Meeting Minutes Saturday August 12th, 2017 
10:00-11:00 Special Interest Group Lectures-  on Artificial Intelligence Special Interest Group based on leafproject.org by Dr. Bruce, discusses AI and Navigation topics (Neato Robotics Lidar, Python, SLAM, navigation, velocity scaling)
11:00-12:00 Class - Amazon Alexa Programming by Thomas
12:00-12:30 Break - bring your snacks or lunch
12:35-12:45 Business Meeting
- Monthly Events
- Budget
- Next classes and Competitions including World Robot Olympiad
- Participation in the Long Beach ComiCon (Sept. 2017)
12:45- 1:15 Competition- Don't miss this exciting Robot Sumo Wrestling.  See Contest Rules menu for more details
1:15 - 3:00 Show-N-Tell - Show us what you are working on! Open to anyone to show what they are working on or ask for opinions and getting possible solutions.
Impress us with your best creation!

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​10:00 AM AI Special Interest Group session by Dr. Bruce Weimer.
Dr. Bruce brought his Nexus Robot that he bought from RoboShop. Dr. Bruce discussed the included Arduino source code, libraries and future plans on using a NUC as the main mini computer for his bot.

​11:00 AM Thomas from Robots and Androids gave a lecture on using Alexa and programming it for your robots. See his presentation slides for more information. 
Testing Alexa when you don't have an Amazon Echo. A Web based alexa simulator usable from your PC or Mac with compatible browser and connected microphone and speaker.  You login with an amazon account credentials.  Convenient if your echo isn't handy or won't connect to the Internet for some reason. 

11:15 Break

12:45- 1:00 Business Meeting
-Budget ~$964 per our treasurer Ron Rose
Events we are participating in or will visit as RSSC Members:
​7/29/2017 Midsummer Scream Halloween Show in Long Beach.  See Report.
8/13/17 WRO World Robot Olympiad in Long Beach.  See Report. 
10/7 and 10/8 2017  San Diego Maker Faire

​1:18 RobotSumo Competition - only one competitor so it was cancelled

1:19 Show-N-Tell
Eric W.  talked about using a Bluetooth interactive robot at the Maker Faire to get people interested in robotics
Note: If you have a wheeled two servo motor robot here is an easy way to implement Bluetooth Android wireless control.

1:30 Mitch showed a couple pictures from his robots used for television shows. Him and his son also built a WWII remote controlled tank

2:01 Walter and Alan showed their new Turtlebot 2i from Trossen Robotics / Interbotix robot to be used in a class by Walter Martinez at CSULB. The robot platform as an articualted arm and runs on ROS. More to come soon. Walter also showed videos of the Kickstarter campaign for Prof. Einstein from Hanson robotics​

2:40 Les talked about low cost infrared transmitters and receivers that can be used in SumoBots. 

2:52 Tim Lewis demonstrated his sound board used in a project related with paint guns. He also showed a video of a new Lincoln Animatronic figure from Garner Productions

3:00 Meeting Ended

2017 Scheduled Events
Classes:
- Jan: Bill - Discussed the Arduino Alternatives
- Feb: Alan - All about Git Hub
- Mar: Mitch - Interfacing Arduino to Bluetooth
- Apr: Tim Lewis - Interfacing the Arduino Pro mini
- May: Mitch Lithium vs Lead Acid battery technologies
- June: DSP (by Les)
- July: Alan and Walter demonstrate Trossen WindowX Robot Arm and ROS
- Aug: Amazon Alexa Programming by Thomas
- Sept: ESP8266 Dev Modules by Karl 
- October: Halloween by Tim Lewis
- Nov: 
- Dec:

Contests:
- Jan: No Contest
- Feb: No Contest
- Mar: Best use of voice command
- Apr: Line Following
​- May: Sumo - moved to August
- June: Fire Fighting Robot Contest
- July: Walking Robot Contest
- Aug: ​Sumo
- Sept: Line Following
- October: Open Door or fetch beverage (tentative)
- Nov: Sumo
- Dec: ​Talent Contest and Pizza Party​