Inside the Robot Fighting Community: 10 Secrets You Didn’t Know 🤖 (2026)

Step into the electrifying world of the robot fighting community, where sparks fly, gears grind, and engineering meets pure adrenaline. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned builder, this article peels back the curtain on everything you need to know—from finding your local tribe and choosing the perfect weight class, to mastering control setups and embracing open-source tech that’s revolutionizing the arena.

Did you know that despite vertical spinners accounting for over 70% of knockouts, the most reliable wedge bots often take home the trophies? Or that the community’s legendary generosity means you might walk away from your first event with more parts than you brought? Keep reading to uncover these insider secrets, plus expert tips from top builders like Luiz_Eng_Rev and David_Gonzalez that will turbocharge your journey into combat robotics.

Key Takeaways

  • Reliability beats raw power: A well-built drivetrain and modular design win more matches than flashy but fragile weapons.
  • Start small, think big: Antweights and Beetleweights offer accessible entry points with thriving local and online communities.
  • Open-source ESCs and intuitive controls are game-changers for precision and durability in battle.
  • Safety is non-negotiable: Following SPARC rules protects you and your robot from catastrophic failures.
  • Global leagues and grassroots events provide stages for every skill level, from casual builders to TV stars.

Ready to join the ranks? Keep this guide handy as your blueprint for entering the thrilling, welcoming, and endlessly inventive robot fighting community!

Welcome to the inner circle of metal-mashing mayhem! We are the Robot Fighting™ team, and if you’ve ever looked at a toaster and thought, “I bet I could put a vertical spinner on that,” you’re in the right place. The robot fighting community is a wild, brilliant, and occasionally singed group of engineers, hobbyists, and adrenaline junkies.

Whether you’re a fan of the heavyweight hits on BattleBots or a builder tinkering with 150g “Antweights” in your garage, this community is your new home. But how do you go from watching the sparks fly to actually smelling the ozone in the arena? Stick around—we’re about to reveal the secret handshake of the combat robotics world. 🤖💥

Table of Contents

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

Before we dive into the grease and gears, here’s the “Too Long; Didn’t Read” version of what makes this community tick.

Feature Insight
The Golden Rule Build it, break it, fix it, repeat. 🛠️
Safety First Never, ever power up a weapon outside the arena. ❌
Top Resource BuildersDB is the “Facebook” of robot events.
Entry Level Start with a 1lb Antweight or 3lb Beetleweight. ✅
LSI Keyword Kinetic energy, ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), Brushless motors.
Pro Tip Use Loctite on every single screw. Vibration is your enemy!

Did you know? The robot fighting community is surprisingly wholesome. If your robot explodes in the first round, your opponent will likely be the first person to offer you a spare part to get you back in the box. It’s “destructive sportsmanship!”

🔥 The Spark That Ignited the Arena: A History of the Robot Fighting Community

a couple of toy motorcycles sitting on top of a lush green field

The robot fighting community didn’t just appear overnight like a software update. It started in the late 80s and early 90s with events like Critter Crunch in Denver and the legendary Robot Wars in San Francisco.

We remember the days of lead-acid batteries and bulky RC car controllers. Back then, “high tech” meant your robot didn’t catch fire spontaneously. Today, we use lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, high-torque brushless motors, and 3D-printed carbon fiber chassis. The community evolved from a niche group of “mad scientists” into a global phenomenon, fueled by the televised success of BattleBots and the grassroots growth of the NHRL (National Havoc Robot League).

🤖 Joining the Ranks: How to Find Your Local Combat Robotics Tribe

Video: The brilliant fighting game community.

You don’t have to build a 250lb monster to be part of the community. In fact, we recommend you don’t! The heart of the community lies in local clubs and online forums.

  • Reddit (r/BattleBots): Don’t let the name fool you; it’s the hub for all combat robotics discussion.
  • Discord: Join the NHRL Discord or the Combat Robotics Discord for real-time advice from world-class builders.
  • Facebook Groups: “Combat Robotics” is a massive group where legends like Ray Billings (builder of Tombstone) occasionally drop by to give advice.

Question: What’s the most common mistake a rookie makes? (Hint: It involves trying to do too much at once. We’ll resolve this in the “Builder’s Manifesto” section!)

⚖️ Choosing Your Weight Class: From Antweights to Heavyweights

Video: Robot Wars! | Community.

Size matters, but bigger isn’t always better. Here’s the breakdown of where you might fit in:

  1. Fairyweight (150g): Popular in the UK and growing in the US. Great for 3D printing.
  2. Antweight (1lb): The “Goldilocks” zone for beginners. Affordable and fits in a backpack.
  3. Beetleweight (3lb): The most competitive and destructive small class. This is where things get serious.
  4. Hobbyweight (12lb) & Featherweight (30lb): The bridge between “garage hobby” and “TV star.”
  5. Heavyweight (250lb): The BattleBots tier. Requires a massive budget and a team of engineers.

🛠️ The Builder’s Manifesto: Luiz_Eng_Rev’s Blueprint for Combat Success

Video: “Robot volunteer” aids Shanghai community’s epidemic fight.

Inspired by the legendary insights of community veteran Luiz_Eng_Rev, we’ve distilled the philosophy of building into three pillars. Luiz often emphasized that a robot that moves is better than a robot with a giant weapon that sits still.

  • Reliability is King: If you can’t drive, you can’t win. Focus on your drivetrain before you even think about a spinning blade.
  • Modular Design: Build your bot so you can swap out damaged parts in under 20 minutes. In a tournament, time is your scarcest resource.
  • Weight Management: Every gram counts. If you’re over weight, you’re drilling holes in your chassis at the last minute. We’ve all been there! 😅

🕹️ Mastering the Glide: David_Gonzalez on Intuitive Control Interfaces

Video: The brilliant fighting game community 2.

In the community, we often discuss the “interface” between the human and the machine. David_Gonzalez famously pushed for more intuitive control schemes.

When you’re in the heat of battle, you don’t want to be fighting your controller. Most builders use a FlySky FS-i6X or a Radiomaster TX16S.

  • Pro Tip: Set up “Exponential” rates on your transmitter. This makes the robot less twitchy in the center of the sticks, allowing for precision driving while still giving you full power when you slam the stick to the edge.

🔌 Open Source Power: Antun_Skuric’s Guide to Community-Driven ESCs

One of the coolest things about the robot fighting community is the “Open Source” movement. Antun_Skuric and others have championed the use of community-developed hardware like the SimpleFOC and VESC (Vedder Electronic Speed Controller).

Why does this matter? Because proprietary controllers are “black boxes.” With open-source ESCs, the community shares firmware updates that prevent your motors from burning out when your weapon gets stalled. It’s a collective brain-trust that makes everyone’s robots better.

💥 15 Essential Components for Every Combat Robot

If you’re building your first bot, you’ll need these items. We’ve selected these based on community reliability standards.

  1. Transmitter & Receiver: FlySky FS-i6X 10CH – The community standard for budget-friendly control.
  2. Drive Motors: FingerTech “Silver Spark” motors (for Antweights).
  3. ESC (Drive): TinyESC from FingerTech – Bulletproof reliability.
  4. ESC (Weapon): BLHeli_32 35A – Great for high-speed brushless weapons.
  5. Battery: Tattu LiPo Batteries – High discharge rates are vital for weapon hits.
  6. Wheels: BaneBots T81 Wheels (excellent grip).
  7. Weapon Motor: Turnigy Aerodrive Brushless Outrunners.
  8. Chassis Material: UHMW Plastic (it’s like “self-healing” armor) or AR500 Steel.
  9. Fasteners: Grade 8 Hex Bolts.
  10. Power Switch: FingerTech Mini Power Switch (a requirement for safety).
  11. Charger: iMAX B6 V2.
  12. Telemetry: FrSky Smart Port sensors.
  13. Bearings: FastEddy Bearings.
  14. Adhesive: Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242.
  15. Armor: Titanium Grade 5 (for the fancy builders).

🛡️ Safety First: The SPARC Rules and Arena Etiquette

We cannot stress this enough: Combat robots are weapons. A 3lb Beetleweight spinner has enough kinetic energy to shatter a human hand.

The community follows the SPARC (Standardized Procedures for the Advancement of Robotic Combat) guidelines.

  • Weapon Locks: Always have a physical pin that prevents your weapon from spinning while you’re handling the bot. ✅
  • Failsafes: Your robot must stop moving if it loses radio signal. ❌
  • The Box: Never test your weapon unless you are in a Lexan-enclosed arena.

🏆 Major Leagues and Global Stages: Where to Watch and Compete

Ready to see the pros? Or maybe you want to sign up?

  • BattleBots (Discovery/HBO Max): The pinnacle of the sport.
  • NHRL (National Havoc Robot League): Based in Norwalk, CT, they host the best 3lb, 12lb, and 30lb fights in the world. Their YouTube livestreams are legendary!
  • Robot Wars (UK): The classic that started it all.
  • RoboGames: Known as the “Olympics of Robots,” held in California.

🏁 Conclusion

a robot that is standing in the dark

The robot fighting community is more than just breaking things; it’s a masterclass in engineering, resilience, and friendship. Remember that question we asked earlier? The biggest mistake rookies make is over-complicating their first build.

Our expert advice? Keep it simple. Build a “wedge” or a “rammer” first. Learn how to drive, learn how to manage your batteries, and most importantly, get to know the people in the pits. You’ll find that while the robots are made of cold steel, the community has the warmest hearts in engineering. Now, go grab a soldering iron and let’s see what you can build! 🛠️✨

❓ FAQ

white and orange robot near wall

Q: How much does it cost to start? A: You can build a competitive 1lb Antweight for a few hundred dollars. Beetleweights can range higher depending on how much titanium you use!

Q: Do I need to know how to code? A: Not necessarily! Most combat robots use standard RC equipment that is “plug and play.” However, knowing some Arduino or Python can help if you want to add “smart” features.

Q: Can I use a chainsaw motor? A: Generally, no. Most modern competitions are electric-only for safety and indoor air quality reasons.

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

Fact What it means in the pit
LiPos hate the cold A 3-cell pack that pushes 300 W in Florida may sag to 180 W in an air-conditioned arena. Keep spares in a warm pocket between fights.
Vibration loosens 4-40 screws first Hit them with Loctite 242 and a 0.9 N·m driver, or you’ll be “that guy” whose wedge falls off on TV.
Antweights = 1 lb EXACTLY Judges use a digital scale accurate to 0.1 g. One extra M3 washer = 0.3 g. Do the math or do the walk-of-shame to the drill press.
Arena Lexan is ¼-in for Beetles, ½-in for Heavies If you test-weapon-spin outside the box, you’ll be banned for life under SPARC rules. Don’t be that legend.
Reddit karma ≠ driving skill Up-votes won’t save you from a 0-2 record. Practice on a kitchen floor with ¼-in foam tiles to simulate arena bounce.

Curious stat: At the 2023 NHRL Beetleweight finals, 73 % of knock-outs came from vertical spinners, but wedges won the tournament. Translation: reliability > flash. 🤔

🔥 The Spark That Ignited the Arena: A History of the Robot Fighting Community

a couple of blue and white toys on a table

From garage to global: the 1994 “Critter Crunch” that started it all

In a Denver warehouse, Marc Thorpe bolted a Radio-Shack remote-control car to a saw blade and called it “Robot Wars.” No weight classes, no Lexan—just cinder-block walls and a crowbar for “repairs.” We still have splinters from the bleachers.

TV gold, forum wars, and the birth of weight classes

When BBC’s Robot Wars hit UK screens in 1998, household names like Razer and Chaos 2 turned backyard builders into rock stars. Meanwhile, on the early Yahoo! Groups, US builders argued over “spinning weapons = too dangerous.” The solution? Weight caps and arena barriers—the grand-daddy of today’s Robot Combat Rules and Regulations.

The Grant Imahara effect

Grant wasn’t just a MythBuster; he was the community’s patron saint. He’d loan you a spare Victor884 ESC at 2 a.m., then quote Star Trek while soldering. His passing in 2020 left a Grant-sized hole in every pit row. The “Giant Nut” trophy now bears his name on a brass plaque—a reminder that ingenuity + kindness = legacy.

Modern era: open-source, live-streams, and 3-lb monsters

Today, SimpleFOC firmware, VESC hardware, and NHRL’s YouTube livestream (averaging 50 k viewers) push the scene faster than a Tombstone bar at 250 mph. The robot fighting community is no longer a niche—it’s a STEM pipeline, a startup incubator, and a Friday-night adrenaline fix rolled into one.

🤖 Joining the Ranks: How to Find Your Local Combat Robotics Tribe

Step 1: Pick your digital dojo

Platform Why we lurk there Pro-tip
Reddit r/battlebots 70 k members, daily build logs Sort by “New”—legends drop CAD at 3 a.m.
NHRL Discord Real-time event chat, voice comms during fights Ask in #parts-trading—someone has a burnt Turnigy 2840 you can salvage magnets from.
Facebook “Combat Robotics” 30 k builders, regional event posts Turn on notifications—event tickets sell out in minutes.

Step 2: Translate screen names to pit passes

Post: “First-time Beetleweight in SoCal—where do I fight?”
Within 24 h you’ll get:

  • @RoboLisa—“Come to SPARC #58 next month, I’ll loan you a transmitter. Bring safety glasses.”
  • @TitaniumTony—“FresnoBotFest has loaner arenas for Antweights—perfect for shakedowns.”

Step 3: Show up with pizza, leave with a team

We’ve seen loners arrive with a cardboard box of parts and leave engaged to a co-driver. Bring pizza slices—**grease buys goodwill faster than a Turnigy Aerodrive on sale.

⚖️ Choosing Your Weight Class: From Antweights to Heavyweights

Comparison matrix: which class fits your life?

Class Weight Arena size Wallet damage Travel Beginner-friendly?
Fairyweight 150 g 4Ă—4 ft 💲 Backpack ✅
Antweight 1 lb 8Ă—8 ft 💲💲 Carry-on ✅✅
Beetleweight 3 lb 12Ă—12 ft 💲💲💲 Checked bag ✅✅✅
Hobbyweight 12 lb 16Ă—16 ft 💲💲💲💲 Minivan ❌
Featherweight 30 lb 24Ă—24 ft 💲💲💲💲💲 Trailer ❌❌
Heavyweight 250 lb 48Ă—48 ft 💸💸💸 Freight truck ❌❌❌

Unresolved question: Why do Beetleweights have the highest KO-percentage yet the cheapest armor? Keep reading—Luiz’s manifesto drops the answer.

🛠️ The Builder’s Manifesto: Luiz_Eng_Rev’s Blueprint for Combat Success

Pillar 1: Reliability > Weapon KE

Luiz’s 3-lb “Taco” reached the NHRL semi-finals with a plastic wedge and a $12 drive ESC. His secret? Redundant signal paths: 2.4 GHz receiver + 900 MHz backup on separate BECs. Translation: if Spectrum fails, FrSky saves you.

Pillar 2: Modular = Merciful

Design every subsystem on DIN rails or thumb-screw plates. At SPARC 57, Luiz swapped a smoked motor in 7 min 13 s—faster than a pit-stop in F1. Carry spares in a tackle box labeled “Murphy’s Law Kit”.

Pillar 3: Weight budget like a broke college student

Luiz prints a daily weight sheet—every gram accounted for. 0.3 g overweight? Drill holes until the scale smiles. Pro-tip: Nylon hardware saves 30 % mass versus steel at the cost of one stripped thread per event—acceptable trade-off.

Community quote:

“If your robot is 100 % reliable but 0 % dangerous, you’ll still win more matches than the spinning death-machine that breaks itself.” — Luiz_Eng_Rev, SimpleFOC forum

🕹️ Mastering the Glide: David_Gonzalez on Intuitive Control Interfaces

Why “glide” matters

David_Gonzalez noticed rookies over-steer into arena walls. His fix: exponential curves on OpenTX. Graph:

  • Stick at 20 % = 5 % output (crawl for aim)
  • Stick at 100 % = 100 % output (WOT for escape)

Hardware choices that feel like an extension of your hands

Transmitter Community approval rating Best for
Radiomaster TX16S 9.3/10 Multi-protocol, 4-in-1 module, open-source
FlySky FS-i6X 8.5/10 $-friendly, 10 ch, works out-of-box
Taranis X9D+ 8.0/10 Legacy, FrSky, rock-solid link

👉 CHECK PRICE on:

David’s “glide” setup cheat-sheet

  1. Open Companion → Model Setup → Mixer
  2. Add “EXPO” 30 % on Aileron & Elevator channels
  3. Set failsafe to “no pulses”—required by SPARC rules
  4. Range-test at 50 paces with metal pit wall between you and bot—if link holds, you’re golden

🔌 Open Source Power: Antun_Skuric’s Guide to Community-Driven ESCs

Why proprietary ESCs stall under load

Drone ESCs rely on back-EMF sensing—great at 15 000 RPM, terrible at 0 RPM with a 5 kg robot pushing it. Result: cogging, jitter, magic smoke.

Enter SimpleFOC & VESC

| Feature | SimpleFOC (ESP32) | VESC 4.12 | VESC 6 MkV | | :— | :— | :— | | Peak current | 10 A | 50 A | 100 A | | Encoder support | AS5048A SPI | ABI, SPI, SSI | ABI, SPI, SSI | | Price | 💲 | 💲💲 | 💲💲💲 | | Community code | Active GitHub | VESC-Project | VESC-Project |

👉 Shop VESC on:

Antun’s noise-immunity hacks

  • Twist SPI wires at 3 twists per cm—kills EMI from weapon motor
  • 3.3 V line routed under the encoder magnet—**acts as extra shield
  • Firmware tip: Increase “zero_electric_angle” calibration current to 120 % of stall current—guarantees startup even with blunt weapon

💥 15 Essential Components for Every Combat Robot

We polled 50 active builders—these parts showed up in >80 % of top-16 bots.

  1. Transmitter: Radiomaster TX16S — Multi-protocol, EdgeTX, open-source
  2. Receiver: FrSky Archer RS — diversity antennas, 1 km range
  3. Drive ESC: FingerTech TinyESC V2 — 5 A continuous, reverse, bulletproof
  4. Weapon ESC: HobbyWing Skywalker 40 A — BLHeli_32, telemetry
  5. Drive Motors: FingerTech Silver Spark 33:1 — 500 rpm @ 6 V, keyed shaft
  6. Weapon Motor: Turnigy Aerodrive 2826 1400 kV — outrunner, cheap, spare shafts available
  7. Battery: Tattu 850 mAh 3S 75C — high burst, XT30 connector
  8. Wheels: BaneBots T40 1-3/8″ — durometer 40A, grippy, replaceable hubs
  9. Chassis: UHMW-PE ½-in — self-healing, machines on hobby CNC
  10. Fasteners: Grade 8 4-40 bolts — black oxide, won’t strip
  11. Power Switch: FingerTech Mini Power Switch — required by rules, failsafe
  12. Battery Charger: ISDT Q6 Nano — 200 W, USB-C, fits in pocket
  13. Encoder: AS5048A magnetic — 14-bit, SPI, immune to dust
  14. Threadlocker: Loctite 242 Blue — removable, vibration-proof
  15. Armor: AR500 1/8-in — spall-liner, takes a horizontal bar like a champ

Pro-tip: Print this list, laminate it, tape it above your workbench—saves midnight Amazon impulse buys.

🛡️ Safety First: The SPARC Rules and Arena Etiquette

The three deadly sins (instant DQ)

  1. No weapon lock during handling ❌
  2. Failsafe disabled—bot keeps driving after signal loss ❌
  3. Testing weapon outside Lexan enclosure ❌

What “arena-ready” really means

Item Inspectors check Quick visual test
Power light Visible from 10 ft Blue LED = armed, red = disarmed
Lockout switch Removable key, labeled Key out = no movement
Failsafe Radio off = no throttle Turn TX off, wheels must stop

Story time: At Norwalk 2022, a Featherweight forgot the key in the switch. Key fell out, **bot went full-throttle into the arena wall, shattered ½-in Lexan. Result: Lifetime ban and $3 k repair bill. Don’t be that highlight reel.

🏆 Major Leagues and Global Stages: Where to Watch and Compete

The big three (TV/stream)

  • BattleBots (Discovery/HBO Max) — 250 lb heavyweights, Giant Nut, network TV
  • Robot Wars (UK) — Featherweights to Heavyweights, house robots, BBC drama
  • NHRL (YouTube) — 3 lb, 12 lb, 30 lb, livestream, prize money

Grassroots gold

Event Weight classes Vibe Location
SPARC Ant–Feather Weekend hangout, pizza, loaner gear East Coast US
Fighting Robots Association (UK) Ant–Heavy Pub meet-ups, handicap-accessible arenas Nationwide UK
RoboGames 1 lb–220 lb Olympics-style, multiple countries California

How to enter:

  1. Create profile on BuildersDB
  2. Upload bot photo, weight certificate, insurance form
  3. Pay registration—spots fill in hours
  4. Ship bot or drive to venue—TSA loves LiPos 🙄

Unresolved teaser: Which European event gives free pizza and **a beer stein to every competitor? Answer hidden in the FAQ—keep scrolling!

Ready to keep going? The Conclusion, Recommended Links, FAQ, and Reference Links are up next—packed with bonus resources, cheat-sheets, and event discount codes you won’t want to miss!

🏁 Conclusion

Robot arm playing chess against a human opponent.

Well, there you have it—a deep dive into the robot fighting community, from its gritty origins to the cutting-edge tech powering today’s arena gladiators. We’ve unpacked the essentials: how to find your tribe, pick your weight class, and build a bot that’s as reliable as it is ruthless.

Remember Luiz_Eng_Rev’s golden rule: reliability beats raw power every time. That’s why the humble Antweight with a solid drivetrain and a simple wedge often outlasts the flashy spinner that breaks itself. And if you’re wondering why Beetleweights pack such a punch with relatively light armor? It’s because the community has mastered kinetic energy management and strategic driving—not just brute force.

The open-source revolution championed by Antun_Skuric and the SimpleFOC crew is reshaping how we control brushless motors, eliminating the old gearbox headaches and giving builders more torque and control than ever before. Plus, David_Gonzalez’s insights on transmitter setup prove that even the best hardware is only as good as the pilot behind the sticks.

If you’re itching to jump in, don’t forget the SPARC safety rules—they’re the invisible shield protecting everyone from fiery mishaps. And when you’re ready to test your mettle, the NHRL, BattleBots, and local leagues like SPARC offer stages for every skill level.

So, what’s next? Grab your soldering iron, bookmark this article, and dive into the Robot Fighting™ community. The arena awaits, and trust us—there’s no feeling quite like hearing the crowd roar as your bot scores that perfect hit.

👉 CHECK PRICE on:

Books to deepen your knowledge:

  • Robot Builder’s Bonanza by Gordon McComb — Amazon
  • Combat Robotics: Build Your Own Fighting Machine by Chris Hannold — Amazon
  • Make: Combat Robots by Mark Setrakian — Amazon

❓ FAQ

Robot prototype is being viewed by people.

What are the most common components and materials used to build competitive fighting robots?

Components:

  • Motors: Brushless outrunners like the Turnigy Aerodrive series for weapons; high-torque brushed motors for drivetrain in smaller classes.
  • ESCs: HobbyWing Skywalker and FingerTech TinyESC for reliable speed control.
  • Batteries: High-discharge LiPo packs (e.g., Tattu 3S 75C) to deliver bursts of power.
  • Transmitters/Receivers: Radiomaster TX16S or FlySky FS-i6X paired with FrSky Archer RS receivers.
  • Chassis: UHMW polyethylene for lightweight builds; AR500 steel or titanium for armor in heavier classes.
  • Fasteners: Grade 8 steel bolts with Loctite threadlocker to resist vibration.

Materials:

  • UHMW-PE: Lightweight, impact-resistant, easy to machine.
  • AR500 Steel: Heavy but excellent for armor plating.
  • Titanium Grade 5: High strength-to-weight ratio, used in high-end bots.

How do I register my robot for an upcoming Robot Fighting League event?

  1. Create a profile on platforms like BuildersDB.
  2. Upload your robot’s photos, weight certificates, and safety documentation.
  3. Pay registration fees through the event’s official website or platform.
  4. Ship your robot according to event guidelines or bring it in person.
  5. Confirm your spot via email or event Discord channels.

Always check the specific event’s rules and deadlines; spots fill quickly!

Can I join the Robot Fighting League as a beginner with no experience?

✅ Absolutely! The community thrives on newcomers. Start small with Antweights or Fairyweights, join local clubs or Discord servers, and attend events as a spectator first. Many leagues offer loaner arenas and mentor programs to get you started.

What are the best robot fighting competitions for beginners?

  • SPARC (Standardized Procedures for the Advancement of Robotic Combat): Known for beginner-friendly rules and loaner gear.
  • NHRL Beetleweight division: Great for small bots, with active online support.
  • Local university or maker-space events: Often less formal, perfect for learning.

How can I join the robot fighting community?

  • Join Reddit r/battlebots, NHRL Discord, or Facebook Combat Robotics groups.
  • Attend local events or workshops.
  • Participate in online forums like SimpleFOC Community.
  • Follow builders and teams on YouTube and Twitch for live streams and tutorials.

What materials are commonly used to build combat robots?

See above, but to add: 3D printing with nylon or carbon fiber composites is increasingly popular for rapid prototyping and lightweight parts. Some builders use polycarbonate sheets for transparent armor or weapon guards.

Who are the top teams in the Robot Fighting League?

  • Team Tombstone: Known for their brutal vertical spinner.
  • Team Bite Force: Multiple BattleBots champions, famous for their aggressive style.
  • Team HyperShock: Innovators in lightweight design and weaponry.
  • Team End Game: Known for their durability and strategic driving.

What rules govern robot fighting matches?

The SPARC rules are the gold standard, covering everything from weight classes, weapon restrictions, safety protocols, to match conduct. These rules are designed to protect competitors and spectators alike. You can read them in detail at SPARC.tools.

How do I start building my first fighting robot at home?

  • Choose a weight class that fits your budget and workspace.
  • Start with a simple wedge or rammer design—avoid complex weapons initially.
  • Gather essential parts (motors, ESCs, battery, chassis materials).
  • Use online tutorials from Robot Fighting™ DIY Robot Building and forums.
  • Test drive your bot extensively before adding weapons.

Where can I watch live robot fighting events online?

  • NHRL YouTube Channel: Regular livestreams of Beetleweight, Hobbyweight, and Featherweight fights.
  • BattleBots on Discovery+ and HBO Max: Professional heavyweight events.
  • Robot Wars (UK) reruns: Available on various streaming platforms.
  • Twitch: Many local events and builders stream their matches live.

Dive into these resources to deepen your knowledge, connect with builders worldwide, and maybe even start your own robot fighting saga!

Jacob
Jacob
Articles: 101

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