BattleBots

Getting Involved: Robot Sports Aren’t Just Combat — There’s Something Fun for Everyone

Getting Involved: Robot Sports Aren’t Just Combat — There’s Something Fun for Everyone

David Calkins

By David Calkins

David Calkins

David Calkins is a widely respected robot builder and expert. He has taught robotics and computer engineering at San Francisco State University and various grade schools, is the president of the Robotics Society of America, Founder of the international RoboGames (world's largest robot competition), and has lots of other pedantic titles that no one really cares about.

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From 1997 to 2004, I competed around the world in a number of different robot categories, primarily sumo robots. I also worked a lot of shows (judges are always in demand) while teaching robotics at San Francisco State University. One thing I noticed in that time was not only the variety of robots out there, […]

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The Roboteers: The Real Magic of Fighting Robots? Discovering The Community Love

The Roboteers: The Real Magic of Fighting Robots? Discovering The Community Love

Make: Editors

By Make: Editors

Make: Editors

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The thing about being a robot builder is, well … we’re odd. If you’re thinking about building a robot, well … you’re odd too. But that’s OK! The very best thing about robot events is that they’re entirely populated by weirdos. Every race, religion, gender, political bent, whatever. But everyone in the building really loves […]

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Expect to Be Destroyed

Expect to Be Destroyed

Austin McChord

By Austin McChord

Austin McChord

CEO of Casana, and the founder and former CEO of Datto, Connecticut’s first “unicorn” startup. He is a graduate and trustee of the Rochester Institute of Technolog

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My first experience with combat robotics ended exactly as I expected: in complete destruction. It was 2016. A friend of mine, Leanne Cushing, competes on BattleBots, and she suggested I join her for a combat robotics competition in Massachusetts. Not knowing much of anything about robots in general, or combat robots specifically, I built two bots […]

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Know Your Combat Robots! A Field Guide to Competition Weight Classes and Weapons

Know Your Combat Robots! A Field Guide to Competition Weight Classes and Weapons

Peter Garnache

By Peter Garnache

Peter Garnache

Peter Garnache is a mechanical engineer, combat robot builder, and mentor to high school robotics teams.

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The combat robotics community spreads across the entire world, with major competitions happening on almost every continent. Combat robots are divided into different weight classes based on the robot’s overall weight, and within those classes an amazing number of weapon types are possible. In this guide we’ll introduce you to all of the most important […]

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10 Rules to Win at Robot Combat

David Calkins

By David Calkins

David Calkins

David Calkins is a widely respected robot builder and expert. He has taught robotics and computer engineering at San Francisco State University and various grade schools, is the president of the Robotics Society of America, Founder of the international RoboGames (world's largest robot competition), and has lots of other pedantic titles that no one really cares about.

View more articles by David Calkins

These 10 rules could turn you into a champ.

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