, 9:11:39 AM8/3/16
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Hello!

Those that have met me know that I'm a little obsessed with the Raspberry Pi computers, they may even know that I took part in last years PiWars with my eldest (AKA Offspring1).


When I first mention PiWars several months back, it was suggested that as a Hackspace we might want to enter a robot.
As it so happens, applications for the next competition have just opened, we have until 22nd September to apply.

The PiWars categories have changed each year, this time they are pitting similar groups against each other, we would be up against other hack/maker spaces from across the country.
There's no guarantee that we will be selected as team, they were over subscribed last year, but many teams dropped out due to overestimating what was required.


As a hackspace we might not have anywhere to build things, but we have many programmers amongst the group.

Another competition, one that doesn't require any development of hardware, is Formula Pi, this is a brand new self driving robot competition.

For £200 we can have a robot chassis and entry into both the Winter and Summer series.  All we would need to provide is Pi & Camera and create the software (they have a basic image we can use).
For £70 we can take part in both the Winter and Summer series, but would have to rely on changing the software without having the robot to test with.

This is on Kickstarter, so the sooner we decide on this one the better (realistically we have about 10-14 days to decide before the slots are likely to all be taken).

Have a read/look at both competitions:



SgtWilko.

Michael McRoberts

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Aug 3, 2016, 9:32:19 AM8/3/16
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SgtWilko you can count me in on the PiWars. I am definitely up for that.

The Formula Pi thing doesn't interest me so much.

Do we have to enter as a Hackerspace? Surely we are at a disadvantage as we do not have a space, no equipment or anything. We are surely just a bunch of hobbyists?

Mike

SgtWilko

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Aug 3, 2016, 11:32:07 AM8/3/16
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Not 100% sure, they were going to make a clear distinction between Hobbyists with/without access to a Makespace/Hackspace, but have changed it.

I've just checked with one of the organisers and we'd fit in the "Amateur or beginner/intermediate hobbyist(s)" group because we have no actual hackspace.
They expect those with access to a hackspace to select the "Professional or Expert Hobbyist" option.

Hopefully we wouldn't be at (much?) of a disadvantage.

Maidstone Hackspace

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Aug 3, 2016, 12:11:07 PM8/3/16
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seems like i good thing to discuss this evening, i would certainly be interested. 

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SgtWilko

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Aug 3, 2016, 12:25:06 PM8/3/16
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Yep, I will be there and I've got my PiWars robot in the car...

I'm about to leave work, so see you in about 30-45 minutes
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SgtWilko

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Aug 4, 2016, 6:13:43 AM8/4/16
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Well from the discussions last night it sounds like the Hackspace are up for entering into PiWars.

What do we do next?  Will one of the Triumvirate apply?

Michael McRoberts

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Aug 4, 2016, 6:34:00 AM8/4/16
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Go for it SgtWilko. You can apply on our behalf. 

Matt Beddow

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Aug 4, 2016, 6:36:35 AM8/4/16
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Either myself, oly or simon can apply if you wish, but im more than happy for you to if you want.
Sounds like you already have a few contacts there etc...

Matt
years PiWars <http://piwars.org/> with my eldest (AKA Offspring1).


When I first mention PiWars several months back, it was
suggested that as a Hackspace we might want to enter a robot.
As it so happens, applications for the next competition have
just opened, we have until 22nd September to apply.

The PiWars categories have changed each year, this time they are
pitting similar groups against each other, we would be up against other
hack/maker spaces from across the country.
There's no guarantee that we will be selected as team, they were
over subscribed last year, but many teams dropped out due to
overestimating what was required.


As a hackspace we might not have anywhere to build things, but
we have many programmers amongst the group.

Another competition, one that doesn't require any development of
hardware, is Formula Pi
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frobotics/formula-pi-self-driving-
robot-racing-with-the-rasp> , this is a brand new self driving robot
competition.

For £200 we can have a robot chassis and entry into both the
Winter and Summer series. All we would need to provide is Pi & Camera
and create the software (they have a basic image we can use).
For £70 we can take part in both the Winter and Summer series,
but would have to rely on changing the software without having the robot
to test with.

This is on Kickstarter, so the sooner we decide on this one the
better (realistically we have about 10-14 days to decide before the
slots are likely to all be taken).

Have a read/look at both competitions:
http://piwars.org/2017-competition/
<http://piwars.org/2017-competition/>
http://piwars.org/2017-competition/application/
<http://piwars.org/2017-competition/application/>


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frobotics/formula-pi-self-driving-r
obot-racing-with-the-rasp
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frobotics/formula-pi-self-driving-
robot-racing-with-the-rasp>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D14KWfKxuE
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D14KWfKxuE>

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLslXmU8SC8hq5BXTwjC0mrK16h47u3bdK
<https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLslXmU8SC8hq5BXTwjC0mrK16h47u3bd
K>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK7KInFzMIA
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK7KInFzMIA>


SgtWilko.
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Oly

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Aug 4, 2016, 6:41:12 AM8/4/16
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yeah anyone can apply, myself and simon probably will not get around to it till some time next week. but if no one else has I shall start looking into what is required.

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Michael McRoberts

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Aug 16, 2016, 6:05:30 AM8/16/16
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I presume we have applied now?

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SgtWilko

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Aug 16, 2016, 7:50:12 PM8/16/16
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Yes we have.

Michael McRoberts

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Sep 25, 2016, 5:10:48 AM9/25/16
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OK, so are we in ? 

SgtWilko

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Sep 25, 2016, 5:38:53 AM9/25/16
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The application process has closed, they will asses all entries and let us know on/by the 1st October.

As soon as I hear anything I will post in here.

Mike McRoberts

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Sep 25, 2016, 5:39:25 AM9/25/16
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OK great thanks.

On 25 Sep 2016, at 10:38, SgtWilko <nu...@sgtwilko.f9.co.uk> wrote:

The application process has closed, they will asses all entries and let us know on/by the 1st October.

As soon as I hear anything I will post in here.

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SgtWilko

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Sep 26, 2016, 12:16:37 PM9/26/16
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No real news, but there were 120 teams apply for 76 places.


On Sunday, 25 September 2016 10:39:25 UTC+1, Michael McRoberts wrote:
OK great thanks.

On 25 Sep 2016, at 10:38, SgtWilko <nu...@sgtwilko.f9.co.uk> wrote:

The application process has closed, they will asses all entries and let us know on/by the 1st October.

As soon as I hear anything I will post in here.

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Michael McRoberts

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Sep 27, 2016, 8:51:48 AM9/27/16
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Fingers crossed. 

Grzegorz Worona

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Apr 15, 2018, 2:53:30 PM4/15/18
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Guys,

Are you still active in the area ? I’m trying to reach anyone from hacker space and not sure if that mailing list is still active as I didn’t hear anything from you for long time. 

As I’m leaving UK for good soon I have some potentially interesting stuff to give away and thought you might be interested. 

Let me know
Cheers


On Tue, 27 Sep 2016 at 13:51, Michael McRoberts <mike...@gmail.com> wrote:
Fingers crossed. 


On Monday, 26 September 2016 17:16:37 UTC+1, SgtWilko wrote:
No real news, but there were 120 teams apply for 76 places.


On Sunday, 25 September 2016 10:39:25 UTC+1, Michael McRoberts wrote:
OK great thanks.

On 25 Sep 2016, at 10:38, SgtWilko <nu...@sgtwilko.f9.co.uk> wrote:

The application process has closed, they will asses all entries and let us know on/by the 1st October.

As soon as I hear anything I will post in here.

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Mike McRoberts

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:03:32 PM4/15/18
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Yep, still alive Greg. What kind of stuff are you talking about? 

Grzegorz Worona

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:20:41 PM4/15/18
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Mike :-)

I’m talking about 2x3d printers. One is rather small one and not very stable in printing but a perfect donor of stepper motors controller and actually can be modded for something more fancy like chocolate printer. The other one is better and bigger. With steel frame mingda gliter 2. This one is really accurate the only problem I remember it will require new flat cable In x asis. Got few spools of different filaments (new packed) really nice led sign (like big red led matrix controlled over rs484) maybe some soldering stations. I don’t know. Have to sort out mess at home till 4th of June. That could also be some drone I’ve build on250 frame and probably a lot of different smaller MCU development boards. 2 technical shelfs as seen on photo? Basically I’m trying to get rid of the big things first and don’t have time to sell it hence I thought you might be interested in something from my “lab”. There might be more when I keep digging :-) let me know  if you might need something. 



Cheers
Greg
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Mike McRoberts

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:24:19 PM4/15/18
to Grzegorz Worona, maidstone...@googlegroups.com
Sure we’ll take whatever it is you are willing to give away. Thanks a lot.
On 15 Apr 2018, at 21:20, Grzegorz Worona <grze...@worona.pl> wrote:

Mike :-)

I’m talking about 2x3d printers. One is rather small one and not very stable in printing but a perfect donor of stepper motors controller and actually can be modded for something more fancy like chocolate printer. The other one is better and bigger. With steel frame mingda gliter 2. This one is really accurate the only problem I remember it will require new flat cable In x asis. Got few spools of different filaments (new packed) really nice led sign (like big red led matrix controlled over rs484) maybe some soldering stations. I don’t know. Have to sort out mess at home till 4th of June. That could also be some drone I’ve build on250 frame and probably a lot of different smaller MCU development boards. 2 technical shelfs as seen on photo? Basically I’m trying to get rid of the big things first and don’t have time to sell it hence I thought you might be interested in something from my “lab”. There might be more when I keep digging :-) let me know  if you might need something. 

<IMG_9326.jpg>

Grzegorz Worona

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:35:39 PM4/15/18
to Mike McRoberts, maidstone...@googlegroups.com
Cool,

I thought you can make use of it and I’m very limited in things I can get with me to Canada. Maybe I didn’t attend on the meetings as much as I’d like but I love the concept of local hacker/maker communities. My biggest isssue is I currently own Mini Cooper without boot hence if any of you have any bigger vehicle and could help me with transport of these all things that would be perfect. 

Cheers
Greg

Mike McRoberts

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:36:36 PM4/15/18
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Sure I can get plenty in my car. It will have to be after Pi Wars though as too busy till after 22nd.

Grzegorz Worona

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:39:31 PM4/15/18
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That’s perfectly fine. I’ll give you a shout soon. 

Cheers
Greg

Mike McRoberts

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:40:02 PM4/15/18
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Thanks Greg and thanks for thinking of us.

Ian Wilkinson

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Apr 15, 2018, 4:43:17 PM4/15/18
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Hiya,

Yes we are still in the area, since this thread started we found a small space.

Check out the maidstone-hackspace.org.uk website for address details and pop down on a Wednesday we'll be happy to see you!


Grzegorz Worona

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May 3, 2018, 10:02:32 AM5/3/18
to Mike McRoberts, maidstone...@googlegroups.com
Right, I’ve clean up house a little bit and prepared everything for you in garage. Variety of stuff you can work on further projects. Will any of you will be able to collect it from Chatham ME4 sometime between today and Saturday ? 

Mike McRoberts

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May 3, 2018, 10:18:11 AM5/3/18
to Grzegorz Worona, 'Simon Ridley' via Maidstone Hackspace
Grzegorz how much stuff are you talking about? Is it one car load?



Cheers
Greg

Fingers crossed. 
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Grzegorz Worona

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May 3, 2018, 10:21:49 AM5/3/18
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everything is packed, it depends on how big your car is. I would say that would be 2 loads in total


Cheers
Greg

Fingers crossed. 
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Ian Wilkinson

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May 3, 2018, 11:04:49 AM5/3/18
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I can probably do a load on Saturday afternoon.

Ian

Grzegorz Worona

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May 3, 2018, 11:21:29 AM5/3/18
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Well. I would suggest if someone can come and take some stuff to assess how much it will be. Packing whole apartment disrupted my sense of size 
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