Stage Directions: Automation is the biggest trend in staging right now, and Stage Directions and RC4 Wireless are teaming up to offer one big automation prize. The grand prize winner of the Stage Directions and RC4 Wireless Automation Challenge will receive a complete RC6 Wireless Motion kit from RC4 Wireless, a prize package of wireless motion control equipment worth around $10,000.
4 comments:
This sounds like a really cool contest! From what I hear it sounds like we (CMU Drama) will be entering. That's very cool. I know that many other schools wouldn't have the money, time, skill, or interest in doing something like this. I don't know much about automation, but this sounds like a challenging task. I'm a little confused by what this article says they are looking for. The requirements seem to be overly limiting to the point where there will only be a couple of types of design that can meet all the requirements. I suspect that I'm missing something in there because I'm sure that the guys at RC4 wireless wound't do something like that. I hope that in some small way I'll be able to help out with the CMU entry or at least get to see it in action.
I agree with Akiva in that the contest parameters feel very constrained but then again I don't know much about automation. I'm also not sure how creative you can really get with a four foot square platform. But then again maybe this is more about the technology and designing a simple platform that make the most out of their automation equipment rather than coming up with something that looks good. Either way it still seems like a very cool contest with a lot interesting possibilities and if CMU is entering I'm sure we will kick some ass.
This looks like a great contest, especially for a place like cmu! Between our top notch robotics department and the school of drama, I'm sure we have the best people in the industry to take on a challenge like this. I also just like the idea of the wireless automation system, there are so many times on stage when putting in tracks is just too much for the production. This could also make automation accessible for smaller theatres who dont have the capital investment for the infrastructure that goes along with a typical system. The one concern i would have is, as with any wireless device, if the signal gets interference or even gets hacked, that could mean major trouble for a large piece of scenery moving on stage.
I don't know if RC automation has a place in the future of stage design, but I don't think we have to care about that to get in on this challenge. To me the parameters seem clear enough and pose an interesting challenge for technical design. The biggest hurdles in the design would appear to me to be in marrying top speed and independent mobility. Designing something that can be both fast and maneuverable is no simple task. Perhaps it could have two different modes that use different features of the design for speed in a straight line and others for maneuverability through a course at slower speeds, much like we might choose universal versus straight casters for different applications. Battery conservation also poses a hurdle, and directly affects the top speed parameter. More batteries = more battery life = heavier = more power drain at top speed. Ouch. I'm not saying this is all over our heads, but I agree with Trent that if we're going to be serious about this, it is going to have to be an interdepartmental affair. I'll make the coffee.
Post a Comment