Combat Robotics is a sport that involves builders using all aspects of STEM to build robots that are capable of combat with one another. The goal is simple: in a match that lasts less than three minutes, disable your opponent through a knockout or by judge's decision. Robots can range from as light as 150 gram "fairyweights" to 340 pound "superheavyweights". I became interested after being introduced to the TV show "Battlebots" by my dad during my freshman year of high school.
I have recently completed a replica of the 2018 BattleBots entry, "Tombstone". It is named "Tombclone".
The frame is be made out 1/2" diameter steel tubing.
The two drive motors are made of two of these modified drill motors I got for 5$ at a flea market.
I used this project as an opporunity to learn stick welding and other metalworking techniques.
The basic shape of the frame completed. All the electronics and other hardware need mounting points, but the basic shape is done. Hand for scale.
The completed robot, weighing in at 30 pounds. It has a three-foot wooden blade. Above is what it did to a piece of drywall. It is also very fast. See the video below for a drive test!
An early driving test of Tombclone, without panelling or a blade. It's zippy!
Here's an example of a combat robot match from the TV show "BattleBots". Each of the two robots you see weigh 250 pounds.