What Can Nature Teach Us? Join the Natural Robotics Contest!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Natural Robotics Contest, which invites participants to submit designs for nature-inspired robots aimed at solving real-world problems. The scope includes aspects of biomimicry, creativity in engineering, and public engagement in robotics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the contest, emphasizing its goal to inspire creativity and interest in biomimicry among non-engineers.
  • Another participant inquires about the history of the contest, questioning whether it has been conducted before.
  • The contest organizer responds, noting previous smaller contests and highlighting the involvement of a professional team and funding for the project.
  • A later reply humorously comments on the organizer's confidence in the contest's outcome, suggesting a light-hearted skepticism about the final results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not present a consensus, as participants express curiosity and varying degrees of skepticism about the contest's execution and outcomes.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided detailed information on the criteria for judging submissions or the specific nature of the funding and support for the contest.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in robotics, biomimicry, design contests, and public engagement in science and technology may find this discussion relevant.

robjds
Hi!

I'm a roboticist / university lecturer, and I'm running a design contest together with several other universities that I thought might be a great place for all the scientists in this forum! It's called the Natural Robotics Contest: www.naturalroboticscontest.com

All you need is drawing of a nature-inspired robot, that can do something to help the world. And a team of professional robotics engineers will be turning the winning drawing into a real, working (and open-source) robot this summer!

Our main aim is to foster interest in biomimicry, and to let in some creativity from outside of engineering research offices - I often get some great impromptu pitches when I’m talking to the public / visiting schools, so this is a chance to take something off the drawing board that might not otherwise get made. You don't need to be an artist to enter, we're looking for ideas, not drawing ability!

The contest is open for submissions until the end of June. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more!
 

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robjds said:
I'm a roboticist / university lecturer, and I'm running a design contest together with several other universities that I thought might be a great place for all the scientists in this forum! It's called the Natural Robotics Contest: www.naturalroboticscontest.com

Welcome to PF. Interesting project -- have you done this kind of contest before, or is this the first time?
 
I've done this sort of contest in small settings (student classes, public events etc.), this is the first time I've opened it up to the public. And there's now a full team of roboticists on board and we've also been awarded some funding to build the winning design into something very cool!
 
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You must be really confident in your abilities. ( or not care that much if the final result kind of sucks :D) very cool.
 

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