Combat robotics is an action-packed competitive sport that pits two robots against one another with the goal of destroying the other. UChicago Robotics’s combat robotics division creates radio-operated combat robots that regularly participate in insectweight (1lb, 3lb) and featherweight (30lb) competitions at both the local and national-level, such as in competitions like Robobrawl and NHRL.
The 30lb featherweight project is the combat division's primary project, worked on by all returning members and select new members of the division. Our 30lb robots are custom machined out of specialty materials like AR500 and UHMW-PE among others. All designing, wiring, and assembling is done in-house.
Kevin was our first ever combat robot, designed in 2023 and competed at Robobrawl 2023. Kevin is a drisk-configuration dual-motor tank drive with a top speed of 22 mph and a weapon tip speed of 500 mph. Kevin is machined out of 7075 aluminum for the frame and 4140 steel for the weapon.
Michelle is our latest 30lb robot, designed in 2026 and competed at Robobrawl 2026. Michelle is a horizontal-configuration two-wheel drive powered by two planetary gearboxed motors and a belt-driven weapon with a custom variable tensioning system. Michelle's is machined out of 7075 aluminum and UHMW-PE for the frame and AR500 steel for the weapon.
The 3lb beetleweight project is the combat division's latest project, worked on by select new and returning members. The combat division's current and future 3lb robots are designed and built in smaller teams.
The combat division currently operates one 3lb robot Humboldt. Humboldt is a drum spinner dual-motor belted tank drive made of custom machined UHMW-PE, carbon composite, 4340 steel, 7075 aluminum ,and 3D-printed TPU. Humboldt will be competing at the October 3rd NHRL in Norwalk, Connecticut.
The 1lb antweight project is the combat division's most accessible and largest project by robots built and is worked on by new and returning members. We make both plastic antweights (PLAnt) and full-combat antweights that compete in local competitions such as Design Print Destroy.
Our plastic antweights are 3D-printed out of PLA and use minimal off-the-shelf components. Plastic antweights are the most accessible weight class in combat robotics and many division members enjoy the rapid iteration that can be achieved with plastic antweights. UChicago Robotics hosts a plastic antweight competition every quarter, with some competitions being open to the public for local competitors.
Our full-combat antweights use a combination of 3D-printed nylon and TPU, and custom-machined AR500, titanium, and carbon composite components. Currently, the combat division only operates prototype full-combat antweights while working towards full-production versions.
The combat division hosts the Battle in Hyde Park every quarter, a combat robotics tournament with 10 to 24 plastic antweight robots competing at each event. The events are open to the public for spectating and the autumn quarter and fall quarter are open for local builders in the Chicagoland area to compete with their robots.