Combat robotics weapon systems refer to the various mechanisms and technologies employed in robotic systems designed for competitive fighting.
Note: The information on this page is about entertainment robotics competitions, like “BattleBots” or “Robot Wars, and other regional or local organizations and does not include military robotics information.
Here’s an overview of different types of weapon systems used in combat robotics:
Types of Combat Robotics Weapon Systems
Spinners: Rotating blades or discs that can cause significant damage through high-speed impacts. The various types of spinners are:
- Vertical spinners: A flat bar or thick circular disc mounted on a horizontal axis. Vertical spinners are the most successful weapon type in BattleBots and are used by many competitors, including the 2022 champion Tantrum.
- Horizontal spinners: Spin horizontally like a circular saw and are usually larger than vertical spinners.
- Eggbeaters: Spin around a horizontal axis and are broad in shape.
- Drum spinners: Cylindrical in shape.
Lifters and Flippers: Use mechanical or pneumatic systems to flip an opponent’s bot into the air.
Pneumatic Weapons: Devices that use compressed air to launch projectiles or strike opponents such as pneumatic hammers and flippers. Due to weight limitations, pneumatic weapons are used only in larger weight categories.
Melee Weapons: Close-combat tools such as axes, hammers or saws designed for direct engagement with opponents.
Fire-based Weapons: Systems that employ flames or incendiary devices to damage opponents. These can include flamethrowers or incendiary projectiles. As with pneumatic weapons, due to weight limitations, fire-based weapons are used only in larger weight categories.
Interchangeable weaponry: Some robots can use different weapons, such as blades, spikes, drums, and scoop weapons.
Combat Robotics Weapon Systems Control
Most weapons are triggered by humans using remote control radios, allowing for real-time decision making during a combat scenario. In some situations one person will pilot the robot while a second person with a separate radio triggers the weapons. In other situations one person pilots the robot and triggers the weapons on one controller.
Technological Advancements of Combat Robotics Weapon Systems
Ongoing advancements in AI, materials science, and robotics continuously influence the effectiveness and capabilities of combat robots.
In “BattleBots” AI can be used to enhance a robot’s ability to autonomously identify opponents, navigate the arena, target attacks, and react to changing situations, allowing the human operator to focus more on strategic decision-making rather than manual control.
Conclusion
Combat robotics weapon systems encompass a broad range of designs and technologies. The field is dynamic, with innovations continually shaping the capabilities of robotic systems in combat scenarios.