Robot Name Clearing House

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DieGracefullyRobotics
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Robot Name Clearing House

Post by DieGracefullyRobotics »

Hi all.
One of my bugbears in robot combat is a lack of thought when it comes to naming your robot. Not a big deal, most think, but a lack of originality, or using a name that somebody else has been using for a while can lead to issues.

Example. At the upcoming AWS there is a robot signed up called Flippant (Peter Waller, who has used it for years) and another called Flip Pant. There is also a Ram Pant and one who has declared an interest in coming who is calling his Ramp-Ant (incidentally also a name that has been used in the past). There are also robots signed up called DominAnt (another name Peter has used for years, now being used by someone else) and Cannon Fodder (one of the oldest fighting ants in the UK is also called Cannon Fodder).

Besides the obvious possible annoyance for the original builders, this can also cause headaches for organisers and roboteers alike at events when they think their ant has been called for a fight and it hasn't, or even cases where a fight happens with the wrong robot involved, which can screw up fight results if it goes unnoticed. It has happened in the past.

Obviously, you can call your robot anything you like (within the realms of good taste) but surely that should mean we're not getting so many repeats? Do people not check the sign up sheet first? There are almost infinite names out there, take pride in giving your robot its own identity! Honestly, if I see another fighting robot called Rhino or Hammerhead...*sigh*. And don't get me started on small, replica versions of somebody else's robot without seeking permission from the original builder...*shudder*

Anyway, I'm well aware people may not have an encyclopedic knowledge of UK ant names like me so I'd like to suggest this thread where anyone planning a new robot can ask if the name they plan to use has a history or, more importantly, someone who is currently active uses it, to save conflict at events (er, the bad kind, not the actual fighting!) especially as the entrant lists start to grow again.

Cheers! Dave.
Dave
Die Gracefully Robotics - Barely Even a Proper Team.
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peterwaller
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by peterwaller »

I hadn't noticed the duplication.
My Termite Cluster consists of Dominant and Alsoran which probably wont cause to much confusion but calling out Flippant and Flip Pant could cause problems.
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DieGracefullyRobotics
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by DieGracefullyRobotics »

I'm thinking of your hearing, Peter :wink:
Dave
Die Gracefully Robotics - Barely Even a Proper Team.
MichaelG92
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by MichaelG92 »

I'm the one who signed up a bot called DominAnt, I'm very sorry, I didn't realise the name was already in use. I will change it before AWS55, at least as soon as I can come up with a better one.

I like the idea of this thread, would save me from a repeat experience.
Last edited by MichaelG92 on Tue Jun 05, 2018 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Michael - Team MG Robotics

Fledgling Surrey based roboteering team

Antweights:

MicroNewton - flipper
ArmamAnt! - pusher
GFB - flipper (under construction)
Fight or Flight - flipper (under construction)
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BeligerAnt
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by BeligerAnt »

If a robot hasn't already competed in an event (in AntLog) then you can just change its name. You don't have to create a new robot.
Robots that have already competed can't have their names changed as doing so would change all the previous results.
Robots can, however, be "retired" if they are no longer in active service.

To change robot details:
Log in to AntLog
Click on the robots list
Find your robot (you can search using the box at the top of the Robot Name column) and click on the robot's name
Click on the Update button
Edit name, active status etc. Name cannot be edited if robot has previously competed
Click on the Update button
Gary, Team BeligerAnt
MichaelG92
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by MichaelG92 »

Yes, I was planning on just renaming it; I haven’t even built it yet! Apologies again.
Michael - Team MG Robotics

Fledgling Surrey based roboteering team

Antweights:

MicroNewton - flipper
ArmamAnt! - pusher
GFB - flipper (under construction)
Fight or Flight - flipper (under construction)
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DieGracefullyRobotics
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by DieGracefullyRobotics »

No need for apologies at all Michael, all good.
Dave
Die Gracefully Robotics - Barely Even a Proper Team.
MichaelG92
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by MichaelG92 »

Has anyone used the name ArmamAnt/Armament before? I didn’t spot it when I checked the sign up sheet.
Michael - Team MG Robotics

Fledgling Surrey based roboteering team

Antweights:

MicroNewton - flipper
ArmamAnt! - pusher
GFB - flipper (under construction)
Fight or Flight - flipper (under construction)
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tomboys
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by tomboys »

Has anyone used Up the Antie before?
Tom Boys (Team Tomb)
Up the Antie - Flipper
Push Comes to Shove - Shovebot
Vertigo - Vertical spinner
Bar Bar Black Sheep - Bristlebot (planned)
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DieGracefullyRobotics
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Re: Robot Name Clearing House

Post by DieGracefullyRobotics »

Neither of those has been used yet to my knowledge, so feel free :)
Dave
Die Gracefully Robotics - Barely Even a Proper Team.
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