Combat robotics is a sport that has been around for a number
of years. Approximately 20 years ago it started out as a form of Sumo. Two
robots trying to push each other out of an arena or ring. Then, some 10 years
ago, someone got the idea of giving the robots weapons. The sport has grown immensely
and has attracted great public attention and support as it organized into annual competitions.
Competitors build radio controlled armored robots and do battle in a match of
driving skill, design, creativity and coordination.
Combat robots weigh from 2 to over 450 lbs, and commonly include weapons such as
axes, hammers, spinning weapons and flippers, just to name a few. In recent years, events such as BattleBots and Robot Wars have regulated weight and weaponry rules,
and have helped to increase the popularity of the sport.
Some tournaments offer prize money that ranges into the thousands of dollars. Prize money has been as high as $5000 for first place winners in some competitions. As the sport continues to grow, the prize money offered continues to grow.
Even though the cash is always nice, it is not the reason most competitors become involved. Most will tell you that the do it for the fun, the challenge, and the satisfaction they get from the sport.
Competitors are not your stereotypical engineer, competitors range from engineers to students, from artists to lawyers, you name it, they have all built combat robots. Ages range from 12 year olds with competition worthy robots to seniors. The variety of competitors and builders continues to growing all the time. No special education or physical ability is needed for this, that is part of what has attracted such attention, competition is open to anyone and everyone.
Yes, it is expensive. A typical heavy weight (220 lb) combat robot will cost $2000 to $3000 using off the shelf components. Some competitors reduce the cost by using components such as modified car starter motors, cordless drill motors and so on. Searching through salvage yards and surplus stores can also significantly reduce the cost of building a combat robot. Other competitors will form teams with friends who share the cost. However, when compared to the cost of many other sports or activities, the cost seems very reasonable. Besides, when was the last time you won a $1000 because you smashed something?
Don't be intimidated because you spent only $1000 to build your combat robot. Just because someone spent $15,000 or $20,000 to build their robot, does not guarantee that they will win. Only that it will hurt more when they loose.
Most combat robots take from 3 to 6 months to build, some have taken as little as
a weekend and others have taken a couple of years. It all depends on how complex you want it to be and how well you expect it to
perform. Of course, the simpler the robot the less time it takes. Be aware that simple robots,
tend to do very well in the arena. The more complex your design the more things
that can go wrong. For your first robot, keep it simple, take your time, do
it right, and you'll be glad you did.
For your first combat robot, the most important thing is to keep it simple. Come up with a design. Use your imagination. Be creative, but remember the more complicated it is, the heavier it will be, and the more it will cost.
Make sure that what you want is going to be technically and financially possible. Keep in mind what technology exists today, and the weight class you are entering. Download the technical regulations and familiarize yourself with what is and is not allowed at the tournament you are planning to compete in. Remember that every time you add something to your robot, it will take up weight, it takes up space, and it makes the whole thing more complex. The more complex, the more likely you may miss something important.
Now that you've decided on what you want, draw it! Build it on paper or on your computer. You
will probably find things that won't work. And now is the time to find out what
won't work before you buy your parts! Try building a prototype. Make it out of
plastic, cardboard boxes, styrofoam or anything else that seems to work. It will give
you a good idea of how things should fit together.
No one design seems to work best. Every design has its strengths and
weaknesses. There are some things to keep in mind. Can your design recover from
being flipped over, or can it be driven upside down? If not, it may be a vulnerability.
Are the electronics well protected? Can it withstand impacts from all sides
including the bottom.
Start early! Give yourself 6 or 7 months to design and build. Starting
early gives you time to make changes and to look for potential problems and
weaknesses. This will also give you time to do one of the most important things,
practice driving your robot. Practice as much as you can find time for. I
put my money on the good driver versus the bad driver every time.
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Is WBX a member of the Robot Fighting League (RFL)?
War-Bots Xtreme is a full member of the Robot Fighting League (RFL). Full membership was granted after the successful completion of the first tournament. We support the RFL and its mission to create a standard set of technical regulations and help build the combat robotics community. WBX will be using the RFL technical rule set, and will be using the RFL as a resource to help us build WBX into a tournament that benefits competitors and is worthy of the support that the RFL provides.