‘El Matador’ Wins Mini-Sumo Robot Competition

‘El Matador’ Wins Mini-Sumo Robot Competition – See Video

Submitted by CSTadmin
on July 16, 2013
- 7:00 pm

Mini-Sumo Robots lined up before Saturday's competition began. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com

Staff Report:

The Hive held its first Mini-Sumo robot competition Saturday, July 13. The competition was fierce, but the champ ended up being "El Matador" created and programmed by Allan Saenz and Nathan Burnside.

Prior to Saturday's competition, the Hive in White Rock held a three-night course to help competitors build their robots. Competitors learned about the components of their robot kits and how to solder parts onto circuit boards provided in the kit and instructions for programming the Arduino microprocessor.

Competitors had the option to use a pre-programmed "brain board" that controlled the robot's sensors and movement or opt to use an Arduino microprocessor and program the microprocessor themselves using a version of the C programming language.

The first prize at Saturday's competition was a box of 70 sensors that can be used to improved a robot in the future. Second place was won by Tim Hamlin, the creator of "Tumo." Third place was shared by Greg Kendall with "Zorcon II" and John Dunn with "Blue Meanie." Andrei and Victor Popa-Simil shared fourth place with "Little Jimmy" and Steven Dunn with "Roboticus."

The Hive plans to teach more circuit building and Arduino programming classes in the future. More Mini-Sumo robot competitions are planned as well. Contact David Jones at the Hive for more details at 505-660-6992.

The video below shows a couple of the better matches from the competition and the awards ceremony. Video by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com.

Victor and Andrei Popa-Simil with their Robot "Little Jimmy." Little Jimmy featured a two-speed motor that kicks into high gear when a competitor hits the front bumper. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com