BrooksBots

RoboMagellan

FireBall

Videos

ExSpurt

ExSpurt Tires

ExSpurt Strategy

Executioner

Extrasensory II

Expressway

Extrasensory

Excuse II

75 lbs Sumo

Excuse

Expendable

Exhume

Mighty Man

Sticky

Flaming P'nut

Exert-O'Meter

Runt

Wall Follower

SPAR Videos

Expendable

Expendable 3Kg Trick SumoExpendable Sonar JammersSumo robot competition was becoming too serious, so Expendable was created for the Summer 2003 NEIRG event.

Expendable started with a Parallax Boe-Bot kit. Two Hi-Tec HS-925MG servos are driven by external FET H bridges and a Pololu Dual Serial Motor Controller. A carbon fiber “scoop” replaces the original white plastic ball of the Boe-Bot. Eight AA Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries and molded silicone tires complete the drive train. Yes, the Boe-Bot is running backwards for this application.
Expendable IR sensor boardAn add-on perforated board holds the five IR emitters and detectors for opponent detection. The perforated board is mounted on Lego’s attached to the BOE. The sonar mounted above the chassis is for jamming the opponent’s sonar. Four black audio transducers play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” before every bout. An alarm sounds whenever Expendable locked onto an opponent. Control is provided by a BS2SX, of course.
Does this look like Dr. Frank-N-Furter?Red foam rubber lips are intended to strike fear into Expendable’s opponents. The lips turned out to be Expendable’s most effective weapon. Could it be that most autonomous sumo robots are afraid of a little intimacy? The red feather boa seemed like an appropriate addition and the Daisies appear tacky enough.
Expendable Bottom showing Battery PackExpendable weighs 1 pound 7.4 ounces and can push 3 pounds 11 ounces. Its top forward speed is 27.4 inches per second.
Expendable Side ViewThe sonar jammers proved too much for everyone except Shunji with its IR sensors. A third place finish behind Shunji and Sticky was fortunate considering all the opposition was four times heavier.