(by 3 people)
A few years ago a show called Battlebots aired on Comedy Central. Radio Controlled fighting machines did battle in a sealed arena. The show was a minor hit (for a time) and the sport of Combat Robotics poked its nose into the mainstream. After a while, the show's success dried up, but the robots remained. They're still out there, they're still fighting. In fact, the machines of today are dramatically more dangerous and destructive than anything that was shown on TV.
Combat Robots are categorized by weightclass, ranging from 150 grams to the mammoth 340lb machines seen on TV. There are dozens of events held each year, all over North America, in all the weightclasses.
Links that Tear Titanium Like Tissue Paper
- Robot Fighting League
- A national organization created to support the sport of robotic combat. The RFL provides rules and support to combat robot event organizers. In addition, all RFL member events qualify the winning machines for the RFL nationals, held once a year.
- The Builders Database
- If you want to know where robotic events are happening, look no further. Nearly all events in North America use this massive database to schedule events and handle registration. Included with the events are descriptions and photos of most of the machines.
- Bot Rank
- The results of nearly every robot combat event ever held is here. Those results are crunched into the best ranking system the sport has ever seen. There are two lists. One is for all time, the other the last 18 months. While technically unofficial, this is the one ranking competitors take seriously.
- Robot Fighting League Delphi Forum
- While there are many forums discussing robotic combat, this is the big one. You will need to join Delphi to gain access, but membership is free and absolutely worthwhile. The forum is geared towards builders, and potential builders, so keep that in mind if you post.
- Antwieght Robot Delphi Forum
- Originally started to support the 1 pound "Antweight" class, this forum covers all the smallest weightclasses including: 150 grams, 1 pound, 3 pound, and 6 pound robots. These machines are the safest and most affordable way to get into combat robotics. Beginners are expected and welcome on this forum. Again, you'll need to join Delphi to gain access. Again, it's totally free.
- Robotic Combat Videos
- Shot at the 2004 RFL Nationals, courtesy of Team Mad Overlord. If you like what you see, they work with AnimEigo producing the Metal Munching Maniacs series of DVDs.
Video Mayhem (on YouTube!)
I loved that show, what happened to it? It's on the Internet!
Ziggy's Best-of ... so far April 2007 - Battlebots Fight
Highlights from ziggy matches to date These are the big boys - 340 lb weight class. Of a 340 pound fighting weight Ziggy is comprised of 120 lbs of Titanium and delivers 7000+ lbs of explosive thrust through the Titanium 4lipping arm NEXT EVENT: RoboGames www.robogames.net June 2007
Runtime: 4:24 | 10832 views | 34 Comments
Can I build this?
Yes, you can.
Local Damage
- Combots
- Region - California
Combots holds the largest events in the US, including the Combots Cup and the Robot Fighting League Nationals. If you want to see the robots that fought on TV (or what's left of them) this is where you look.
Combots holds events for all weight classes, up to 340lbs. - WAR - Western Allied Robotics
- Region - Northwest United States and Southwest Canada.
WAR events range from 1 pound to 12 pound robotic combat events. - NERC - North East Robotics Club
- Region - Northeastern United States
NERC has held events for all weight classes, but they're known for their 12lb to 30lb events, which are some of the best in the country. - SECR - South Eastern Combat Robotcs
- Region - Southeastern United States: Louisiana, Texas
SECR holds events for machines up to 220 pounds! - Combat Robot Frappr
- Frappr stands for "Friend Mapper" Look here to see where many individual combat robot builders are located, world wide. It's likely there are more nearby than you expected. (Give this page a few moments to load.)
- Robot Rebellion - SouthWest US
- Combat Robot events held in Texas, including full shows at Mike's Hobby Shop in Carrolton, TX.
You know you want to build one
- The Robot Marketplace
- If you want to build a combat robot of any size, everything you need is right here. Everything.
- BaneBots
- A new store with great prices on parts you can't find anywhere else.
- Lynxmotion - Motors
- While they specilize in non-combat hobby robotics, many of the motors sold by Lynxmotion are quite suitable for combat in the smaller (6lb and under) weight classes.
- Robotic Power Solutions
- You need batteries. These guys sell the best. No, they're not cheap. You don't want cheap.
- BattleKits
- The builder of the World Champion Battlebot, BioHazard is now producing a combat robot chassis kit.
- Rolling Thunder Robot Kits
- Three different kits, a 12lb, a 30lb, and one designed for a new robotic sport called "Bot Hockey". These kits are based on a battle-proven design.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Gearheads : The Turbulent Rise of Robotic Sports
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 07/25/2008)
Kickin' Bot: An Illustrated Guide to Building Combat Robots (ExtremeTech)
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/25/2008)
Build Your Own Combat Robot
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 07/25/2008)
Metal Munching Maniacs - 2003 Nationals
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/25/2008)
