RoboxSumo is very flexible and adaptable. It would be difficult to describe all of the variations and options in this program. This page describes the basic RoboxSumo program and directs you to instructions on how to build your own robots and hold a competition. The focus of RoboxSumo is learning and fun. If you have a simpler, better or less expensive idea, go for it. Then let us know what you found. We have been so excited by all the new ideas that other teams have developed and we appreciate the help. Watch some videos of previous competitions, this will help you better understand the process.
On this page, you will find the documents about RoboxSumo. Please feel free to download and share these. Do, please, let people know where they came from. We are working on all of these documents. Complete documents will have links. Incomplete documents will not be linked. Please contact us if there is something we left out or if you have questions.
SAFETY
Safety is paramount and this activity uses cutting tools, hot glue, and soldering equipment. Please be sure to take the appropriate precautions. We use cut resistant gloves to prevent injuries while cutting and suggest you do also.
GETTING STARTED
Participants
We have performed RoboxSumo with students from the 5th grade up to adult. With younger students, it will take more time and supervision. With older students or adults, you can make them assemble their own harnesses and wires. Most of our experience has been with middle school and high school students. We find that this program works best for these in groups of 2 or 3. More than three participants means that somebody doesn’t have anything to do. Part of the fun of RoboxSumo is working together in a team environment.
Tools
Each of the instruction documents will contain a list of the necessary tools for the task described. Hand tools and a few powered tools (soldering iron and hot glue gun) are all that one needs to create RoboxSumo.
Each team will need the same tools to complete the assembly. Each team should be issued:
- Shears
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Marker
- Cutting board
With younger or less experienced groups, some tools are shared. These include hot glue guns and utility knives. Hot glue and utility knives are usually placed at designated stations. Participants can be supervised and additional precautions (such as cut-resistant gloves) can be used to prevent injuries. Suggested tools and sources are described in the parts list on the documents page.
Parts
Each team or participant will need the same kit of parts for a basic RoboxSumo. These can be assembled locally or purchased from us. All parts and sources are described in the parts list. A typical kit of parts includes:
- Main Harness with motors
- 1 set of wheels with tires
- Cardboard – 24” x 24” (1/2 box)
- Tape – 5’
- Zip Ties – 10
- Sheet of paper – 2
- Ping Pong ball – 1
Basic RoboxSumo uses the two motors attached to the main harness. However, the harness can support up to four motors. Advanced RoboxSumo would include additional motor assemblies that plug into the Molex connectors on the harness. An advanced RoboxSumo kit would also include fasteners, and other inexpensive objects to foster the participant’s creativity
The most important component for RoboxSumo is the main harness. This will need to be purchased or assembled. More experienced participants can assemble their own harness. Younger or less experience participant may prefer to use a provided harness. You can purchase these from us or create your own. Purchasing is on the “Parts” page and instructions are listed below.
Parts Lists for RoboxSumo – R3
Motor/Harness Fabrication – R4
Lan Cable Assembly – R1
Basic RoboxSumo Construction – Rx
Wired Controller Construction – Rx
Wireless Controller Construction – Rx
Wireless Controller User’s Guide – R2
Building a Roboxsumo
Construction of the RoboxSumo is very simple. There are just a few rules to remember.
- Make sure it fits inside a 12” x 12” square.
- The brain (controller) must be easily installed and removed
- Make sure the brain doesn’t fall out.
Construction details are given in the rules section. There is a document on basic RoboxSumo construction that will give you some tips and tricks for a simple and sturdy design. This is where the fun happens. Participants will develop all sorts of crazy ideas. You want to let them go a little nuts. Some ideas are great, some not so good, but it’s all fun and it’s neat to see all the creative ideas.
RoboxSumo Basic Rules
You can modify, update and revise these as needed for your event. Please also look in the Documents section for other variations you can use to make the competition more interesting.
You will also need to purchase or construct controllers for the robots. These can be purchased from us or you can build your own. You can use the wired or wireless controllers for your contest. People like the wireless RC controllers, but they are MUCH more expensive. I suggest you always have at least 3 controllers for a contest. Two for the field and one extra in case a wire gets pulled.
Other Rules
Capture the block rules – Rx
Autonomous Roboxsumo rules – Rx
Competition
Now it’s time to compete! The first thing to do is impound all of the robots. Pick a safe place and get all of the robots together. Have the participants to give their robots a name. Have them put this on the robot along with the names of the team members. Make sure you’ve accounted for all the teams.
Next, weigh all of the robots. A small kitchen scale will do. If a match is a tie (nobody is pushed out) then the winner is the lighter robot. If the weights are the same (it happens) you can use the length, width or perimeter to break ties. Mark the weight on the robot so the referees can find it easily.
A double elimination bracket gives all of the participants more than one chance to compete. This gives every participant two tries. These brackets can be found online or you can work them out yourself. Here is a good site for brackets:
http://printyourbrackets.com/
To keep costs down, the “brain” is shared in conventional RoboxSumo. Participants will install the brain, compete and then remove the brain so the next participant can use it. That means you need at least two brains for a standard competition. You should always have a spare brain and extra batteries handy. Depending on the number of robots and the type of controls, we find that you can get about 20-25 competition rounds out of one controller battery pack. Have extra batteries handy and be sure to change the batteries on BOTH controllers so that both robots have similar battery life. Set up a “brain-changing” station. Participants will bring the robot to this location when called. Have somebody man this station to make sure installations go smoothly.
The “ring” is a 5’ x 5’ tape square on the floor. In rooms with 12” tiles, it is very easy to mark this out. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Everybody has to compete in the same ring with the same flaws. Consider different shapes or sizes of the “ring” to make it more interesting. Each match lasts for 1 minute. The first robot to push another COMPLETELY outside the ring wins the competition. If nobody is pushed out, then it is down to weight and size. In a tie, the lightest or smallest robot wins. People get very excited about these contests. A little mayhem actually increases the fun. DO keep spectators back far enough back so that nobody does a “Godzilla” and stomps on the robots.
Competition Timeline
A normal build and competition take about 3-4 hours depending on the number of robots. Here is the typical outline.
– 0:05 Before beginning, break students up into groups of 2 or 3. In most settings, 3 is the largest number that should be on each team.
0:10 Introduction – Introduce the program and presenters. Explain the purpose of the program and the goals of the Robox Sumo competition.
0:10 Safety – Discuss safety issues with students.
0:10 Kit of parts – Review all of the components and their use
0:10 Contest Rules
0:10 Planning – Students discuss and plan their design – No building
1:30 Construction and testing time. Students need to complete the robot and get it tested and inspected.
0:10 Clean up and prepare for competition
1:30 Competition. Students compete with their robots.
HAVE FUN
The most important rule is to have fun. If people are learning and working together in a creative and collaborative environment, then that is what it is all about! Please contact us if you have questions or problems.