How to make a Combat Robot

WARNING : This is just a short outline. You will have to refer to books/websites available in the market/internet for complete reference of making a combat robot.

You have to read.A lot. You cannot escape from that. Are you ready to do that? Then let's move ahead...

The entire process of competing in robotic combat events involves reading, researching, reading, asking pointed questions, reading and generally turning into a sponge of everything technical.                                                                                                     - Team Delta 

Books you should google right now if you haven't already...

• Chris Hannold’s “Combat Robots Complete" and “Combat Robot Weapons,” 
• Grant Imahara’s “Kickin’ Bot.”  

Checkout list of web links here : Websites-to-look-after-for-combat-robot
  
Now the Steps :

Choose a weapon :

•         This is totally a personal decision. You choice is influenced by many factors. The first bot that inspired you to jump into this, quest of which brought you here :)

Amount of money you are willing to spend on your first project. Since this is a blog for beginners, start with simple designs.(again,only if you want to.)

• Every design has it's pros and cons. Pros and Cons listed here on this weblink.

Choosing parts for the bot :

Before designing? you might ask. You will know why on your own

Here comes Researching the market for the parts you want and  the parts which are available.Check out and compare Weight and Size specs.

This involves reading catalogues of wide range of products of different companies. The list can be narrowed down if you have slighter idea of what exactly you wanna make.

Some quick go-through points 

• Choose LiPo over NiMH. It saves weight.And it's costly.
• Wheels - Your choice. Don't forget to choose bigger wheels if you want to make your bot invertible. Mind the clearance.
• Transmitter/receiver -  For wireless bots. Go to HobbyKing.Suggest if there are other options.
• Servos - Because No Speed Controller.Saves money plus weight.Give preference to torque over speed.
• Weapon motor- Servo for flippers, DC geared motor for spinners.

Our bot had Nylon gear DC motor. It couldn't handle the stress and it broke after a match. Make it of some other strong material(metals).

• Material - Click on  Materials

Design using a modelling software :

        This takes the most of the time of the complete process. Ideally 50% of the time should be spent  here. You will know where your parts will go.

Cost Analysis : This is usually done at the end of  whole process, this is more helpful when you make the bot next time. Rough calculation helps predict the total cost.


BUY AND ASSEMBLE.

& Practice.

When you decide to go for more custom and complex designs

Fabrication : Ain't a part to worry.Right ? NO.
If you mess up this. You are doomed. This is gonna take me some time. Will do it later.

Getting started.

For starters, a 4 episode video series for a simple combat robot is here :

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4 Part 1

Episode 4 Part 2

Episode 4 Part 3

In the end, the book I found very useful 

For more resources, click on this reddit link :) Battlebots

Read this books which I found to be extremely helpful :)

• Build Your Own Combat Robot (How to)

•  Combat Robots Complete: Everything You Need to Build, Compete and Win (TAB Electronics 

•     Technical Library)Combat Robot Weapons

BUY - Kindle - 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi (Black)

Competitions for Robowars in the year 2015

Robowars in the year 2015 in India

*.Technovanza,VJTI Mumbai
    Starts From             :     26 December, 2015
    Ends At                  :      28 December,2015
    Prize Money           :     Rs. 125,000                Holy-Moly(last year it was Rs.80,000) !!!
    Weight Class:         :     Middle Weight 60 Kg
    Website For Rules :      http://www.technovanza.org/robowars.php

*.TechFest IIT, Bombay
    Starts From             :   Dec 2015
    Ends At                   :   Dec 2015
    Prize Money           :    Rs.125,000                  Holy Moly again !!!
    Weight Class          :    Middle-weight 60 Kg
    Website For Rules  :    http://www.techfest.org/


Mail your College's competition details to python00078@gmail.com

    Buy Books From Amazons !!!

Things to keep in mind before you make a combot

Things to keep in mind before you make a combot :)

*First,If you are intending to participate in a competition then start as early as possible. Testing is one of the most important thing because you don't want to be repairing your bot for the problem that was uncalled for just after you made the bot.

It is usually a scene at the event that guys are running here and there for tools and batteries(ohh yeah!) just before fight is about to start!

*Always call the organizers/in charge of the event  about the floor of the arena.(mentioned in arena article)!

*Check availability of the parts...remember you will always end up compromising for some parts ...so be prepared for that as well.

Call For Help

Hey Everyone, I just thought this blog will be more helpful if I could provide the information of available robotic parts/components to you :)
We always face problems when we build high velocity bots because we can't have AmpFlow motors(which people mostly want to use in their bots here) in India easily without paying 33% custom duty :(
Same goes with high discharge batteries. So if anybody knows someone having motors/batteries/components for sale, just get it out of your mind in the comments :) It will be very helpful for other readers(and me).
Update...

Order batteries here(Click on the image)

Major Events in India of Combat Robotics

                                          Major Events in India of Combat Robotics 2014

In India,  This sport is popularly known as Robowars and is included in the major technical events of Technical Festivals that are held every year. Also it is one of the most crowd pulling events.


If you know the details of any of the following events,Then Please PM me or comment it below :)
Thanks in Advance ;)
Here is a list of some recognized fests...
*.Technovanza,VJTI Mumbai
    Starts From             :     28 December, 2014
    Ends At                  :      30 December,2014
    Prize Money           :     RS:80000
    Weight Class:         :     Middle Weight
    Website For Rules :      http://www.technovanza.org/

*.TechFest IIT, Bombay
    Starts From             :   2 January,2014
    Ends At                   :   4 January,2014
    Prize Money           :    RS.90,000
    Weight Class          :    Middle-weight
    Website For Rules  :    http://www.techfest.org/

*.TechKriti, IIT Kanpur
    Starts From :
    Ends On :
    Prize Money :
    Website :                      http://www.techkriti.org/
*. MindBend, NIT Surat
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :                 Middle-weight
   Website :                        http://mindbend.org.in/
*.Apogee Strike, BITS Pilani
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :                 Middle-weight
   Website :                        http://bits-apogee.org/
*.Cognizance, IIT Roorkee
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :
   Website :                      http://cognizance.org.in/
*. College Of Engineering, Pune
   Starts From                   :
   Ends On                        :
   Prize Money                 :
   Weight Class                :      Middle-weight
   Website                        :       http://www.mind-spark.org/
*.Anna University, Chennai
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :
   Website :
*Pragyan, NIT Trichy
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :
   Website :                               http://www.pragyan.org
*. Robotix, IIT Kharagpur
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class            :          Middle-weight
   Website                    :          http://www.robotix.in/
*. Quark, BITS Pilani,Goa
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class            :          Middle-weight
   Website                    :          http://www.bits-quark.org/
*. Atmos BITS Pilani Hyderabad
   Starts From            :             9 October,2014
   Ends On                 :             12 October,2014
   Prize Money          :
   Weight Class          :            Middle-weight
   Website                  :             http://bits-atmos.org/
*.
   Starts From :
   Ends On :
   Prize Money :
   Weight Class :
   Website :


Check out Some Special Deals here at Amazon. Click the icon :)

Best Combots Of India

                                                     Best Combots Of India

This is the common question that pops into everyone 's mind.(It's obvious!!!)

So here I will try to list out some of the best bots made till date In India... there is a possibility that I miss some of the bots...Please bring it into my attention by providing the description and pics of the bot in the comments below.

 I will update the blog ... :) 

I will not be ranking them as I don't have any rights to do so :P

So here we go...

• R.I.P. - Rust In Peace     

This bot is an absolute beauty <3. .
1. Weaponry -            Double Tooth Drum
2. Motors -                 AmpFlow E30-400
3. Power Supply -      Lithium-Polymer On-Board batteries
4. Transmission -       Gearbox
5. Speed Controller - Sabertooth  2 x 60
6. Wireless -              Yes
7. Weight -
8. Makers -  Pushkin Sonkusare, Rohit Patel, Chaitanya Rokade(Comment if you know all the names)
9. Wins/Loses -
                              42/1..This is freakin awesome because it has registered 42 straight wins and lost                              it's final match against Shivaji Raje(finally :P) that took place in RahulRaj                                             mall.Surat.
10. Materials -  
                             2013 version used H9 Grade Aluminium and the 2014 version used
                            Aluminium 6061-T6. (Please read the material properties by following the links ) 
11. Wheels -        Colson wheels
12.Build Report Link -  RIP build report
This bot has witnessed the transition from wired bots to wireless and has been inspiration to many beginners in India.

H9 grade Aluminium

H9 grade aluminium

• Shivaji Raje 

1.Weaponry -                    Single Tooth Drum
2. Motors -                       AmpFlow motors
3. Power Supply -             Lithium-Polymer On-Board batteries
4. Transmission -              Gear Box used
5. Speed Controller
6. Wireless and wired depending on the events
7. Weight -
8. Makers-                          Shreyas Dhone and college team of 30
9. Wins/Loses -                  Unknown
10. Materials -                   Titanium Plate as an armor
11. Wheels -                      Colson wheels

  This is the only bot which managed to defeat R.I.P. once in a match that was held in Surat.

• Dr. Golu

• 1.Weaponry - Double Teeth Drum
  2. Motors -
  3. Power Supply-
  4. Transmission - Chain
  5. Speed Controller
  6. Wireless and wired depending on the events
  7. Weight -
  8. Makers-
  9. Wins/Loses - Unknown

• Joker

1. Type -                              WEDGE

2. Weaponry -                      Single Tooth DISC(optional)(removable)

3. Motors -                           UNI polar 18v geared motors

4. Weapon motor                 24 volts nissan gtx steering motor 12000rpm
5. Power Supply -                Lead acid, LiPo()
6. Transmission -                 Internal Gear Box within motor
7. Speed Controller-            NO
8. Wireless/wired -              depending on the events
9. Weight -                          12/35/55 kgs
10. Makers-                         B.B Hemanth Kumar ,D.Praveen  G.Trinadh
11. Wins/Loses -                

 4 wins/(SRM UNIV ,Satyabhama University, Kakatiysa University Warangal,Meenakshi college) 

 2 losses(AMS chennai,BANNARI AMMAN erode)
10. Materials -                   Steel Plate as an armor ,en42 metal for Weapon
11. Wheels -                      MS iron wheels with hard Grip with wheel guards for (55kg)

12 Transmission type (weapon)   timing belt.

More to follow..
Send in your bot description to python00078@gmail.com. ;)
LiPo batteries link(Click on the image) -

BASICS OF COMBOTICS

                                                     BASICS OF COMBOTICS

First of all Let's know..
                                   What is Combotics ? (I like to use this acronym :) )...

         Combat Robotics is a hobby sport/competition in which participants build,operate and fight their custom-built robots in the arena, only condition is that robot should be made in compliance with rules of the particular robotic event.
The target is to disable or destruct the opponent's  which is when it get's awesome :)
         The robot in general should be built in accordance with rules by Robot Fighting League 2004 Standard rules.
         The participant can be of ANY AGE.
                                          Little History of Combotics
          It is said that Marc Thorpe organized the first Robot Wars competition in San Francisco in 1994 but it seems that universities like MIT and CalTech have been conducting these events from 70's...YES...you read that right...!!!

But in India it's still uncertain where the competition was held first.
Rather than re-writing all the stuff again I suggest you to follow this link in order to know more about the history of Combat Robotics.
                                                  History of Combat Robotics
Now,enough of the history...let's get started with what you need to make a combot .:)

Awesome sparks

Sparks

You love these sparks...don't you?

Blog Introduction

Hi there,

Here We present you one of the many blogs on Internet to explain all we

 know about Combat Robotics in India in the most lucid way we can try. :)

Also, We will try to keep you informed about various RoboWar competitions happening across the county and whether you should go there or not depending on the prize money they offer, arena specifications and safety...wait what SAFETY???
Yes dude...because safety comes first.See the END NOTE!!!
( FYI-You must participate in every competitions you can ...you will have an AWESOME chance to meet people who share the same interests as you do and perhaps are better at what you do :)  )


To start with I will show you what we made in our first attempt.

The result was not up to the mark but still it could rip "few" enemies apart in the arena.

In the picture, you can clearly see that it's is an incomplete work

Front Motor is not mounted yet .You can see the belt is loose.

I would not consider this to be a failure because we didn't have ENOUGH money to have NSA running in arena.

So first thing we did in order to cut down the expenses was to use "used Viper motors" from local garage, 

Second thing, we did not use any standard materials for the structure.

Third thing, we did was to make custom spur gears to increase RPM at the cost of torque(which i think was not a good deal for smaller arenas we have in India)

At the end result was beautiful although it could not stand against better and COSTLY opponents in the arena.

So you are at perfect place if you are looking forward to make a ComBot in India.

But before you start making a combot, your motive should be clear behind it.(Just kiddin ,we made it for fun !!! :)

SERIOUS END NOTE : PEOPLE OFTEN GET INJURED WHILE DOING THIS KINDA PRACTICE SO SUPERVISION IS "EXTREMELY EXTREMELY" NECESSARY !!!