Q: What sets this idea apart from the other CH ideas?
A: One word simplicity. To many ideas in CH are to complex and require to much to make happen. We can make this idea without a huge team, large resources, and huge investments.

Q: Will this appeal to everyone?
A: One other flaw that CH has, trying to make everyone happy with an idea. Robots appeal to a wide range of demographics and ages. But, we can't make everyone happy in the real world. This idea will revolve around our target audience. By making a fun interesting site for casual users.

Q: Is this intended for casual or hardcore users?
A: There is probably going to be a mix between hardcore and casual users. Except, this idea is expected to gain more of the casual market.

Q: Have any metrics at all about the costs to develop vs the likely return on investment/size of fan base etc?
A: That depends on a lot of factors.

Investment Cost Estimate:
Domain Name & Host = $35-$85 per year
Web Site Design = Crowd sourced free or $30-$80 Professional
Flash programming (Small Job) = Crowd sourced free or $50-75 Professional
Promotional Advertising = $40-$70 per year (Optional)

Total Cost = $35-$310
Total Annual Cost =$35-$155 per year

Return Estimate:
This depends on number of users and many other factors.
Advertising profit usually breaks down like this:
Very Low Traffic Site = $6-$10 per month | $72-$120 per year
Low Traffic Site = $15-$20 per month | $180-$240 per year
Mid Traffic Site = $30-$60 per month | $360-$720 per year
High Traffic Site = $80-$400 per month | $960-$4800 per year
Extreme High Traffic Site = $600+ | $7200+ per year

Q: What do you need from this community?
A: A few programmers and artists.
1-2 Programmers (Flash/Website Developers)
1-2 Artists (To design the starting content.)
Any user with creative ideas would be of help.

Q: Can you make it so the robot can move around?
A: Yes, it could be done with body rigging.

Q: Can users submit there own content?
A: Yes, because all parts are interchangeable and would allow a variety of artistic styles.

Q: Are there ways to make money other then ads & donations?
A: Yes, the site could sell related robotic things on the side: Toys, art, animated ringtones, electronic kits, buttons, clothing, etc...

Q: How will the UI be set up?
A: There are a few ways to set up the UI.
Side & Match (Users slid parts across to match up with others.)
Pick & Choose (Users pick parts from a stockpile and place them anywhere.)
Hybrid (A mix between both system.)

Q: How can we test to see if this will work?
A: The only way to truly test the waters is actually make it, repeat ACTUALLY MAKE IT. That my friend is the path for this idea.

Q: Could you make all genders available?
A: Yes, whether or not you think that gender belongs in your creations has a lot to do with your vision of how robots will fit into our future.

Q: If users wanted to pay could a toys be made out of there creation?
A: Yes, figurines and vinyl toys could be made from there creation if they really wanted. Users could also use there creations to customize a lot of other merchandise: Clothing buttons, mugs, posters, etc...

Q: What are is the overall marketing plan?
A: Here is an overview of the marketing strategies for the site:
* Strong affiliation with other sites
* User referrals (Example: Refer your friends and you get an additional Thing-a-Majig.)
* Viral marketing (Word of mouth)
* Plug-in's (FaceBook, Myspace and other Social Networks)
* Traditional banner advertisements
* Fresh content (Content is king)

Q: Will there be a game that you can play with your friends?
A: Yes, there are plans to make a game on the site that lets you use the characters you make.

Q: Will there be a high scores for the game list or a rating list for user characters?
A: Yes, because keeping score creates even more feelings of accomplishment. Also, a ratings system for user made characters will be available.

Q: Is there a value or primary need?
A: Yes, it inspires user creativity and can help spark a users interest in electronics. Even though the main goal is entertainment.

Could be fun. Ideally, this gets tied-in to a corporate (toy? cartoon?) effort.

Okay... it's the same idea from before, but on a blank slate. Hey Kevin, removing the old criticisms doesn't make this idea any better. People spent alot of time giving you their thoughts on the idea already, and you wipe them clean. Why would we waste our time again ?

It's been in at least 5 idea wars and lost. What is 100 cambros really going to do for this idea ? If you were going to do something with it you could have done it in the time your spending on this.

First, if you notice I completely went over everything said in the past topics in the FAQ. I did it because I was sick and tired of having to scroll through like 60+ posts that mostly went over the same questions over and over.
Feel free to look at the old versions:
http://www.cambrianh...er/ideas-id/zPc843S/
Also, I don't recall any real criticisms if any on my old idea.

Next, it has done quite well in many of the voting rounds. Some even in 2nd or 3rd.

You know what would be funny... a social network for robots. Maybe Faceplatebook.com.
It would keep them busy on their off hours so they don't plot an insurrection against their human overlords.
Just a thought.

FAQ is appreciated-
good luck

This is still one of my favorite ideas.
I hope you win this time!

Given the endurance this idea seems to have... can I respectfully suggest that you edit your elevator pitch? It's uninformative and unhelpful.

Kevin- it exists: dumbed down version but here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOTS%21%21
o even simpler?
http://www.make-a-robot.com/

"can I respectfully suggest that you edit your elevator pitch?"
Sure you bet you can, I will see if I can revise it to be more informative.

"Kevin- it exists: dumbed down version but here you go"
Well, I know there are dumbed down versions that exist in the shallow end of the gene pool. That or good versions be simply in different genre's twice removed from this idea.

I just want to make something that looks great and easy to use. Something that inspires true artistic creativity even if you are not an artist.

acclaim's bots isn't where you idea is yet, but seems to fill most of what you are looking for without the "social network" aspect, but it is a mmog... so why would people want to "fight" or create robots on facebook?

Acclaim's bots is not in the same realm it is good. Except, they are on a completely diffrent path.

This project is more creatively driven. It is something designed to cultivate an environment which is most artistically motivated.

You seem to be giving Facebook users more rationalization then they deserve. Most if not all applications are simple nonsense. Not to say simple nonsense is bad or anything. Here you go check it out:
http://www.facebook.com

GroundLoad, its Kevin's call if he wants to submit the idea fresh, all we'd ask is that deprecated ideas are set to PRIVATE so there's not tons of duplicates lying around.

Kevin, very nice layout. I think this is about as nice as an idea can be formatted in the CH framework.

Question: What would it take for you to be turned into a robot?
Answer: Weapons instead of useless "limbs" and "central processing unit".

Hi Kevin,

You may want to look at this site. Wow wee have got some amazing Robots on display in Vegas this week. They have also appeared to have incorporated a few of your ideas.

http://www.pocket-li...80/13004/wowwee-robo
ts-ces-rovio-Personality.phtml

Iron Giant and Brad Bird are the best!

I found this distracting for awhile:

http://www.magorium.com/toycreator/

You can make toys and stuff (including robots) but they don't move or anything.

I am impressed how this idea has grown and developed

Good job Kevin.