Battle Bots March 2023 Challenge

Image for Battle Bots March 2023 Challenge

Taking inspiration from British TV show Robot Wars, Telstra Creator Space is hosting its third Battle Bots Challenge!   Up to 15 teams and their ferocious fighting machines battle it out in the Battle Bot Arena (aka Telstra Creator Space Test Bed) for the chance to be crowned Battle Bots March 2023 Champion!

Checkout the Battle Bots February 2023 challenge

Battle Bots Arena with spectators

Here is your chance to design, build, test and battle your own robot for battle glory and prizes!

  • 1st Prize : $150 gift card for team
  • 2nd Prize : $100 gift card for team
  • 3rd Prize : $50 gift card for team

Prizes are thanks to Telstra.

Take part in Robot Wars!

Registrations are now open to take part in the Battle Bots March 2023 Challenge on Thursday 30 March. Form a team (up to 3) of your own, enter as an individual or ask us buddy you up.

Please complete the Registration form and we will contact you with further information to confirm your spot.  General Maker training (mandatory), Introduction  to Electronics and Soldering and Laser Cutting training courses are highly recommended.

Returning participants? Welcome back! Please complete the registration form again to confirm your participation.

  • Registration Open: 1 - 30 March 2023
  • Launch and Kits available from: 1 March 2023
  • Build Support: 1 - 30 March 2023
  • Qualification Checkpoint deadline : 24 March 2023
  • Battle challenge: 30 March 2023 12-2pm *You and your team must commit to this day to enter*

How will it work?

Starter Kits:

Telstra Creator Space will provide you with a basic loan kit of

  • Arduino Uno x2
  • L298 motor controller
  • DC Motors x2
  • M12 12v Milwaukee tool batteries + 9V batteries x2 (you can choose)
  • RF transmitter and receiver to get you started.

Servo motors, buttons, switches, jumper cables will be available too. You are welcome to use materials and off cuts in the space to create your weapons or source elsewhere. At the end of the battle, you can choose to give it back or enter the upcoming challenge!

Build Rules for Battle Bots #3

All battle bots will need to adhere to the Build Rules to qualify for entry into the challenge.

Safety:

  1. All bots must be inspected by TCS team member prior to testing or competing to ensure they are safe to use. Systems deemed hazardous will not be permitted to run.
  2. All materials used for the construction of battle bots must be non-hazardous.
  3. All energy sources must be appropriately contained. E.g., fuses, pressure relief valves, positive stops.
  4. Energy sources such as compressed gas systems (pressure vessels, lines, unions etc.) must use commercial components.
  5. Explosives or combustion of any kind is prohibited.
  6. Teams are encouraged to obtain clarifications on rules or systems prior to competition day.
  7. There will be 10 fuel cells attached to the walls and floors of the arena.
  8. Bots must be powered by a Milwaukee M12 2Ah oe 3Ah battery (TCS will provide battery, connector, and housing or alternative).
  9. Electrical systems above 12V are not permitted.

Weapons:

  1. No more than 2 weapons are permitted per bot. Weapons are defined as any device which has, or appears to have, the intention of destroying fuel cells.
  2. Projectiles or lasers of any kind are prohibited.
  3. Projectiles are defined by the common understanding of them.
  4. Any weapon deemed unsafe to operate, must be removed prior to competition.
  5. Weapons must be made from materials deemed to be non-hazardous.

Competition Rules:

  1. The goal of this round is to score 16 points by popping fuel cells in an arena.
  2. Fuel cells will be towed by bots and attached to the floor and walls of the arena.
  3. Bots must tow three fuel cells.
  4. Fuel cells must be attached at the rear of the bots.
  5. Fuel cells must be within a 250mm radius from the rear of the bot.
  6. Fuel cells must have clear access for 180 degrees in the horizontal plane and 90 degrees in the vertical plane. No shields are to be employed.
  7. Fuel cell attachment points will be within 295mm of the floor.
  8. Fuel cells attached to the bot are worth five points if popped.
  9. Fuel cells around the arena are worth one point if popped.
  10. The arena will contain obstacles. See image below for arena layout.
  11. The arena will be contained within a 4m x 4m square.
  12. The minimum clearance between obstacles and walls in the arena will be 600mm.
  13. Bots will start in opposing corners of the arena.
  14. Only one bot is allowed per competition entry.
  15. A bot is any device that can move under its own power.
  16. Only one radio controller per team is allowed for competition.
  17. Radio controls will be scrutineered by staff before participation. Please show staff your controller implementation early to prevent having to change it later.

Battle Bots #3 Arena Layout

Build Support

The Telstra Creator Space team are available at all times during opening hours to assist you and your team with the build.  Save time and use the Telstra Creator Space team to assist you in troubleshooting  your problems!

Qualification checkpoint - New!

To help have more bots ready for the battle, we have introduced a checkpoint a week before to help make sure you are ready for the challenge.  Teams will need to show a Telstra Creator Space team member that your bot can move in a forward direction before 5pm on Friday 24 March to participate.

Test Early, Test Often

The track will be setup in the Test Bed ready for your testing from Monday  27 March all the way up to the challenge.

On the day

Battle Bot March 2023 Challenge will be held on Thursday 30 March from 12pm at Telstra Creator Space, in the Test Bed. Visitors welcome for this session. Closed toe shoes are a must! At the end of the challenge, we ask participants to join a 15min retrospective to understand what worked well,  not so well and what  opportunities exist for upcoming battles.