Mini Combat Robot for All Ages - Fairyweight (150 Grams) Explained!

In this Instructable, I will be explaining all about combat robots - similar to the show Battlebots, but on a smaller scale.

By the end of this tutorial, you will have basic knowledge of how they work, where to get a combat robot kit, how to build one, and where to fight them. I will be talking about the "Viking" Fairyweight combat robot kit. It weighs 150 Grams, is the fastest that I have seen, and is the robot I personally use.

Here is the kit's direct link: https://www.combatrobotkits.com

*Since this intractable, their kits have updated. See all kits they offer using the link above*

What's a Fairyweight Combat Robot???

The term Fairyweight is referring to a combat robot weight class. A Fairyweight robot must weigh 150 Grams or less.

Why start with a Fairyweight robot?

Unlike its more destructive, heavier weight classes, Fairyweight robots are by far safer and the best robot class for a beginner interested in combat robots.

*The robots in the video are heavier weight classes, and much more destructive and take much more damage during combat meaning more expenses. (This is why you need to start with Fairyweights),

A combat robot could seem like a super hard task to build, but in this step, you will be able to understand the basics of a combat robot.

The receiver is the DNA of all the electronics, giving directions. Often, many of the things plugged into a receiver is called an ESC. An ESC is an electronic speed controller. The receiver is the brain of the combat robot, and the ESCs are the nerves that connect to the brain. Each ESC will plug into a motor and then be controlled by the receiver. The drive motors (which turn the wheels that move the robot) are the muscles of the robot, the ESC(s) are what control the drive motors (Nerves), and the receiver is the part that connects wirelessly to the transmitter (remote) and tells everything what to do. The battery has a positive and negative charge, represented by different color wires (red and black). These can be wired into the robot through the ESCs controlling the drive motors.

Hopefully this will help on the basics. This is why I recommend a kit before building your own robot so you can physically see how the robot works. If you are ambitious and would like to build your own Fairyweight first, this company sells a Fairyweight frame ( https://www.combatrobotkits.com/product-page/poly...) that you can put your electronics in. Its is extremely durable for its weight class.

Wheels - These are super grippy wheels that are press fit onto the motor. These rubber trimmed wheels have great traction for arena floors.

Drive Motors - Unmatched speed in Fairyweights, and extremely powerful. These have two places for esc wires too easily connect.

Drive Motor Controllers - These are what connect to the motors and the receiver. They tell the motors what to do after the receiver gives them a command.

Transmitter and Receiver - Worry-free building. Pre-programmed remote and receiver so you can control your robot with one stick! Just plug the Drive Motor Controllers into channel 1 and 2 of the receiver and your set!

Power Switch: The power switch allows you to turn your robot on and off through a plug! When the plug is in, you can charge your robot through it.

Battery: This is an extremely light and powerful battery running at 7.4 Volts.

*All these items I found from: https://www.combatrobotkits.com

You can fight your robot at different events all over the place! One of the best places to find an combat robot tournament is: www.buildersdb.com

Building your own: The best place to start is with a kit. You can sometimes modify your frame from the kit. This way your robots electronics are already wired from the kit.

Use obstacles to practice driving with moving targets so that you can improve your driving reflexes. Then test them in a local tournament!

Please comment if you would like more detailed combat robot tutorials or with any questions.