Robot Rumbles Launches Web Site

16 June 1999

FEATURE/Robot Rumbles Launches Web Site; Begins Canadian Entry Into World Robotic Combat Competitions

    WINDSOR, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--June 16, 1999--The latest craze in the world of high tech robot sporting events is coming to Canada. Robot Rumbles(TM) has entered the explosive competitive sport of dueling robots with plans for a Spring/Summer 2000 event launch in Southwestern Ontario.
    Robot style combat is fast becoming known as the event of the 21st century and people like Darryl Lawrence, President of Robot Rumbles(TM), see it becoming a world-wide event very quickly. Robot Rumbles(TM) has just launched its web site www.robotrumbles.com and is currently looking for serious competitors in order to set a firm date for the event. According to Lawrence, this event will put Canada and the sport on the map. "There are a lot of serious robot builders in Canada, and with our proximity to the U.S. market, I felt it was time for Canada to make its entrance in to this competition sport."
    The most exciting aspect of this event, particularly for builders, is that they will have the chance to earn serious prize money. Lawrence believes this will bring out builders of all ages and skill levels to try their hand at the sport. "I think offering substantial prize money will help elevate this sport to a new level," says Lawrence. "It is my dream to see competitions between robot forums take place around the world, something I believe is very possible with strong industry sponsorship and recognition of the incredible time and expense that is involved in building competition robots. Rewarding people for their efforts is really what competition is all about."
    Lawrence, who is a Robotics Programmer in the automotive industry, has developed an extensive web site, with links to various robot builders and information about the Canadian-driven event. Membership to Robot Rumbles(TM) is also available and includes a T-shirt, hat, and many other unique benefits that robot builders and enthusiasts can take advantage of.
    Robot Rumbles(TM) will offer competitors a wide variety of weight classifications in which to compete including Feather Weight (5 - 25 lbs.), Light Weight (26 - 50 lbs.), Middle Weight (51 - 100 lbs.) and Heavy Weight (101 - 175 lbs.). There is even inclusion of a Legged Robot class with weight restrictions up to 300 lbs.
    While Robot Rumbles(TM) is not the first event of its kind to be held, Lawrence believes it will be the benchmark by which others are compared, with plans for a uniquely designed arena floor, new event classifications and of course, substantial prize money. Television rights are also in the works. Lawrence has already opened discussions with a cable based specialty channel about television rights, and plans to have something firm by the end of the year.
    The first robot sporting event was launched in 1994 in San Francisco. By 1997, the BBC had commissioned a television program based on the sport, and in 1998 there were 18 episodes being aired with a reported audience rating of some 6,000,000 people in the U.K.

    For media information about Robot Rumbles(TM) please contact:

    Darryl Lawrence,
    President,
    Robot Rumbles Inc.
    P.O. Box 27045,
    7720 Tecumseh Rd. East
    Windsor ON Canada N8T 3N5
    (519) 948-4482 (Media Contacts Only)
    www.robotrumbles.com (to publish in announcements)
    email: slayer@robotrumbles.com (to publish in announcements)