IIT Bombay.s International Robotics Competition.

[rakesh khatri]

This is an invitation for SURVIVOR - The International Challenge, a part of TECHFEST 2005.

Techfest is the science and technology festival of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The annual fest held in January has the clear-cut distinction of being the largest fest of its kind in the entirety of Asia. Having gone international from 2004, it now strives to be reckoned among the best in the world. Techfest invites participants from all over the world to compete in SURVIVOR, an ultimate robotics competition.

The problem statement involves making a robot which goes up an incline to a platform 1 meter high. The machine then has to jump down from the platform and play a strategy game based on points. Then the machine has to complete an autonomous stage involving some line following.

All this is not without any rewards.

- USD 2500 as prize money for SURVIVOR.

- Return airfare for two members of few select teams from outside India who qualify for the event.

There are loads more to participate, explore and win at Techfest 2005.For more information on SURVIVOR and detailed problem statement, visit

For detailed information package and other queries mail to [e-mail].

Awaiting your positive response,

[Ray Kinzler]

First, what does this have to do with woodworking?

Secondly, IIT is nothing but a technical school; no more, no less.

Hoo-boy! $2,500. That would pay for precious little here in the US but, of course, that is a year's salary there in India.

Let me tell you, I am currently working with several dozen of the finest the IIT has to offer and all I can say is "Wow! What an experience!" They are taught to follow a check list very well and they DO--to the death. No veering for common sense at all. No room for negotiation. No brainstorming. It's 1,000-mph right into a brick wall if the 'plan' was to go into it. They can do the basics but they can't THINK!

I am sure there are a number of 'smart' people who graduate from any of the IIT's but when you have the vast number of people India has, statistically speaking, there will be a certain number who rise to the top. But the statistics are NOT any better than from any university.

By the way, you IT people out there, when you see in a want ad that the prospecive employer wants an IIT graduate, it is Indian lingo that they will be hiring another Indian and not you, so don't even attempt to apply. Reverse discrimination at its finest.

Sorry group--this one hit too close to home.

[rakesh khatri]

This is an invitation for SURVIVOR - The International Challenge, a part of TECHFEST 2005.

Techfest is the science and technology festival of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The annual fest held in January has the clear-cut distinction of being the largest fest of its kind in the entirety of Asia. Having gone international from 2004, it now strives to be reckoned among the best in the world. Techfest invites participants from all over the world to compete in SURVIVOR, an ultimate robotics competition.

The problem statement involves making a robot which goes up an incline to a platform 1 meter high. The machine then has to jump down from the platform and play a strategy game based on points. Then the machine has to complete an autonomous stage involving some line following.

All this is not without any rewards.

- USD 2500 as prize money for SURVIVOR.

- Return airfare for two members of few select teams from outside India who qualify for the event.

There are loads more to participate, explore and win at Techfest 2005.For more information on SURVIVOR and detailed problem statement, visit

For detailed information package and other queries mail to [e-mail].

Awaiting your positive response,

[Ray Kinzler]

Here we go again--even after a personal reply saying you were sorry you 'blundered' and sent this to a woodworking group by mistake.

All you did was follow your checklist again.

Quit the spam, rakesh.