Category: Combat Robotics

COVID completely shut down combat robotics. Groups totally disappeared for a while. Some never restarted. But it’s hard to keep a good thing down and popularity is rising. But why are we ignoring the spectators?

Beginnings and a Temporary Shut-Down

The BattleBots and Robot Wars television shows introduced millions to combat robotics, but the true growth of the sport came from what happened off-camera: the explosion of smaller weight classes such as antweights (1 lb) and beetleweights (3 lb). These compact categories did more than just shrink the scale of the bots — they radically lowered the barriers of participating, making the sport accessible to students, hobbyists, and new builders around the world.

The sport was just gaining traction when COVID shut everything down. The post-COVID resurgence of combat robotics is nothing short of inspiring. After a period of uncertainty, local and regional groups and events are popping up again, with builders eager to push technical boundaries. Yet as events rebuild, there’s a recurring and worrying oversight: we’re still not designing combat robotics events with spectators in mind.

It’s a missed opportunity that could stunt the growth of the sport — again.

The Problem: Builders-Only Mindset

Many events today are understandably builder-centric. They’re meant to be informal, low-stakes environments for teams to test new designs, compete against their peers, and troubleshoot in real time. That’s fine — but not at the cost of ignoring the spectator experience entirely.

Too often, events are held in isolated venues with poor visibility, muffled sound, no commentary, and little to no schedule transparency. To a newcomer — a potential fan, sponsor, or future builder — it’s almost impossible to understand what’s happening, let alone stay engaged.

When someone’s first experience of combat robotics is standing behind a barricade with no idea which bot is which, or worse – little or poor view of the action, you’ve lost them. Maybe forever.

An Event to Remember – Almost

At a tournament I recently attended, the event was well planned for the participants. A large area was chosen for the pits. The action in the arena was even live streamed back to the pit area. It was a great event for builders.

Some thought was given to spectators as play-by-play commentary was provided, but not enough of chairs were available for those wanting to watch the action. Easily, twice that number were standing, stacked on both sides of the seating area, straining to just get a glimpse of the fighting robots. If that was not bad enough, the arena was set up where spectators were only on one side, restricting the number of “front row” seating.

I tried catching as much action as I could, standing in one of the groups on the side. That’s my fault as I arrived late, but after 30 minutes I become frustrated and fell back to the area behind the seats with no view whatsoever of what was going on in the arenas. It was there I started crowd watching. I saw the frustration on many faces, just wanting to see the scrapping bots. Many folks came into the building, only to leave fifteen minutes later after figuring out a clear view to the arenas was not easily obtained. How many potential future bot builders or sponcers were in that group?

After mid day, many of the spectators had cleared out. The seating area was half-full (or half-empty, depending on your mindset). Probably, those remaining were family and friends of the competitors. Those that came to see what this robot combat stuff was all about had left, several probably frustrated by their experience. Thank goodness spectators were not charged to watch.

Now, every event would love to have a problem of overflowing attendance outpacing planning. But too many are planned with just the competition in mind only. If the sport is going to continue to gain momentum, more thought has to be given to spectators.

Why We Must Strive to Develop an Audience?

Combat robotics isn’t just about the battles. it’s about storytelling, innovation, grit, and spectacle. If we want to grow the sport, we can’t treat audience engagement as a “nice to have.” Fancy arena lighting with high-tech timing displays are great, but it doesn’t matter if all the folks can’t see it.

Spectators bring revenue. Whether it’s potential ticket sales, merch, or sponsors — eyeballs are currency. And I don’t know of a combat robotics group in the country that has “too many” resources. Some are fighting to get enough cash just to build an arena or put on a bare-bones tournament. Paying more attention to spectatorship can provide the funds needed to go from a gathering to an event.

Audience members can become future builders. Today’s wide-eyed kid is tomorrow’s driver or tech lead. Even older fans (such as myself) can be inspired by the excitement at a tournament to where they want to take part in the fun. It’s human nature. And as competitors leave the sport for whatever reason, we need new blood to keep the sport rolling.

Also, spectators attract local and regional support. Community interest can lead to partnerships and media coverage which is essential for continued growth.

Least, but certainly not last, there’s noting like a cheering crowd to elevate the matches. Even a low-stakes scrimmage feels more meaningful when a crowd is into it. Vocal crowds can cause any event to be a more memorable experience.

Solutions Aren’t Hard — They’re Just Ignored

I get it – some small groups just don’t have the resources needed for a fancy production. But It doesn’t take a Hollywood budget to make events more spectator-friendly.

Let’s Start with:

• Commentary. Basic play-by-play keeps viewers engaged and informed. The larger events I have attended usually have provided an announcer, but smaller events tend to overlook this detail.
• Live scheduling boards. A cheap TV showing match times and/or brackets makes a huge difference. Many events provide this feed to the participants, but spectators are left out in the cold. We need to keep the spectators engaged and informed.
• Team intros and bot profiles. A program with a little info on the registered bots and builder bios would give the crowd someone to root for.
• Live stream onto a screen for all to easily see, especially if the event is seat-challenged. If you can’t give a clear view for spectators, at least get eyes on a screen.

Of course, the above costs money. But I guarantee people would pay a small fee to watch combat robotics if they are provided access to the action. And the probability of bringing friends to the next event is high.

Time to Act

Combat robotics is uniquely positioned at the intersection of education, entertainment, and engineering. But if we keep hiding the sport behind garage doors and warehouse walls, it will never reach its potential.

Tournaments shouldn’t be just about bots in an arena — they should create audiences that care. But they won’t care if they are not provided all the information.

Let’s stop treating spectators as an afterthought. If we want to grow combat robotics sustainably, we need to develop events that cause people to love the sport. To do that they have to see and enjoy the experience. If we can do that, the sky is the limit for combat robotics.

---

Want more tips for combat robotics electronics, construction, or tournament prep? Subscribe to my newsletter or leave your questions in the comments!

Check out more info on combat robotics in my Knowledge Base articles.

Antweight robots—those fierce little bot shredders weighing just 1 pound (454 grams)—may be small, but regardless of weaponry, piloting one effectively will determine how well you do in a tournament. Whether you’re entering your first local tournament or eyeing national-level competition, sharpening your driving skills can be the difference between a quick loss and a match-winning hit. Exercises for robot control will help you get there.

In this post, I’ll cover the best training methods and driving exercises to improve your robot control, situational awareness, and combat instincts.

Note: these methods for training for control apply to bots in higher weight categories also, but a stronger test box will be needed for safety.

Why Driving Skills Matter More Than Power

No matter how destructive your weapon is, poor driving will expose your bot to attacks and make your weapon useless. Good drivers:

• Maintain positional control over opponents
• Capitalize on openings quickly
• Avoid arena hazards and traps
• Stay calm and recover from awkward situations

Driving often decides matches more than weapon strength, especially in pushers, wedges, or control bots.

Step 1: Build a Practice Arena

To train effectively, set up a safe and controlled area:

• Size: At least 3×3 feet; more if possible.
• Boundaries: Use wood, Polycarbonates, or foam boards (no weapons) to simulate arena walls.
• Flooring: Practice on the same surface as competition (usually plywood, HDPE, or steel)
• Optional: Add hazards like ramps, small pits (covered for safety), or movable objects to simulate match conditions.
• Important: A fully-inclosed test box is highly recommended for antweights with weapons.

Important: higher weight categories will require a stronger test box for safety.

Great YouTube video from Iowa Robot Fighting on building a test box.

Step 2: Basic Driving Exercises

Start with fundamental drills to develop muscle memory and stick precision. Here are 5 tried-and-true exercises:

Figure Eight Drill

• Set up two cups (weighted solo cups work well) or cones about 2 feet apart.
• Drive in a figure eight around them, both directions.
• Focus on smooth transitions and speed control.

Box Drill

• Drive in a square around four marked corners.
• At each corner, stop completely and rotate 90 degrees.
• Builds cornering accuracy and start-stop control.

Centering Drill

• Practice quickly positioning your bot to the center of a marked circle or square.
• Helps with spatial awareness and target engagement.

Reverse Control

• Practice driving backward while maintaining orientation.
• Helps you regain control when flipped or disoriented in matches.

Push & Pin

• Push an object (like a brick or a mini bot) across the arena into a corner.
• Teaches engagement control and how to trap opponents without oversteering.

Step 3: Simulate Combat Scenarios

Once you’ve nailed the basics, introduce simulated sparring:

Solo Sparring Scenarios:

• Dodge an Invisible Opponent: Imagine an attacker and practice dodging and repositioning.
• Timed Pin & Retreat: Drive up to a wall, “pin” for 10 seconds, then retreat cleanly.
• Obstacle Course: Set up blocks and hazards to simulate chaos during combat.

Bot vs Bot Sparring:

If you have a friend with a combat bot who wants to get better too, invite him/her over for mini-matches:

• Run short 30-second matches focused on control, not damage.
• Try different driving styles: aggression, evasion, baiting.
• Film and review matches to spot over-corrections or hesitation.

Step 4: Fine-Tuning Your Control Setup

Even the best drivers struggle with poor controls. Here are some tips:

• Tune your transmitter rates and expo: Start with 30% exponential on throttle and turn, then tweak for responsiveness.
• Consider dual-stick vs single-stick driving: Some drivers prefer tank controls (dual-stick), others arcade (single-stick).
• Use throttle curves or mixing to smooth out fast acceleration or twitchy turning.

Step 5: Mental Training and Match Preparation

• Visualization: Mentally run through combat scenarios before matches.
• Focus drills: Practice while distracted (music, noise) to simulate match nerves.
• Stay calm after flips or weapon failures: Practice “worst-case” drills to stay composed.

Final Thoughts

Mastering an antweight combat robot takes repetition, discipline, and strategic thinking. A well-driven bot will often outlast and outsmart a poorly piloted powerhouse. Practice regularly, analyze your driving like an athlete, and you’ll soon be commanding the arena like a pro.

Whether you’re a builder, a battler, or both—train like it’s a sport, and your results will show it.

---

Want more tips for combat robotics electronics, construction, or tournament prep? Subscribe to my newsletter or leave your questions in the comments!

Check out more info on rocketry in my Knowledge Base articles.

In combat robotics, traction isn’t just about speed—it’s about control, pushing power, and positioning. Whether you’re building a wedge bot, a vertical spinner, or especially a control-bot, effective traction can be the edge that wins fights.

Drivetrain Traction in Antweights

Traction is even more important with antweights (under 1 lb or 150g) than in heavier classes. Antweights have very little weight pressing down on their wheels, which naturally reduces the grip (normal force × friction coefficient). Since they can’t rely on mass for traction, optimizing wheel design and material becomes more critical. Better control and pushing power will win matches.

Weapons can also be effected by drivetrain traction. Antweights often use powerful weapons relative to their size (like spinning discs). If they don’t have enough traction, firing the weapon can spin the whole bot or cause it to flip. Traction helps stabilize the bot during these moments.

In this post, I’ll break down the best materials, design strategies, and tips to get the most grip for your 1-pound shredding machine.

Understanding Traction in Combat Robotics

Traction is the friction between your robot’s wheels (or tracks) and the arena floor. Better traction means:

• More pushing force (better shoving and defense)
• Improved maneuverability
• Faster acceleration without slipping
• Greater stability under weapon recoil

Wheel Material: Grip Starts Here

The choice of tire material makes a massive difference. Popular antweight traction materials include:

• Silicone Rubber (e.g., poured wheels): Offers high grip and shock absorption. Custom pouring with Shore 20A–40A silicone yields excellent performance.
• Foam Rubber (e.g., Lite Flite tires): Lightweight and decent grip but may compress under load.
• 3D-Printed TPU: Flexible and customizable, but grip varies by TPU brand and print settings.
• Neoprene or Latex O-Rings: Often used on plastic hubs for quick, grippy wheels.

If you happen to have access to a durometer tester (a meter that measures the hardness of materials, particularly rubber and plastic), select rubber compounds in the softer Shore A scale (20A–40A) for ideal traction.

Tread Design: Smooth vs. Patterned

While smooth tires offer maximum surface contact, patterned treads can perform better on dusty or inconsistent arena floors. Try different styles:

• Siped treads: Fine cuts to increase flexibility. These sipes, or slits, work by creating more biting edges that can grip the arena floor surface better. 
• Chevron/V patterns: Improve grip during directional changes
• Custom-cut foam or rubber inserts: Offer tailored performance for your drivetrain

Avoid overly aggressive treads, which can shred or delaminate in battle.

Wheel Size and Contact Patch

• Larger diameter wheels give better top speed and ground clearance.
• Wider wheels increase the contact patch, distributing weight and improving grip—but add weight and reduce turning agility.

Find your sweet spot: Many builders use 1.5”–2” diameter wheels with 0.5”–0.75” width.

Weight Distribution and Downforce

Even the grippiest wheels are useless if they don’t have weight over them.

• Balance your bot so that drive wheels carry the majority of the weight.
• For wedge bots, slightly biasing weight rearward increases forward traction for pushing.
• Add low-slung armor or underbody mass to increase normal force without raising the center of gravity.

In some cases, magnets can be used to add downforce if the arena floor is ferromagnetic—though that’s not legal in all competitions. Always check with tournament organizers to see if magnets are legal in their competition.

Hub Design and Tire Retention

Nothing kills traction faster than a slipping tire. Ensure your wheels are:

• Firmly bonded or press-fit to the hubs
• Using adhesives like CA glue or rubber cement for poured silicone. Bonding tape (glue on a roll) is another excellent choice for tire adhesive.
• Designed with retention lips or grooves for O-ring style tires

For high-traction setups, screw-retained or over-molded hubs can survive spinner hits without losing their tires.

Maintenance and Surface Prep

• Clean your wheels before each match—dust and debris kill traction.
• Use rubbing alcohol or silicone-safe degreasers to restore grip.
• Rotate tires if one side gets worn more than the other.

Also, inspect for chunking, warping, or bonding failures between matches.

Final Thoughts

In a weight class where every gram counts and a few inches of pushing can mean victory, traction isn’t just a detail—it’s a indispensable factor. By focusing on high-quality materials, smart wheel geometry, and proper bot balance, you can dramatically improve your bot’s competitive edge.

---

Check out more info on combat robotics on my Knowledge Base page.

Peter Garnache, owner/operator of Repeat Robotics and a board member of Texas Robot Combat, started building robots during his time in college. While attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, he entered only one competition, the Georgia Tech 20th Anniversary Competition in which he placed 2nd overall with a 3lb robot called M.A.D.

After graduation he started his own team, Repeat Robotics, which has fielded 30+ robots in weight classes from farieweights (150g) to hobbieweights (12lbs). He also competed on BattleBots Season 7 with rookie robot Horizon.

Peter has been building his own robots for about five years years now. During the last year, Peter has found success around the world, winning 2nd place in the International Robot Contest in Seoul, South Korea with his robot Agitation, as well as winning the 3lb division at the NHRL (National Havoc Robot League) world championships this year with his partner Ryan Lu and their robot Repeater.

Three years ago Peter started Repeat Robotics which produces and markets parts and kits for combat robotics.

Peter was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions about Repeat Robotics, Texas Combat Robotics and combat robotics in general.

RH: Tell me about Repeat Robotics.

Peter Garnache:  Repeat Robotics started out as my robot combat team. Three years ago I decided to try making a batch of brushless gearmotors for 1lb robots. I wanted to try to make high quality drive systems more accessible. One thing led to another and I kept expanding and making new products.

Now I have over 100 different custom built products. Everything from custom drive motors, to durable hubmotor setups, to wheel hubs and weapon systems. I’ve made custom speed controllers and competitive 1lb and 3lb kit robots. Anything you need to build a robot, whether its your first or your fourteenth, you can find on the Repeat Robotics website. 

RH: How did you get involved with the Texas Robot Combat organization?

PG:  I reached out to Brady Davis to ask about re-starting robot combat in Texas after Covid. When everything closed down, TRC decided to stop holding events. They didn’t start back up again until Ryan Lu and I reached out and joined the team. One thing led to another and I found myself helping run events. 

RH: Any details you can give me about the next TRC event?

PG: Our next event, Robot Rodeo, will be on Saturday, May 24th, (2025) at REV Robotics HQ in Carrollton, Texas. The event will host up to 72 robots in three weight classes: Antweight (1lb), Plastic Antweight (1lb) and Beetleweight (3lb). We will be fighting all day! You can find more information at robotcombatevents.com. 

RH: What is the competition structure at the TRC events?

PG: We usually run three weight classes. 1lb, 1lb plastic, and 3lb robots. Our tournament structure runs through three rounds of qualifying matches where bots are matched up according to their records, then into a single elimination bracket to determine the top finishers. 

RH: For a newbie attending, and possibly participating in their first combat robotics event, what is your best advice?

PG: Talk to everyone you can. Builders are super nice and have tons of information and advice they’d love to share with you. We all were a beginner once, and we all want to see this sport grow larger and larger. 

RH: From what you have noticed at the different competitions you attend, what are a few of the radios are being used for combat robotics.

PG: My personal recommendations are the RadioMaster Pocket as a beginner radio. The RadioMaster MT12 is also very popular for people who prefer a pistol grip style radio. 

With plastic antweights, what is the best 3D printer filament to use?

PG: I personally like black Duramic PLA+ for weapons and any color of either Polymaker Polymax PLA+ or Overture Super PLA+ for everything else. 

Any special 3D printing techniques that you use when printing antweights?

PG: I like to design parts with dovetails to mechanically lock them together. Also, printing your weapons with 5-15 walls and 100 floor/ceilings makes a stronger solid weapon than using 100% infill. 

RH: For those just getting started with 3D printing, will you explain 5-15 walls and 100 floor/ceilings.

PG: 5–15 walls means you’re printing 5 to 15 vertical outer layers around the perimeter of your weapon, which is especially useful for impact resistance and overall strength, as thicker walls can take more abuse.

100 floor/ceilings refers to 100 layers printed on the top and bottom of your model.That’s an extreme number and used for solid parts.

Setting the infill to 100% solid can lead to over-extrusion and actually lower the strength, where printing the body with all top and bottom layers ends up stronger. 

RH: What are current trends in combat robotics that you have noticed.

PG: The abundance of off the shelf parts designed for combat means bots high harder and harder and are more reliable than ever. Brushless motors are also making fights faster than ever before. So results are leaning more and more on hyper-optimizing designs and driver skill in critical times. 

RH: At the last event I attended, I didn’t see any flippers. Was that unusual or are flippers just not competitive with the modern bots?

PG: It’s a lot harder to win with a flipper bot. Most bots can self-right themselves, and building a bot to take the damage that some of the spinners can dish out is a really challenging task. Flippers can still win fights and knock out opponents, it’s just way easier to win with a spinner as they’ve gotten easier to build with the parts available now. 

RH: I don’t see a lot of competitions offering a sumo robotics division. Have you seen any interest in sumo in our area (north Texas)?

PG: We haven’t investigated sumo in the north Texas area, but another group North Texas Bot Battles has a 1lb sportsman division that is basically sumo. 

RH: Tell me about some of the bots that you have built and how they have done.

PG: A few of my recent bots include:

• Agitation: 1lb with a record of 21-2 over five events with three 1st place finishes and a 2nd place finish in Seoul.
• Knuckle Sandwich: 3lb with a record of 24-6 over seven events with 2 1st place finishes (including one at NHRL) and a 3rd place in the NHRL world championships.
• Repeater: 3lb with a record of 22-5 over six events with two 1st place finishes including 1st place in the NHRL world championships (Co-built robot with Ryan Lu, another TRC officer).

RH: What is your best advice to someone just getting into combat robotics?

PG: Go to an event as a spectator and chat with some builders about their robots. Be open to their suggestions. Build a simple first robot (just a two wheel drive wedge) and take it to an event. A first bot is better done than perfect. 

RH: In your opinion, what is the future of combat robotics?

PG: I think there is a big space in the future for creative bot designs. Bots like hammer saw or big wheel bots are hard opponents for meta bots to plan for and fight against. 

RH: Can you explain what “meta bots” are?

PG: “Meta” robots refers to four wheel drive vertical spinners, whether disk or beater bar. Those styles of robots have been pretty dominant in the last few years. 

RH: I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to this interview. You gave us some great insight into combat robotics. I’ll see you at a future TRC event.

Check out more info on combat robotics on my Knowledge Base page.

Brady Davis has been in the sport of combat robotics for over 25 years. He has competed in just about all of the weight divisions, including 340lb, 320lb, 250lb, 120lb, 60lb, 30lb, 3lb, 1lb, & 150g. He currently serves as club officer and event organizer of Texas Robot Combat in the DFW area. He is also a past president of the organization. In the past, he has served as president of the Southwestern Association of Robotic Combat and the Dallas Area Robotic Combat groups.

Some of the bots he has been involved with include:

• BattleBots Classic super heavyweight Steel Reign.
• BattleBots Modern heavyweight SubZero, Texas Twister & Lock Jaw.
• TeamXD (Brady and his son Logan) with Robotussin – one of the first USA 150g bots.
• Time of Death – a much loved, fun 150g bot.
• 30 Below – a 30lb flipper that competed at NHRL.
• SpinnerBait Jr. – a 60lb wedge that competed at the RFL (driven by Logan).
• Currently he and Logan are competing at NHRL with SpitFire – a FlyBot in the 3lb class.

Ron Hervey: First of all, thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. Tell me about how you got started in combat robotics.

Brady Davis: My son Logan and I were fans of Robot Wars. He asked if we could “do this.” I smiled and said sure, thinking that’s as far as it would go. Soon he presented me with an entry packet for BattleBots and there was no turning back.

One of Logan’s gifts for his 13th Birthday was a used electric wheelchair, which together we completely took apart that night and TeamXD was born. We ended up only using the motors and gearboxes when building Steel Reign, A 340lb Super Heavyweight which we submitted for BattleBots Classic season three. Somehow we made it.

After the bot passed safety, we had our first match with Logan driving at age 13. The lights, the camera, the smell of dead robots in the arena made it even more exciting. We fought HooBot and lost to a close judge’s decision. Afterwards, Logan had his first post-match interview with Arj Barker. Back then it was single elimination, so we spent the rest of the event learning what other bots used, how they were built, and gathered ideas for the next version of Steel Reign for season four.

We met so many great people. One builder from England had brought some small bots that we drove on tabletops at the Hotel in the evenings and he showed us how to modify servos for drive and build one. The next season there were several teams in the lobby of the Hotel having a great time pushing soda glasses around the dinner table. By season five, a small arena ran 1lb combat robots outside of the pit area. The sport was growing fast.

RH: How did you get involved with combat robotics in the Dallas area?

BD: Logan and I learned of a local group, SWARC (Southwestern Alliance of Robot Combat), and soon joined. Mike Shermer built the first 4’x 4′ arena with which he organized and ran many great events with. Mike was the club president and all things SWARC until he had to step down for understandable reasons. He asked if I would pick up the reins and try to fill his shoes thus starting my long-time involvement with a super community of combat robot builders, competitors, spectators and fans in the DFW area. It has continued to evolve thanks to the help of so many great people. Due to them we have been able to hold fun, safe and exciting events for many years.

Now Rev Robotics is the new home of TRC in Carrollton, Texas. We have a new group of club officers committed to hosting safe, competitive and exciting events. I expect the sport to continue growing and evolving while inspiring creativity and engineering excellence, hosting fun events for competitors and spectators alike.

RH: Tell me more about Texas Combat Robotics as an organization.

BD: After running for many years, SWARC became DARC. We realized that we represented more than just Dallas and changed the name to Texas Robot Combat. We have held thousands of matches over the years providing fun, safe, exciting and well ran events for the robot combat community.

After a long pause during the covid lockdown, the new TRC was started back up in late 2023 with the addition of Ryan Lu, Peter Garnache, Logan Davis, Judy C. & Craig Danby as club officers. Along with Richard Blom and myself, we organized as a 501c3 not for profit LLC.

Having such great leadership is just one part of what makes TRC one of the country’s top tier events. Having such a community of creative builders competing with more and more destructive machines while helping one another grow makes for great competition and exciting matches for everyone.

And let me mention all of the super supporters, spectators and families that add to why TRC is so special. We have over 1000 Facebook members and we are building a strong Discord group to help answer questions and give builders support.

RH: How many events does Texas Combat Robotics sponsor a year?

BD: We are planning 3 events for the 2025 season at REV Robotics.

RH: What is the competition structure at the Texas Combat Robotics events?

BD: Double elimination for 3-pound open class, 1-pound open class, 1-pound plastic class. Winners in first, second and third place in all three classes receive awards and prizes from our sponsors. First place winner of 1-pound plastic has to retire the winning bot and not use it again to inspire creativity.

RH: Unless I am mistaken, the last Texas Combat Robotics event was the Texas Cup 2024, last November. How was the attendance?

BD: We had over 60 bots fighting in two arenas for our 4th annual Texas Cup event. We had a small crowd attending that cheered on competitors which added to the excitement. We even had some real BattleBots on display. Turnout was so good that we had to have a wait list for bots. We may have to host two day events in future.

RH: Any details you can give at this time on the next Texas Combat Robotics event?

BD: TRC’s Robot Rodeo will be held on Saturday, May 24th (2025) at REV Robotics. Competitors should sign up early on robotcombatevents.com because slots fill up fast. TRC events are free to attend but bring a chair as we fight all day.

RH: For a newbie attending, and possibly participating in their first combat robotics event, what is your best advice?

BD: Be sure your bot is underweight, test the failsafe, and practice driving before attending. On the day of the event, check in and get inspections completed early. Be sure to listen during the drivers meeting to learn the procedure. Our staff will also be there to help guide competitors and keep everyone safe. If you have any questions, just ask, we are always happy to help.

RH: With your experience, and from what you have noticed at the different competitions you attend, what are a few of the most used radios used with combat robotics.

BD: From affordable entry level radios from FlySky and Hobby King for the smaller class bots to radios with more features and programmability like radios from Spektrum, Futaba and FrSky for the bigger bots. Some drivers like the pistol style radio as it has a steering wheel and trigger input. Others like using a stick radio with most drivers mixing turning and throttle on one stick, while others like tank steering using both sticks.

RH: What are current trends in combat robotics that you have noticed.

BD:  In the smaller classes, an arms race between armor and weapons have set the trends. A trend of smaller robots being made with or completely out of rubbery TPU 3D printed filament has helped to make machines that can be nearly unkillable by spinners. This advancement in armor strategy has prompted a return of robots with cutting saws and fire bots. Three pound beetles like Mako with it’s 400mph circular saw can surgically slice TPU robots in half, and advanced flame throwing robots like Dutch Oven can put out enough heat to melt frames to the floor. 

RH: I don’t see a lot of competitions offering a sumo robotics division. Have you seen any interest in sumo in the north Texas area?

BD: Our friends at the Dallas Personal Robotics Group (DPRG) have been the go-to group for Sumo Bots and hold events at another one of TRC’s longtime friends, Dallas Makerspace. See their website for more information (link above).

RH: Tell me about some of the bots that you have built and how they have done.

BD: Logan and I have been building and competing together for over 25 years, starting with the largest bot – Steel Reign, as seen on BattleBots Classic Season on Comedy Central. We lost our first match that season, rebuilt and tried again but lost in season 4.0. We didn’t give up and in season 5.0 we won several fights leading up to our fight against Son of Wayachi. That match ended with the arena crew handing us a cardboard box of scrap. Logan held the “Spinal Column” of the bot for his post interview as they wheeled our poor bot away on a cart. We did better than we could have ever imagined. It started us on a journey of a lifetime of building and competing together.

RH: What is your best advice to someone just getting into combat robotics?

BD: My son Logan has great advice for that. He suggests starting with the smaller robots. You can get way more battle time and practice than with the larger classes. There are many well-run events for the smaller bots. Parts are affordable and replaceable, and building doesn’t require expensive fabrication equipment. Plus, with all of the combat robot kits on the market you can easily assemble and start competing fast.

RH: In your opinion, what is the future of combat robotics?

BD: The near future of combat robotics will likely see more robots with cutting saws, blow torches, soldering iron spikes, and C02 dart guns, and that in turn could force builders away from printed thermoplastic frames, and back to metal, where we might see a resurgence of spinners.

RH: Thank you so very much Brady for your time and cooperation.

Find out more about Texas Combat Robots on their website.

Check out more info on Robotics Combat on my Knowledge Base page.

The antweight division in combat robotics features constant action where small robots weighing 1 pound (150 grams) or less engage in fast-paced battles. With weight-stingy antweights, every detail of the robot’s design, from weaponry to drive train, plays a critical role in a robot’s performance. One such crucial factor is the motor. The motor size, or more specifically, the type of motors used and their specifications, can make or break a robot’s ability to perform efficiently.

In this blog, I’ll dive into the importance of motor sizes in antweights and how to choose the right motor for your robot.

The Role of Motors in Combat Robotics

Motors are at the heart of every robot’s movement. In combat robots, motors control various aspects of the robot, from driving to weapon systems. These motors determine the speed, torque, and overall power output of the robot, directly affecting its combat effectiveness. Whether it’s a simple drive motor or a powerful weapon motor, choosing the right motor size is essential for building a competitive robot.

Motor Sizes and Types in Antweight Robots

In antweight robots, motors come in various sizes and configurations, each with its unique characteristics. The key factors to consider when choosing a motor are:

1. Speed: The RPM (revolutions per minute) of the motor dictates how fast the robot moves or how quickly the weapon spins. A higher RPM can result in faster speeds and quicker weapon action but may sacrifice torque.

2. Torque: Torque is the rotational force a motor generates, which helps move the robot and power the weapon systems. A motor with high torque is essential for robots that require high pushing power or need to deliver a strong blow from a weapon.

3. Size and Weight: Antweight robots are limited to 1 pound (150 grams) in weight, so the size and weight of the motor must be carefully balanced with the robot’s overall design. Motors that are too large or heavy will reduce the available space and weight for other components.

4. Voltage and Power: The voltage rating of the motor will determine how much power it can handle. Most antweight robots run on 7.4V or 14.8V battery systems, so selecting a motor that operates within these parameters is important for maximizing performance and ensuring safety.

Types of Motors Commonly Used in Antweights

DC Motors

DC (direct current) motors are the type of motor used in antweight robots. They are simple, efficient, and can be easily controlled for both drive and weapon systems. DC motors come in various sizes, with small, lightweight motors typically chosen for their ability to provide high RPM and reasonable torque for their size.

Brushless Motors (BLDC – brushless direct current motor): These motors are increasingly popular in combat robotics because they are more efficient, reliable, and lightweight than brushed motors. They offer a higher power-to-weight ratio and are perfect for antweights, where every gram counts. For rotating weapons like spinners, a brushless motor is the preferred choice due to the high power needed to achieve high rotational speeds. 

Brushed Motors: While brushed motors are older technology, they are still used in the sport. They tend to be less efficient than brushless motors but are often cheaper and easier to control. While some antweight robots may still use brushed motors for driving, brushless options are gaining traction due to their improved performance. 

Gear Motors

Gear motors combine a motor with a gearbox, reducing the RPM and increasing the torque. These are particularly useful for driving wheels and controlling more powerful weapons. By using a gear motor, you can trade off speed for greater force, which is essential in close combat situations.

Servo Motors

Servo motors are primarily used in robot arms and weapon systems. They allow for precise control of rotation, making them ideal for applications requiring high accuracy, such as a rotating weapon or a lift mechanism. In antweights, servo motors can be used for systems where tight control is needed.

Step Motors

Step motors are generally not used with antweights due to their limitations in power and speed.

Selecting the Right Motor Size for Antweights

When selecting a motor for your antweight design, size does matter—but it’s not just about choosing the smallest motor possible. It’s about balancing motor characteristics to meet the specific needs of your robot. Here’s a basic guideline for motor selection:

For Drive Motors: Antweight robots typically use motors that provide a balance between speed and torque. If you are building a robot with high mobility and agility, opt for a small, lightweight motor with a higher RPM. Conversely, if your robot focuses on pushing or ramming, prioritize a motor with higher torque and lower RPM.

For Weapon Motors: If your robot features a spinner or other high-speed weapon, choosing a motor with high RPM and sufficient torque is essential. Brushless motors are generally preferred for weapon systems due to their higher efficiency and durability. Be sure to select a motor that can withstand the intense demands of weapon action, often requiring quick starts and stops.

Weight Considerations: In antweight robots, the motor should take up as little space as possible while still providing adequate performance. Excess weight in motors can reduce the weight allowance for other components like armor or weaponry. A well-chosen motor should be as compact as possible without compromising on necessary performance.

Motor Efficiency and Battery Life

Motor efficiency plays a critical role in maximizing battery life. Efficient motors use less power for the same output, meaning you can get more combat time per battery charge. In antweight combat robotics, where each second counts, efficient motors can give you the upper hand in longer fights.

Battery life is also tied to motor performance. More powerful motors may drain your battery faster, which could leave you vulnerable towards the end of a match. Therefore, it’s important to strike a balance between motor power, speed, and energy consumption.

*Check out my Knowledge Base Article Which Battery Should You Need*

Conclusion

In antweight combat robotics, motor selection is one of the most important factors determining your robot’s performance. The size, type, and specifications of the motors directly impact everything from speed to weapon power and control. Whether you’re building a nimble, quick robot for agility or a powerful bot with a strong weapon, understanding motor sizes and how they fit into your design will give you a competitive edge in the arena.

Remember, every robot is different, and the key to success is finding the perfect motor combination for your unique needs. Experiment with different motors, gear ratios, and configurations, and you’ll find the sweet spot for your antweight combat robot. Happy building and battling!

---

Click here for more robotics blog posts

Check out my collection of Knowledge Base Articles for more robotic info.

If you are new to combat robotics, or even a seasoned veteran of many tournaments, information is crucial to becoming a better builder and competitor. Luckily for fighting robot enthusiasts, there is a ton of information available the Internet. Here are just a few of the websites and groups with great combat robotics information.

The Big Boys (and Girls)

It started for most of us when we first saw robot fighting on television with either Robot Wars or BattleBots. We were hooked with the first shower of sparks. Even though those shows featured huge bots costing thousands of dollars to build, there is still a lot of information for those of us competing at the lower weight categories.

BattleBots Official Website: The official site for the popular television competition features team profiles, event schedules, match results, and behind-the-scenes content.

The BattleBots Robots: A great resource to learn about the teams competing in BattleBots, with links to their social media and websites.

A Community of Combat Robotics Enthusiasts

Reddit – r/battlebots: A subreddit group with over 70,000 members. The group is an independent community for fans of robot combat, not representing any one brand. They welcome those with a casual interest in television shows as well as the enthusiast community.

Hackaday: While not exclusively focused on combat robotics, Hackaday features articles on innovative robot designs, tutorials, and projects that can be relevant to combat robotics builders.

Instructables: This site has many user-generated tutorials on building combat robots, covering various designs and techniques.

Facebook Groups

Various groups exist for combat robotics enthusiasts, where members share insights, event information, and offer support to each other. Do a search on Facebook and you will find a bunch of them. Here are just a few: (member numbers data as of 1/23/25)

Robot Weight Class Groups

• Antweight Combat Robots (5 K members)
• Plastic antweight combat robotics group (607 members)
• Beetleweight Robot Combat (5.5K members)
• Featherweight Robot Combat (532 members)

Regional Groups

• Texas Robot Combat (1.2K members)
• Arizona Robotic Combat (ARC) (825 members)
• Florida Combat Robot Builders (403 members)
• Combat Robots of Oklahoma (622 members)
• Ohio Robotics Club (823 members)
• Michigan Combat Robotics (248 members)
• Utah Combat Robotics Group (277 members)
• Carolina Combat Robots (413 members)
• Colorado Combat Robotics Club (961 members)

Other

• 3D Printing for Robot Combat (3.0K members)
• Combat Robot Flea Market (2.5K members)
• Beater Bar Combat Robot Builders (629 members)
• BattleBots Fans (10.8K members)

YouTube Channels

YouTube is a great resource for combat robotics. There are dozens of channels dedicated specifically to combat robotics, including channels from individual builders, teams, commentators, and dedicated news platforms covering the sport and its related events. Here is a small sampling of what is available:

Ray Billings team captain of Hardcore Robotics, and the builder/designer of the BattleBots champion robot Tombstone! This channel focuses on various robotics projects along with some building and competing guidelines. (56K subscribers•177 videos)

Team Witch Doctor Those familiar with BattleBots will associate the name with the hugely successful vertical spinner bot with the ribcage design as armor. The channel includes a “Witch Doctor Junior”playlist with team member Andrea Gellatly covering everything you need to know to build and compete an antwaight. (17K subscribers•294 videos)

Robert Cowan Member of Team Copperhead of BattleBots. The channel covers CNC, robotics, various other projects. The channel has many great combat robotics videos, including a playlist of videos about building an antweight Combat Robot. (66.5K subscribers•392 videos)

Team Just ‘Cuz Robotics Seth Schaffer is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for combat robotics. The channel is dedicated to sharing the knowledge needed to build combat robots and other related DIY projects. He is also a member of the Battlebots team behind the vicious overhead spinner Bloodsport. (10.3K subscribers•225 videos)

Team Panic Channel of an electrical engineer with an interest in robot combat. His videos document his experiences with build logs, tutorials, 3D printing and other robotics stuff! (8.05K subscribers•386 videos)

DrumBotics Welcome to DrumBotics Youtube channel where we will be uploading antweight competition fights updates about our robot and more! (1.4K subscribers•52 videos)

Team Cryptid Robotics This channel includes bot builds and guides about combat robotics. He states the goal of the channel is to grow the sport, build hype for his bots and guides for all the things he “wished existed when I got into combat robotics”. (364 subscribers•71 videos)

Other Combat Robotics Resources

Robot Combat Events A listing of combat robotics events in the US.

Ask Aaron Combat Robotics Q&A Team Run Amok started Ask Aaron in March of 2003 to answer the robot combat questions sent to their team. Twenty-one years and 7500 questions later they are still fielding a very broad range of practical, theoretical, arcane, obscure, and sometimes just plain silly questions.

The Robot Combat League A non-profit whose mission is to promote STEM and design and fabrication skills through the sport of Robot Combat. The Robot Combat League is not an official organizing body for Robot Combat.

NHRL Official website of the National Havoc Robot League. The organization is the home of the 3lb, 12lb and 30lb world championships through a series of seven combat robotics tournaments hosted in the House of Havoc. The group is based in Norwalk, CT.

Don’t You (Forget About Me)

Last, but certainly not least, is the robotics section on my Knowledge Base Articles page. As of this writing, I have nine articles on combat robotics, with everything from The Science Behind Robotic Warfare to Sumo Robotics. You can find my Knowledge Base here.

Conclusion

These resources can be invaluable for anyone interested in combat robotics, whether they’re looking to build their own robot, stay updated on competitions, or connect with other enthusiasts in the community. This is just a very small sampling of what is available. Google (or another search engine) is your friend. A search will reveal a wealth of resources.

Have you been thinking about the possibility of getting into combat robotics? If so, this blog post is just for you.

I decided to write this because I’ve talked to several folks lately who said that BattleBots stuff looks really cool, but they wouldn’t even know where to begin. After all, robotics can be some pretty complicated stuff. And it can be, but the robots competing in the lower weight classes (fairweight, antweight, beetleweight) are not terrorabally technical.

You don’t need a degree in electrical engineering to enjoy fighting robots. All you really need is a desire to learn… plus a little cash (or credit).  And even though money could be tight, I think most would be surprised how cheaply you can get into the hobby.

Your Ticket to Fun

There’s basically three ways to get into the sport. You can buy a package with everything you need to get started, all pre-built and ready to rumble. You can buy a kit which includes all the parts needed for a little shredding machine and build it yourself. Or you can design and build your bot from scratch, which is very attractive for some.

So if you are technically-challenged or not, there’s an avenue for anyone to get into the hobby.

Ready to Rumble

The easiest way is to purchase a all-in-one package with a fully built robot and radio transmitter. With just a little practice, you can be competing in local tournaments in no time.

There are several reputable companies selling these kits. Palm Beach Bots is just one offering “ready to fight” packages. They include FingerTech Robotics’ Viper in such a package. They have several other bots with different configurations, from lifters to vertical spinners, that can be made ready to fight with just a few add-ons.

A google search will direct you to other companies offering all-in-one options.

Don’t Forget Spares

Hopefully, whichever kit you purchase, it comes with a few extra parts because you are going to need them. There’s many times in-between matches you will need to repair the damage your bot incurred in the last bout. In some instances you will need to make repairs to be able to continue. Several people in tournaments will bring more than one robot just in case repairs can’t be done.

This leads us to the major disadvantage of buying one of these “everything included” kits. If you haven’t actually built the bot, you may not have the knowledge of the inner workings enough to make repairs. If that’s the case, you are dead in the water.

A Better Option

In my humble opinion, a much better option to the pre-built kits would be a kit that requires you to actually build the bot yourself. This gives you a working knowledge of how your bot works. You will understand every little thing about the workings of the robot, making repairs much easier. 

These kits include all the individual components including a chassis, drive motors, wheels, an electronic speed controller (ESC), a weapon system (if using one), a battery, and all the necessary wiring.

A few kits even include a radio transmitter and receiver. If the kit doesn’t include a radio, you will need to make sure the receiver that comes with the kit is compatible with the radio you have or plan on purchasing.

Check out radios in my shop pages

Once again, if the kit doesn’t come with spare parts, you will need to purchase those separately.

Which Witch to Watch

For those wanting to start this way, I’m going to point you to the YouTube channel of one of the prominent BattleBots teams – Team Witch Doctor.  Those familiar with BattleBots will associate the name with the hugely successful vertical spinner bot with the ribcage design as armor. Team Witch Doctor has not only been successful fighting the big boys in BattleBots, they also have a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to promoting the combat robotics community. They also provide STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, enabling young builders outside of the “BattleBox”. In my opinion, that’s super cool!

On the Witch Doctor Youtube channel, look for the “Witch Doctor Junior” playlist. In this series of 9 videos, team member Andrea Gellatly covers everything you need to know to build and compete an antwaight (1 lb).

Andrea walks you through everything from the drive train to competing in your first tournament using the FingerTech Robotics Viper kit mentioned above.

I feel very comfortable recommending these videos as they are one of the most complete build series I have found on the net. You can view the videos here.

For Those That Like A Challenge

A third option would be to design and build the bot from scratch. This would be the choice for all the makers and creators out there. There’s some that get into the hobby just for the challenge of designing and building a combat robot.

Of course, building a fighting robot from scratch can seem pretty intimidating to many. But the bots built for the smaller weight divisions are typically pretty simple. Especially if a less complicated weapon or a wedge is incorporated into the design. More advanced weapon systems can always be added to your bot later when your technical confidence is higher due to more experience. 

The good news for those wanting to get started this way is there is tons of information available with a lot of these resources being totally free if you have an Internet connection. There’s several great websites and YouTube videos with detailed info on building combat robots from scratch. Google (or your favorite search engine) is your friend. But I think I better save that one for a future blog post since this one is getting a little long.

Putting This Post to Bed

In conclusion, not only is fighting bots loads fun, but it’s easy to become part of the growing combat robotics community – no matter your current technical level. Between books and the Internet, you can easily learn everything you need to get involved. And get your friends involved too. There’s no greater satisfaction than total destruction of your best friend’s bot.

You have been mulling the design of a new combat robot for a while. You just know you have the plans for a bot that’s gonna take names and kick some serious butt in your local combat robotics arena.

You’ve made a list of parts needed and you check it twice. A frame and armor (either ordering or 3D printing it) – check. Motors and wheels – check. A great weapon that will shred your friends’ bots – check. A receiver and ESCs (electronic speed controllers) – check. Wires, connectors, belts and switches – check. But it seems like something is missing. Hmmm… Yikes! No battery!

You have thoroughly researched all the other parts, but you totally forgot about a battery. How’s your little destruction machine supposed to come to life without any juice? Time to jump online for a little more digging.

LiPo Batteries

You find out LiPo batteries (Lithium polymer, sometimes also abbreviated as LiPoly) are the batteries most used for smaller bots due to weight and size. You go to your favorite supplier to order one, but the site has a bunch of them. Then you start noticing all the specifications: S… V… mAh… A… C… mm… Holy crap! How do you know which battery you need?

Voltage and Cells

You notice the battery above is listed as 2S 7.4V. You figure the V stands for voltage. But what is the 2S? With this LiPo, the 2 is the number of cells in the battery, S tells us the cells are wired in series, which means the voltage of each cell is added together to determine the total voltage of the battery. A single LiPo cell has a nominal voltage of 3.7V. A two cell (2S) LiPo has a total voltage of 7.4 volts, three cells (3S) at 11.1 volts, four cells (4S) would be 14.8 volts, and so on.

Capacity of LiPo Batteries

The capacity of a battery is typically specified in milliamp-hours (mAh), which indicates how much power it can produce. In the above case, the battery is rated with a capacity of 250mAh. But we don’t stop there. Next we need to multiply the capacity by the continuous C rate listed on the battery, which is the capacity multiplier. In the case of the battery above, we would multiply 250mAh by 35, which would give us 8,750mAh or 8.7 Amps. Will that be enough to power our bot? Maybe, but we need to do a couple more calculations just to make sure.

Time For More Math

To make this simple, let’s say you are building a antweight wedge with no weapon. You have two FingerTech “Silver Spark” 16mm gearmotors to use for the bot.

Checking the specifications for the motors, usually listed in the seller or manufacturer’s item description on their website, look for the stall current. This is the maximum current draw (in Amps) that the motor will pull when it is completely stalled. We find the the motor is rated at 1.6A each. So 1.6 + 1.6 (two motors) = 3.2 total amps for both motors. If our battery can deliver 8.7 Amps, it seems like that would be more than enough for our needs. But would it be enough for the duration of a three-minute match?

Now we divide capacity by current – 250mAh / 3.2A (or .25Ah / 3.2A for even dimensions), which is .078A per hour. Multiply that by 60 (seconds) and we find we can draw 3.2A for 4.7 minutes. Enough for our needs.

That would work for our antweight wedge. But if you want to add a weapon, you may need to find a battery with a little higher capacity. You just add the weapon’s motor or servo’s stall current to those of the motors. A 300mAh battery would probably work just fine, but do the math to make sure.

Size and Weight of LiPo Batteries

Size matters when it comes to the smaller competition classes (fairyweight, antweight, beetleweight). Real estate is at a premium with less area to store the battery. So don’t forget to factor in size and weight of the battery when planning a new build. TIP: you need an accurate set of scales to make sure your bot is in compliance with the weight class you plan on competing in. A good set of digital kitchen scales should work just fine.

Conclusion

Now you know how to determine what battery you need when planning a new combat robotics build. Battery safety and correct charging and discharging is also important when working with LiPos, but I’ll save that for a later blog.

Share: