Mecha Mayhem 2007

Event Description

In 2007, the Chicago Robotic Combat Association is gearing up to bring the action-packed spectacle of world-class robotic combat to the Chicago area and the Midwest. The CRCA aims to become the first major robotic combat organization in Chicago, and to develop its signature event, Mecha-Mayhem, into one of the foremost robotics competitions in the country.

The CRCA is collaborating with the Hobby Manufacturers Association’s iHobby Expo and Synergy Robotics Entertainment to produce Mecha-Mayhem 2007, slated for October 20–21. The iHobby Expo is the international showcase for the newest electronic hobbyist technology, models, and valued miniature collectables. Running this year from October 18–21 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, the HMA’s iHobby Expo is now in its 18th year, with a projected attendance of more than 20,000 for 2007. As the largest event of its kind in the world, the iHobby Expo is the perfect long-term showcase for Mecha-Mayhem, both this coming October and for years to come.

Synergy Robotics Entertainment was created by Charles Arnold and Deb Holmes to support and promote robotic combat events. Arnold and Holmes previously organized events for the Robot Fighting League, which sanctioned and standardized robotic competition internationally. They have overseen the RFL’s 2006 National robotics competition, Triangle Nationals in 2003, the Rochester Robot Rampage in 2005, and the NPC Charity Open in 2004. Many in the competitive robotics community will recognize Arnold and Holmes from the Minnesota Manufacturing Educational Resource (MMER).

Alongside the CRCA, the Chicago Area Robotics Group will be running their annual Chibotica autonomous robotics problem-solving competition. At this annual event, dozens of the brightest amateur and pro robotics engineers will compete in “thinking robot” challenges—escaping mazes, robot combat sumo, and other complex tasks—showing yet another dimension of this thrilling pursuit.

**NOTE: Because of the low registration, all weight classes above beetles no longer have a registration fee. We will be doing demonstrations in these classes instead of combat.**

Schedule:
Friday October 19th: Check-In Safety
Saturday October 20th: Check-In, Combat Demos
Sunday October 20th: Combat Demos

Each day the building will be open at 8AM and close around 7PM. The expo is open to the public 10AM to 5PM. We will run combat during these hours. We are required by the show to have some down time so they can run other events, so we will likely have two 1 hour breaks during each day.


Rules:
Our rules can be found here: Mecha-Mayhem 2007 Rules.pdf


Weight Classes Fees:

Class	Wheeled	Non-Wheeled	Fee
150g	150 gram	300 gram	$10
Ant	1 pound	2 pound	$15
Beetle	3 pound	6 pound	$20
Hobby	12 pound	24 pound	FREE
Feather	30 pound	60 pound	FREE
Light	60 pound	120 pound	FREE
Middle	120 pound	240 pound	FREE
Heavy	220 pound	440 pound	FREE
Super	340 pound	N/A	FREE

Frequencies:
Because this is a hobby show and there are other groups running R/C equiptment we have been strictly limited to frequencies: 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80 in the 75MHz band. We are also allowed to run 2.4GHz and 900MHz systems. Because, we do not want to force builders to purchase equipment for our event we will deduct the cost of crystals from you're registration fees.


Lodging and Air Travel:
The iHobby event has generously offered to extend their reduced rates to us. More info can be found at: http://www.ihobbyexpo.com/hotel.cfm


Shipping:
Robots can be shipped directly to the venue. Their is a fee of $11 per 100 lbs by the Rosemont Exposition Services. This includes advance storage, delivery to the venue, and storage of containers during the event. Please contact the RES for further information.

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