As Chattanooga’s first Mini Maker Faire approaches, organizers announce the addition of Robot Battles to the lineup of events.
The Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire, which celebrates invention, creativity and resourcefulness, will take place on Oct. 11 at the First Tennessee Pavilion. As a part of the Faire, Robot Battles will host a MicroBattles competition.
Since 1991, Robot Battles has been staging robotic combat competitions around the United States. It is one of the oldest competitions of its kind in the world and is a direct descendant of the oldest robotic event, the “Critter Crunch,” held every year in Denver.
“We are extremely excited to make Robot Battles a part of Chattanooga’s first Mini Maker experience,” said Graham Bredemeyer, Mini Maker Faire organizer. “We are really looking forward to what makers of all ages, especially our local students, come up with.”
Robot registration will begin at 10 a.m. on the day of the event and last until noon. Battles will follow at the Tennessee Pavilion. Battles will include three weight classes: one pound, three pound and mini-sumobots. All bots must meet the standard bot rules found at http://robotbattles.com/rules.htm.
Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire welcomes keynote speaker Leah Buechley. Ms. Buechley, a former MIT Media Lab educator, created LilyPad. LilyPad is a set of sewable electronic pieces that can sense information about the environment using light and temperature sensors and react with LED lights, vibrator motors, and speakers. Ms. Buechley will speak at 2 p.m. on the day of the event.
The Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire’s focus is on people who show what they make and share what they are learning. An example is the wide array of workshops and exhibits that will be featured at this year’s event.
Faire-goers will have a chance to watch and learn how to assemble squishy circuits, which are dough-like objects that help to connect components. Silk screening, soldering and pottery workshops will also be featured. In addition, Brash Coffee, located in Warehouse Row, will be on hand to share the process of coffee roasting. Workshops and exhibits will be open and on display throughout the Mini Maker Faire.