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The Challenge of Combat Robotics
The rules of combat robotics are simple, but the engineering is anything but. Two remote-controlled robots enter a protective arena and battle until one is disabled. While it may look like pure adolescent fun, the design and fabrication of these machines involve highly complex engineering and constant innovation. With more than 20 years of experience in robotics, I’ve seen the field evolve from improvised hobby projects into advanced, high-performance combat robots built with precision tools and materials.
Ant Weight Robotics and Standard Components
In the one-pound Ant Weight division, every competitor starts with similar off-the-shelf electronics, many adapted from drones and RC cars. Builders rely on Li-Po batteries for energy, brushless motors to spin weapons, micro electronic speed controllers (ESCs) for power management, compact RC receivers for control, and micro gear motors for the drive system. The true challenge lies in how these components are packaged and optimized. Designing around weight, space, and durability requires careful trade-offs that define success or failure in competition.
Lightweight Robots with Big Power
Despite being no bigger than a banana, these lightweight combat robots deliver astonishing performance, with weapons spinning at up to 3,400 RPM. Unlike the massive 250-pound bots seen on television, Ant Weight robots are small enough for home workshops yet powerful enough to showcase cutting-edge design. Within this category is the “Plastic Ant” class, where all structural parts, including the weapon, must be 3D printed from plastic. This class highlights the accessibility of 3D printing for robotics, allowing builders to prototype, test, and refine designs quickly and affordably.
Competition Results and Innovation in 3D Printing
One of my designs, a full-body shell spinner, placed second in the Plastic Ant category at the International Maker Faire in NYC. The result proved how combining material science, 3D printed precision, and iterative design could produce a robot capable of both high offensive power and resilience under heavy impacts. Projects like this demonstrate how 3D printed combat robots push the boundaries of engineering while making robotics design more approachable for enthusiasts everywhere.
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