BattleBots

BattleBots is a series of fight-to-the-death robot combat matches. Two radio-controlled robots battle against each other in a Lexan enclosed arena called the Battlebox. The arena contains hazards to make navigation more difficult in order to keep the bots towards the center (and to make the fight more interesting).

There are six different types of hazards. The two popular are the Pulverizer: a heavy mallet which relentlessly pounds the bots if they get too close. The Killsaws; modules of four, twenty-inch diameter carbide tipped sawblades which raise from the bottom of the floor cutting the undersides of the bots and launching them into the air.

The robots are built under strict guidelines from BattleBots and must comply with and pass safety inspections in order to compete.

The two competitors attempt to either score damage points or incapacitate their opponent using its weapons and/or brute force.

Each match lasts three minutes or until one of the robots is immobile and is counted out.

BattleBots rules allow for four different weight classes.

Lightweight

Middleweight

Heavyweight

Super Heavyweight

25 to 60 lbs.

60 to 120 lbs.

120 to 220 lbs.

220 to 340 lbs.

Most robots are powered either electrically or via internal combustion engines. Most are either wheeled, or use tank-like treads. The majority of bots utilize tank style steering (Using separate motors on each side which propel it forward or in reverse, a combination of motor direction & speed controls turning.). There are a few basic combat robot types determined by the type of weapon or fighting tactic used. Some combat robots don't fit into either of the preceeding types or they employ combinations of the various types/weapons.

Pusher/Wedge:

This type of bot usually has no active weapons and relies on its strength and/or driving technique to push its opponent into the hazards in order to cause damage. Often push bots are wedge shaped enabling them to get underneath and lift their opponent. Some pushers have plows, spiked weapons or pneumatic rams on the front of their bodies to cause more damage to their opponents!

Double Agent (MW) courtesy of Team Diginati.

El Diablo (MW) courtesy of Team Diablo.

Grabber/Pincher/Crusher:

Some robot types use mechanical or hydraulic arms or grippers which grab the opponent and crush, pierce, or just latch on and take it to the hazards!

Complete Control (MW) courtesy of Automatum Technologies.

Jaws of Death (SHW) courtesy of Operation Boilermaker.

Flippers:

Bots which employ mechanical or pneumatic weapons are termed Flippers. They usually have a single lifting arm which, when actuated can be capable of flipping its opponent with hopes of causing damage from the impact, sending them into the hazards or incapacitating them if the bot is non-invertible (unable to operate upside down). Some flippers are capable of lifting over three hundred pounds and bots have been thrown higher than six feet in the air!

TORO (SHW) courtesy of inertia-labs.com.

Biohazard (HW) courtesy of Team Biohazard.

Thwack Bots:

Thwack bots are robots that use mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic arms which smash their opponents with hammers, picks, axes, baseball bats or anything heavy. They attempt to use their weapons to mercilessly pulverize their opponent into submission!

Darkness (MW) courtesy of Team Hardcore Robotics.

Spinners:

Spinners are usually either of two types. Full body rotating, where the entire robot spins, causing damage by slamming its rotating mass into its opponent and digging into it with hardened spikes or teeth. Kinetic weapon spinners employ a weapon that spins on either the horizontal or vertical axis (usually powered by motors other than the drive motors). The spinning component may be either a disk, sawblade, spikes or hammers, metal bars or a combination of rotating components. Spinners are capable of inflicting major damage on an opponent and often bot parts are seen flying around the BattleBox!

M.O.E (HW) courtesy of Team Marvel Of Engineering

Hazard (MW) courtesy of Team Hazard.

Moebius (MW) courtesy of Team DaVinci

Safety:

As stated previouly, safety is an important consideration in every aspect of BattleBots. Electrifying weapons, projectiles, explosives, liquids and entanglement devices are not permitted. Bots must adhere to strict rules and guidelines and must pass saftey inspections to ensure that they meet the guidelines. Building a BattleBot can be dangerous but if common sense and proper precautions are used it can be a very rewarding and educational experience.

For more information check out these sites:

BattleBots official site: www:battlebots.com

Comedy Central BattleBot site: www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/battlebots/

History of Combat Robotics: www.robotcombat.com/history.html

You may be asking yourself. Why would anyone want to spend the time, money and effort required to build a combat robot. The answers will be different for each builder. Here are a few of the reasons you might hear.

They want to see if they can build a robot capable of inflicting major damage.

They enjoy making things (if it gets smashed you get to make it again).

They like to compete in sports, but aren't athletic.

You need to be semi-intelligent, mechanically inclined (idiots need not apply).

They enjoy the camaraderie of intelligent, mechanically inclined people.

The sound of motors, engines and crunching metal boils the blood in their veins.

The potential to get on TV for something really cool.

Cash prizes.

They could win!

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