Robot rumble

Radio Control Car Action, Mar 2003 by Atwood, Tom

Fighting machines with an RC-car twist

You've seen those gripping, fighting-robot TV shows with the large, heavily armored machines thrashing and bashing until one of the 'bots is immobilized or destroyed, and the winner basks in the glory of victory. The massive combat 'bots most of us think of may weigh hundreds of pounds and cost thousands of dollars to build, but those aren't the only fighting machines in the robot world. The new "Antweight class" Sozbots weigh only 16 ounces or less; that's where the name comes from: "S" as in sixteen and "oz" as in ounces. They are electric powered (pneumatic systems can also be used), cost no more than typical RC vehicles and offer all the combat intrigue and creative design challenges of their larger cousins. They are also made out of standard RC car parts-with a few creative additions, of course.

SOZBOTS, the leading Antweight fighting robot organization, holds tournaments in which these mighty miniatures duke it out in battle cages that are five feet square. The cages have walls made of transparent polycarbonate, and there are elaborate procedures to guarantee the safety of 'bot drivers and spectators alike. Sozbots deliver all the fun and excitement of the larger robots you've seen on television at a fraction of the time and cost required to compete with the big boys. In short, this is fighting RC robot action that anyone with car experience can easily get into.

The SOZBOTS website (sozbots.com) includes tournament announcements, robot rankings, tips and instructions, news bulletins, video of Sozbots in action and a shopping section that offers components and accessories to make your very own Antweight gladiator. Interestingly, it's often the case that the weapon system on a Sozbot draws more power than its drive system.

ROBOT RUMBLE

If you compete in the Antweight class, you can spend as much time as you wish practicing your driving skills, perfecting strategy and tweaking your robot's design to develop that winner's edge. The attraction lies not just in the thrill of victory; an important rule noted at sozbots.com: "Fun requirement: SOZBOTS is about getting together with friends and having a good time."

BATTLE RULES

The Antweights fight in two types of battles. There are two-minute double-elimination battles in which either a knockout or judges' points decide the victor. If a damaged robot cannot achieve continuous linear travel of 1 inch in 5 seconds, it is considered immobilized and a goner. There are also 3-minute free-for-all melees in which up to eight 'bots fight, and those "still standing" at the end of the round are declared the winners.

A group of Sozbots will battle it out at the upcoming RC Expo trade show at the Anaheim Convention Center on May 2, 3 and 4, 2003 (visit RCExpo.com for more information on this RC extravaganza). Is there a Sozbot in your future? The technology is here (heck, it's already on your workbench), and the sport is gathering huge momentum. As this new arena of RC power and excitement (and destruction!) expands, we will keep you posted.

clicktrip

* Check out the variety of robot combat organizations here: botbash.com.

* Get the inside scoop on this action-- packed RC show event: RCexpo.com.

* Robot Fighting Leagues info: botleague.com.

* Everything you need to know about Steel Conflict - including event dates: steelconflict.com.

Steel Conflict

robots with attitude

While roboic combat is now accessible to RC enthusiasts on the Antweight scale, the

sport that involves the larger bots is growing exponentially nationwide. According to Steve Brown; the founder of Steel Conflict and the builder of-three successful, large-scale, combat robots, this new sport is huge and growing every day; the largest gathering of combat-- robot builders is in Southern California. "We've got robots made from aluminum, Keviar,titanium, bulletproof Plexiglass and, of course, good old-- fashioned steel. The power packed into the weapons of these machines is incredible. There's nothing like watching pieces of a robot get torn off and thrown against the safety walls! The world will never be the same," says Steve.

Steel Conflict held a tournament at the FairPlex in Pomona, CA, in August 2002 that was attended by more than 100 of the massive robot heavyweights; many of them came from throughout the U.S. Steel Conflicts next event will be at the FairPlex on February 8 and 9, 2003, and it will also hold an exhibition tournament at the RC Expo trade show on May 2, 3 and 4, 2003. For a peek at the variety of robot combat organizations out there, check out the Robot Fighting League at botleague.com.