Real Life ROBO Battles in Space Set for 2010?

ROBO-ONE In the Space… Nope, not the name of a 70’s Japanese action show, it’s one company’s plan to bring actual robot battles to space, and film them. ROBO-ONE is a robot battling venue in Japan, and they plan for the year 2010 to be the year that we see these battles in space. According to PinkTentacle’s translation:

The tentative date for the first space competition is October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), but a number of variables — such as obtaining international approval for the use of radio frequencies, the satellite launch schedules, etc. — make it difficult to set a firm date. Organizers are shooting for an actual date somewhere between 2010 and 2015.

“Battles will be conducted in the space surrounding the ROBO-ONE satellite, which will be in a polar orbit at an altitude of 400 to 600 km. Tokyo will have 10-minute windows of communication with the satellite 4 times per day as it passes overhead. Battles will be conducted during these 10-minute periods. The satellite will be launched as a “piggyback satellite” (a small satellite launched together with a major satellite, using the launcherÂ’s surplus payload capacity) and will measure 50 x 50 x 50 cm and weigh less than 50 kg.

The rules of combat will be similar to those in previous competitions, the only difference being the definition of what is considered “out” of the ring. A 5-meter long safety line that connects each robot to the satellite will be outfitted with tension sensors that detect when the line is fully extended (determining that the robot is “out” of the ring). To be eligible for the competition, the biped robots must measure no more than 10 x 10 x 10 cm and must be capable of walking on terra firma. They also must be controllable from the EarthÂ’s surface.”

Sounds like some pretty entertaining stuff! You can watch a promo video here. The company’s next plan? Robot battles on the moon!

ROBO-ONE In the Space… Nope, not the name of a 70’s Japanese action show, it’s one company’s plan to bring actual robot battles to space, and film them. ROBO-ONE is a robot battling venue in Japan, and they plan for the year 2010 to be the year that we see these battles in space. According to PinkTentacle’s translation:

The tentative date for the first space competition is October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), but a number of variables — such as obtaining international approval for the use of radio frequencies, the satellite launch schedules, etc. — make it difficult to set a firm date. Organizers are shooting for an actual date somewhere between 2010 and 2015.

“Battles will be conducted in the space surrounding the ROBO-ONE satellite, which will be in a polar orbit at an altitude of 400 to 600 km. Tokyo will have 10-minute windows of communication with the satellite 4 times per day as it passes overhead. Battles will be conducted during these 10-minute periods. The satellite will be launched as a “piggyback satellite” (a small satellite launched together with a major satellite, using the launcherÂ’s surplus payload capacity) and will measure 50 x 50 x 50 cm and weigh less than 50 kg.

The rules of combat will be similar to those in previous competitions, the only difference being the definition of what is considered “out” of the ring. A 5-meter long safety line that connects each robot to the satellite will be outfitted with tension sensors that detect when the line is fully extended (determining that the robot is “out” of the ring). To be eligible for the competition, the biped robots must measure no more than 10 x 10 x 10 cm and must be capable of walking on terra firma. They also must be controllable from the EarthÂ’s surface.”

Sounds like some pretty entertaining stuff! You can watch a promo video here. The company’s next plan? Robot battles on the moon!