My first exposure to robotics was when we were still wearing masks. I got really into it and it’s exciting community. I started combat robotics in 2021 at NHRL (National Havoc Robot League) in Norwalk, CT. A few of our friends were doing it, but we thought we could do better. I love that it’s a place where I can try new designs and get instant feedback. If I’m sweeping parts of my robot out of the arena, then I know it’s time to think of something new. Around 2022, we created several designs using 3d printers.
As we gained more experience, we did more research and switched to better materials. Some of the parts we use are custom-made through “SendCutSend,” a service where you upload a model, they cut the parts in the material of your choice, and ship it back to you. We upgraded our controls too, from two bidirectional motor drivers to a more reliable single-board solution. Along the way, we tried some Arduino-based throttle mapping and steering assistance. With all the available image detection software, I’d like to go back and make an attempt at self-driving.
