Combat Robotics
Meet Combat Robotics, Clarkson University's newest SPEED (Student Projects in Engineering Experience and Design) team.
This unique team requires students to work together to design, manufacture and compete with a variety of Combat Robots in various weight classes.
Students compete at the National Havoc Robotics League (NHRL) in Norwalk Connecticut, the largest combat robotics competition in the world. NHRL is open to anyone from teenagers to accomplished engineers.
The goal is simple:
create a robot, within guidelines, to destroy the competition while taking as little damage as possible. The challenge of combat robotics is coming up with designs that are reliable, adaptable, creative, and easily repairable. Clarkson Combat Robotics presents students with unique design challenges unlike any other competition, through which they will improve their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Combat Robotics Subteams
Antweight (1 pound) teams:
To help introduce the basics of combat robotics and gain valuable experience, it is recommended that all freshmen and new members make teams of 2-4 and make a 1lb plastic combat robot. The chassis and weapons of these robots are entirely 3D printed with select filaments. These teams are mentored by experienced team members, but are in total control of their designs and gain hands-on experience in critical engineering functions. At the end of the semester, there is a tournament between the teams, held in our homemade arena, to destructively test each design. From fights, newcomers learn the challenges of repairing their creations with a time constraint, and can better design future builds. Through the Antweight competition, students get an introduction to combat robotics in a safe and forgiving environment before moving on to larger robots.
Beetleweight (3 pound) teams:
Beetleweights are by far the most popular weight class in NHRL, making the 3lb circuit the most competitive and challenging. The robots are large enough to pack a punch, but small enough that simple manufacturing methods such as 3D printing are still viable and relatively affordable. The majority of Clarkson's robots are in the 3lb bracket. Beetleweight teams (typically 2-3 members) work together to design, manufacture, test, and compete with their robots. Beetleweights typically have more complicated weapon and control systems than the antweights, and offer a bigger challenge to more experienced students.
Hobbyweight (12 pound) teams:
The heaviest robots fielded by Clarkson are the 12lb hobbyweights. These robots are similar in complexity to the smaller weight classes, but due to their larger size require more complicated manufacturing methods such as lathes, mills, and CNC machining. 12lb teams (typically 3-6 members) are the largest and are composed of more experienced team members. 12lb robots require extra manufacturing time and also face cost challenges that aren’t experienced in the smaller classes, however the large scale makes for a rewarding and enjoyable experience.