Depending on the version of robot wars you partake in and the level of competition you enter you may find that there are quite involved rules and guidelines which dictate the amount of construction (including the weight and technology used) that you utilise to complete your robot. Competition rules also vary from country to country, and from tournament to tournament – what is acceptable in some areas or regions may be banned or overruled in others.
First of all, robot construction is strictly policed. This is for two main reasons – to ensure the safety of the competitors and audience, and to ensure that the competition is fair and interesting to watch. For these reasons there are particularly features which are off-limits in the robot design – pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, for instance, should be avoided. Nets, high-voltage electric discharge, un-tethered projectiles and objects, liquids, dangerous fires and chemicals, and radio-jamming are generally not accepted. This ensures that the damage done to competing robots is repairable. The arena itself is also strictly controlled – the walls should be high, see-through and strong and are often made of bullet-proof plastic. There should be no question of the audience or competitors interfering with one another’s robots outside of the remote-controlled environment.
Weight classes also vary in different countries. Some tournaments and associations have an additional weight allowance for robot designs which incorporate legs and feet for walking rather than relying on wheels to roll – the walking design generally taking more effort and weight than the simpler roll design. For further information the Robot Fighting League (RFL) maintains a guidebook for rules of combat and tournament set-up.
First of all, robot construction is strictly policed. This is for two main reasons – to ensure the safety of the competitors and audience, and to ensure that the competition is fair and interesting to watch. For these reasons there are particularly features which are off-limits in the robot design – pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, for instance, should be avoided. Nets, high-voltage electric discharge, un-tethered projectiles and objects, liquids, dangerous fires and chemicals, and radio-jamming are generally not accepted. This ensures that the damage done to competing robots is repairable. The arena itself is also strictly controlled – the walls should be high, see-through and strong and are often made of bullet-proof plastic. There should be no question of the audience or competitors interfering with one another’s robots outside of the remote-controlled environment.
Weight classes also vary in different countries. Some tournaments and associations have an additional weight allowance for robot designs which incorporate legs and feet for walking rather than relying on wheels to roll – the walking design generally taking more effort and weight than the simpler roll design. For further information the Robot Fighting League (RFL) maintains a guidebook for rules of combat and tournament set-up.