Robot combat

Robot designs typically incorporate weapons for attacking opponents, such as axes, hammers, flippers, and spinning devices.

The below table shows classifications for two organizations: the UK-based Fighting Robots Association (FRA) and the North American SPARC.

[9] To encourage diversity of design, rules often give an extra weight allotment for robots that can walk rather than roll on wheels.

[7][8][10] Given the violent nature of robot fighting, safety is a central factor in the design of the venue, which is generally a sturdy arena, usually constructed of steel, wood, and bullet-resistant clear polycarbonate plastic.

[citation needed] Competition rules set limits on construction features that are too dangerous or which could lead to uninteresting contests.

Strict limits are placed on materials and pressures used in pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, and fail-safe systems are required for electronic control circuits.

Generally off-limits for use as weapons are nets, liquids, deliberate radio jamming, high-voltage electric discharge, untethered projectiles, and usually fire (allowed in heavyweight).

[citation needed] The sport has no overall governing body, though some regional associations oversee several events in managerial or advisory capacities with published rulesets.

This is among the most popular and destructive forms of weaponry, thanks to its potential to quickly deliver a high amount of kinetic energy over a small area.

Arguably the earliest example was Robot Wars Series 1 contestant Plunderbird, which could change between a pneumatic spike and a circular saw on an extendable arm.

[20] Sometimes, robots that were not originally Swiss army bots have had their weapons changed or altered on the fly, typically due to malfunctions.

Notably, the Robotica competitions allowed flame weapons and the release of limited quantities of liquids on a case-by-case basis.