One of the most popular attractions was the ANDRIOD GLOVES which visitors could put on and operate with their own fingers. A similar concept to a power glove only with no computer interface.

The regular crowd pleasers like VARMINT and the MECHANICAL PIT BULL made their yearly public outing and met new audience members who hadn't had the pleasure of seeing them live before. Like most of The Robot Group projects VARMINT and the MECHANICAL PIT BULL have to be seen live to be really enjoyed and appreciated. In addition to the reliable robot stable of creatures The Robot Group added many new mechanical entities that also piqued the interest of the RoboFest 2 guests.

Making its debut at RoboFest 2 was the all-robotic performance ensemble SHRINKING ROBOT HEADS. This non-organic "band" consisted of four mechanical musicians interfaced to a computer, and vividly decorated with neon tubes, speakers, shakers, springs and neon glow bright paint. The SHRINKING ROBOT HEADS rocked, rattled, banged and buzzed to the delighted amazement of the Robofest 2 crowd.

The VENUS PROJECT premiered a second interactive musical exhibit, the SONIC SILHOUETTE in which a computer interface tracks the participants' movements as they dance within a defined area. These movements are then mapped into a virtual music matrix, and output to melodic and percussive synthesizers. In this way, a dancer can generate accompaniment to his/her actions in real time.

Modern composite materials and custom computers were now being used in the most advanced robotic devices. The MARK II enhanced cybernetic airship was designed as a platform for artificial intelligence and remote sensing. While the otherThe Robot Groupairships required a pilot on the ground with a radio controlled transmitter, THE MARK II used on-board ultrasonic sonar to gather data about its environment. This data becomes a "map" within THE MARK II's microprocessor control, which enables the airship to navigate autonomously.

PIT BULLS as a species, may have a nasty reputation as cruel and vicious animals. But in Austin, TX, there lives a beast so ferocious and fierce that even the most stout-hearted bull terrier would flee terrorized. The MECHANICAL PIT BULL a nightmarish dog-like contraption some six or so feet long, is built from heavy duty welded and bent pieces of sheet metal. It twists about thrashing its jagged edge legs and jaws, and thick sectioned torso powered by electronics and compressed air. As it moves the metallic sounds of its grinding metal legs and hissing from the compressed gas create an erie atmosphere for this robotic entity. One that no one dares to challenge. No one that is except, Brooks Coleman. Brooks Coleman, an original founding member of The Robot Group is the creator of MECHANICAL PIT BULL. Brooks often wrestles with his creation in dangerous displays of man vs machine. Has the MECHANICAL PIT BULL ever bitten the hand that feeds it? Yes many times, according to Brooks. Brooks used to have a lot more hair.

Varmint is another popular RoboFest attraction. Built by Joe Perez, David Santos and Mark Dommers, VARMINT, is a four legged computerized walking sculpture made of steel and welded metal. It is also powered by compressed air but this one has an on-board computer to control it. VARMINT is capable of taking quite a few steps on its balanced spindley legs and it is the first in a line of robots that will use the walking technique developed by these members. VARMINT also creates quite a ruckus when it moves. Neither of these pets would be welcome in most homes.