International NodeBots Day Melbourne, 2017

Andrew Fisher

Build web controlled things.
Play with hardware.
Make robots!
It doesn’t matter whether you are new to hardware, Internet of Things and robotics or have been creating droids since you were a kid - come and be part of NodeBots Day 2017! 
You’ll build things, explore new topics, meet new people and have loads of fun while doing it. 
On July 22, come and join designers and developers from around Melbourne and Victoria for a day of exploration, hacking and fun. 
At the same time, you'll be part of a week long event, bringing together people from dozens of locations all around the world, also building NodeBots. From Melbourne to Miami, Sydney to Sao Paulo and Brisbane to Boston, communities will be coming together for a global festival of JavaScript and Robotics.
NodeBots Day isn’t your usual event. You’ll use JavaScript but also get to play with Arduinos, Servos, Sensors, Node.js, Johnny-Five, LEDs, Raspberry Pi's and maybe even a drone. 
This year we will be conducting some hands on sessions covering SimpleBot build sessions and Node IoT and will have a whole afternoon of SumoBot battles - culminating in a finals series to crown a winner. We'll also have a science fair to show off what you've built on the day or things you've built before NodeBots Day 2017.
<IMG ALT="Building web connected things" SRC="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/18215383/dsc00040.jpg">Been before? Time to level up your NodeBots skills
For those who have been before, there will be some advanced workshops for those who want to take their nodebots skills even further. This year there will be sessions on .
Who should attend?
Anyone who is interested in designing or building robots and web connected physical things or just wants to learn something about robotics.
Do I need to be a developer?
Not really. You'll need to have passing familiarity with JavaScript - if you can get to "Hello, world" in a browser you'll find the day a load of fun and develop your skills.
What do I need to bring?
Yourself and a willingness to learn and explore with others.
Bring your laptop and if you’ve got any hardware that you’ve been playing with (Arduinos, Robots etc) then you’re more than welcome to bring them too. If you’re totally new to hardware then we will have some basic kits for you to play with. We’ll also have some other components provided that you can use too.
We'll have kits available for purchase - a basic "Scientist Kit" to teach you some fundamental electronics (and become the heart of a future robot) as well as a "SimpleBot" which is a more serious kit and is a fully fledged robot.
<IMG ALT="Building Bots" SRC="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/18215383/dsc09910.jpg">What will we do?
We’ll kick off the day with a few unconference style presentations to groups depending on your familiarity and from there we’ll dive into getting you up and running with Johnny-Five and building your first “thing”. After that it’s up to you - get into a group with others or hack away solo. Our friendly volunteer experts will be there to give you a hand.
What’s included?
We’ll provide you with a space to play, power, WiFi and Internet access as well as some snacks through the day to keep you fuelled. We’ll have plenty of components like LEDs, servos and some other bits of kit that you can use to build things with. 
Hands on Sessions
This year we will be running some dedicated morning sessions on the following topics
<UL>
<LI>Building a Battle-ready SimpleBot for the afternoon - getting you up and running on your build as well as the software you need to drive it. The aim will be to get you to a tethered, working robot under software control so you can take it wireless and give it a body. To join this session you need to have a SimpleBot kit (or have brought your own parts). </LI>
<LI>Making Internet Connected "Things" with NodeJS - using the Scientist Kit as the base, this session will guide you through building your first things that are internet connected via your laptop. To join this session you need to have a Scientist Kit (or have brought your own equivalent parts) </LI>
<LI>A crash course on Johnny Five - in this brief session we'll get you up and running with your software and make sure you can do your first NodeBots "Hello World" from your computer with an Arduino and an LED. </LI>
<LI>Additional session TBC</LI>
</UL>
 <IMG ALT="Building together" SRC="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/18215383/dsc09864.jpg">Can I bring my kids? Is this a child appropriate event?
Children are more than welcome to attend and we've had 7-15 year old kids at all of our events who really enjoyed the day. In 2015 &amp; 2016 kids teams made it through the finals of the SumoBot competion so watch out adults, there's some serious robotics talent coming through! 
The day isn't specifically aimed at children and as parents we know that keeping them interested for a whole day can be a challenge - but if anything is going to do that it's going to be blinking lights, moving robots and helping to build things! This year we'll have some "Robotnik science stations" set up where kids can learn about electronics using Blockly (based on scratch) to build JavaScript.
If you have any questions about suitability for kids, please get in touch and we'll be more than happy to chat about it.
Who’s doing this?
Andrew Fisher (<A HREF="http://twitter.com/ajfisher" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@ajfisher</A>) is a core NodeBots developer and is herding the cats.
<A HREF="http://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/strengths-achievements/specialist-facilities/advanced-technologies-centre/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Advanced Design &amp; Manufacturing Centre at Swinburne University</A>, are providing you with a space, WiFi and power.
Andy Gelme (Melbourne HackerSpace -<A HREF="http://twitter.com/geekscape" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> @geekscape</A>), Andrey Sidorov (<A HREF="http://twitter.com/sidorares" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@sidorares</A> node developer and protocol enthusiast) and Mark Wolfe (<A HREF="http://twitter.com/wolfeidau" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@wolfeidau</A> - hardware hacker) are all providing their expertise on the day.
What does it cost?
<IMG ALT="Playing with NodeBots" SRC="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/18215383/img2840.jpg">Basic Ticket: It’s $20 which goes towards consumables and some additional hardware to play with. We have plenty of equipment for you to enjoy on the day as the event is designed to be enjoyed regardless of whether you have your own kit or not. 
The funds for the event go towards some catering, consumables and equipment to play with on the day. All mentors volunteer their time for the event.
Scientist Ticket: If you're keen on learning more about electronics then the $55 "NodeBot Scientist" is what you're after. You'll have your very own <A HREF="http://node-ardx.org" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Node-ARDX</A> style kit that you can use to learn fundamental electronics to use as the basis of a NodeBot on the day, and in the future too because you can take it home with you. This year we've added a few NodeBots Day goodies to the kit too that you can play with such as LCD screens and NeoPixels.
<IMG ALT="Robo Battles" SRC="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/18215383/img2816.jpg">Robo Hacker Ticket: For those that are keen to really get building we also have a $100 "Robo Hacker" ticket which has your ticket and provides you a SimpleBot kit so you can take your creation away with you afterwards as well.
Will there be equipment available on the day to purchase?
Very likely. We are looking to have a stock of simple gear (arduinos, servos etc) that will be avialable for purchase. More information will be available as we get closer to the event.
Code of conduct
We want NodeBots Day to be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We will not tolerate harrassment or discriminatory behaviour at our events and will be enforcing the policy outlined in our <A HREF="https://github.com/nodebotsau/nbdau/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Code of Conduct</A>.
Sponsors and partners
NodeBots Day is supported by these fabulous organisations:
<A HREF="http://www.swinburne.edu.au/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Swinburne University</A> is providing the wonderful Advanced Design &amp; Manufacturing Centre for us to play with - a state of the art location with lecture theatres, a great space to play in and wifi no matter where you happen to be.
<A HREF="http://hackmelbourne.org" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CCHS</A> - the first HackerSpace in Melbourne and NodeBots spiritual home in Melbourne for the rest of the year. CCHS is a hackerspace focussed on bringing together people with diverse skills to share their knowledge and expertise. The HackerSpace is a member run organisation, across the road from Swinburne Uni and has access to things like 3D Printers, Laser Cutters and CNC mills so you can really go for it to build the bot of your dreams.

Advanced Manufacturing and Design Centre, Swinburne University

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