The American Institute of Mechatronics Engineers (AIME) hosted a combat robotics fight, Robotronica, last Saturday. Where bots from various campuses and individuals gathered to participate in a tournament bracket-style battle.
In the event there were two arenas for different weight classes for 3 lbs and 1.5-2 lbs bots.
As the day progressed, bots from different campuses such as Berkley, Technology High School and those not associated with any school came to partake in the event hosted by Chico State’s AIME club.
Participants of the tournament would gather around the arenas when the fighters began. There were times when one bot would be pinned to the wall by an opponent and then the mediators would count down to declare an elimination.
When a bot got destroyed, one of the members of Chico State’s AIME Club would use a shovel to remove it from the arena.
Overall, participants across the board felt confident in their bots to perform well.
“I’m very optimistic. I’m optimistic that I will win at least one fight today,” said Alan Jang, who was part of the UC Berkeley team.
“They’re [the opponent] kind of an opposite archetype of this guy [Paquin’s bot], but I think I might have a good chance,” said Paul Paquin from Eldorado Hills, where he came voluntarily to the event, not affiliated with any school.
Paquin has been building robotics for five years, where he focused on building 12 lbs robots. Lately, though, he has been focusing on creating 3 lbs robots.
Paquin fought against his opponent’s bot and lost the match after the bottom of Paquin’s bot’s propeller broke off.
There was a live stream of each fight, with two commentators providing feedback, similar to sports broadcasting.
The event had bots go back and forth against each other, some were destroyed and were irreparable.
When Tylor Lynch, a senior on Chico State’s team, went against his opponent, he believed he could have repaired his 3-lbs robot.
“The motor, which I thought was totally fine. It turns out it is absolutely not fine,” Lynch said. “The can pulled off of the stater, it’s completely locked up. Doesn’t even spin anymore,”
Lynch’s bot was unable to proceed despite having only one single elimination. But he was still prepped with his plastic bot to go into the ring in the 1.5-2 lbs weight class.
There are 2 eliminations per bot. Once the player bot receives 2 eliminations, it is out for the rest of the tournament.
There were booths from various clubs and organizations present as Robotronica was taking place.
Brenden Masson can be reached at [email protected].
