Coinsumer

Update December 14, 2008

Since no one has submitted an entry yet, I'm going to push back the challenge ending date.  I won't give a specific date, but I will give at least a 1 month warning.  Once two robots are entered, that's probably when I will start to wrap this thing up.  And if no one ever enters ... well ... at least it was a fun idea.  :P

Finally, a bot that pays for itself!

The challenge is this: make a piggy bank robot.  I won't make any "rules" in order to allow complete creativity, but here's the basic idea ...

Make a robot that eats coins.  If it isn't fed, the bot gets weaker and weaker, and whines or begs for sustenance.  If the bot isn't fed coins for a few days, it dies.  You being a god amongst robots can revive it of course, but the loss would still be tragic.  Can you deal with a robot's death on your conscience?  I think not.  Better put some pocket change into your savings.

Other than eat coins, you can have it do whatever you want.  Maybe your bot searches the ground for shiny objects when it starts getting hungry.  Maybe it doesn't like the taste of pennies, or poops out dimes.  Maybe it does a little song and dance to earn its meal.  Get creative!!

I'd really love to see entries for this, so I'm offering a prize!!  $10 in US quarters (for use as robot food), mailed with the cheapest possible shipping to your location within a speedy few weeks!  ;)

I'll pick the winner come new year.  If there are not at least 2 entries by December 31, 2008, I'll extend the challenge to whatever seems appropriate.  Winner will be judged based on creativity, originality, and above all the "personality" of your poor, hungry bot.