GoChess by Particula

[fourthirty]

New smart "self moving" chessboard by Particula, the makers of the GoCube and GoDice:

https://particula-tech.com/gochess/

Appears to be in a pre-Kickstarter phase.

They say their products "bridge the physical experience with the digital space". Unfortunately not a dedicated computer (appears to require a smart device or computer).

I don't know anything about this company. First time hearing of them, but the GoChess ads are all over my social media feeds right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4GWmci9Cxw

The video shows multiple pieces moving at once? I wonder what technology is being used? Hopefully not another Regium Chess scam. The company Particula does appear to have legitimate products, and the GoCube app has many 1.8K positive reviews on the iOS App Store.

Will be interesting to follow.

Self driving pieces regards,
Greg

[alynch4047]

Techstination Interview: Robotic chess? #GoChess at CES from Particula : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYXmeHX-ISA

[anonanist]

The alternative Phantom Chess kickstarter campaign has been beset by delays but is apparently finally ready to ship this June. The new GoChess looks particularly impressive for puzzle freaks like myself with 4 self moving mechanisms. It's a shame they're both phone reliant rather than having processing on board.

I'm still not good enought to beat my old MB Phantom!

[Mr. Spock]

…4 self moving mechanisms…

So there are moving parts inside?
I could imagine a board with a dense grid of coils underneath to move any number of pieces at the same time. The best finish to a game would then be to repell the mated king from its square so that it falls.

[fourthirty]

The Kickstarter campaign launched on May 19, and the company claims the project was funded in 5 minutes, and received $500K USD within 24 hours.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/19 ... escription

As of today (01 June 23), the Kickstarter page states 2,782 backers and over $1M USD pledged.

Under the FAQ question "What's the technology behind GoChess", the response is: "The chessboard has Smart Micro Robots beneath the surface that receives “orders” and move accordingly, transporting the magnetic chess pieces to the specified places."

The "How the Main Works" video towards the bottom of the main page has some additional vague details about Micro Robots. It additionally states "Beneath the sleek and elegant surface of your GoChess, hides the patent-pending robotic mechanism that automatically moves the chess pieces reflecting your opponent's moves."

I spent some time this evening on Google Patents, and didn't have much luck finding this project.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto [どうもありがとうミスターロボット], Himitsu wo shiri tai [秘密を知りたい], regards,
Greg

[fourthirty]

Kickstarter shows over 5,000 backers and over $2M USD in funding. I appears the earliest shipment is May 2024.

Particula posted a demonstration video one month ago showing the micro-robots in action:

https://youtu.be/mb-jmHT6Xz4?t=36

They also posted a "how does the magic work?" video a few weeks ago about the " Fully robotic self-moving pieces":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KTwVEyaSqY

Is is possible this board has will contain four of these autonomous self moving robots? Seems like that would be a very complex solution. How will they stay aligned and avoid collisions? How will they charge?

And, will they also vacuum my floor regards?
Greg

[Steve B]

Kickstarter shows over 5,000 backers and over $2M USD in funding. I appears the earliest shipment is May 2024.

Particula posted a demonstration video one month ago showing the micro-robots in action:

https://youtu.be/mb-jmHT6Xz4?t=36

Hi Greg
actually i lIke this robot..of course the deal killing issue for me is you need a smart phone to operate the robot and chess program thereby violating the definition of a dedicated chess computer
now...
release a version with the program embedded in the board with control buttons to operate the computer and

I'm All In Regards
Steve

[Murat]

Micro robots will play bumper cars. I don't see this project coming to retail.

2 million dollars will give them a nice life in the Bahamas regards.

Murat

[fourthirty]

Hi Greg
actually i lIke this robot..of course the deal killing issue for me is you need a smart phone to operate the robot and chess program thereby violating the definition of a dedicated chess computer
now...
release a version with the program embedded in the board with control buttons to operate the computer and

I'm All In Regards
Steve

It is unfortunate that 95% of all new electronic chess boards being released require a smart phone interface. How many of those companies will eventually drop the iOS/Android app support, thereby resulting in a useless board?

Micro robots will play bumper cars. I don't see this project coming to retail.

2 million dollars will give them a nice life in the Bahamas regards.

Murat

Haha, yes I can see those four robots colliding into each other. That will be a touch challenge to overcome.

The only thing that gives me hope about this project is that the parent company, Particula, seems legitimate.

https://tech.eu/2021/02/10/particula-series-a/

They launched a kickstarter several years ago based on a "smart" Rubik's Cube. It seems to have received very positive reviews (and is still being sold today):

https://www.fastcompany.com/90214848/th ... redesigned

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rubiks ... 1551989382

https://www.amazon.com/GoCube-Connected ... 143&sr=8-3

Bumper car regards,
Greg

[Yarc]

I'm not keen that the GoChess is not a dedicated machine but on the other hand the kid in me likes the uses of small robots moving the pieces. If it works as the demo videos show then it's very slick and way better than my Excalibur Phantom Force which is very noisy and although works, the GoChess is in another league. The video where it topples it's own King is funny, and not seen that from a self moving board before. Maybe the Novag Robot Adversary can do this with it's arm?

Yes, it's another smart board using Stockfish and reliant on an app which I'm not so keen on for the usual reasons. However, I'll just have to switch into the mode of thought that the phone/tablet is a chess module like the King Element, only with much faster processing and hope the app is supported for some time.

Anyway, I'm intrigued enough that ordered one despite it not being a dedicated machine. Never thought I would do that, but rules were made to be broken. Plumped for the 4 robot version so that it can setup positions and make castling moves much faster, unless there are collisions! I'm guessing the robots have sensors to avoid collisions but imagine how busy it could be underneath the board, rush hour comes to mind!

Estimated shipment is March 2024, so whenever I get it will let people know what I think of this smart board.

My dedication to dedicated waivers Regards
Ray

[Yarc]

Estimated shipment is March 2024, so whenever I get it will let people know what I think of this smart board.

That's June 2024 not March!

Regards
Ray

[fourthirty]

Estimated shipment is March 2024, so whenever I get it will let people know what I think of this smart board.

That's June 2024 not March!

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray,

Congrats on your purchase. Please post a review of the unit once received!

Intrigued regards,
Greg

[Yarc]

Hi Ray,

Congrats on your purchase. Please post a review of the unit once received!

Intrigued regards,
Greg

I certainly will do a review, just hope it actually comes to fruition and as good as the video's depict.

Ray