How to Enter Robot-Building Contests

Robot-building competitions for students occur all over the United States every year. The robotic functions performed in these different contests vary from a robot that can serve as a waiter at a fancy party to remote-controlled cars that can push balls around a ring. If you have the robot-building bug, then here are a few tips to get you on your way to championship robot design.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Find various robot competitions over the Internet (see Resources below); many contests are only for students and educators. You'll find some corporate and military competitions that have few requirements for entry but much more complicated tasks to complete.
2. Seek funding. Whether you are a self-funded billionaire or a public school teacher, consider seeking grants or try a bake sale. Regardless of your funding source, robotics competitions can be very expensive and require large sums of money for parts and travel to the competition.
3. Build your robot. Pay careful attention to the design parameters set forth in your chosen competition's rule book. Rules tend to change with competitor feedback, so check back frequently with the rules committee.
4. Test your robot before going to the event. When you check the rules, you should find good documentation of the course that your robot will be expected to contend with. Test your robot's maneuvering and sensing ability on your own practice track.
5. Pack your equipment carefully. It would be a shame to be disqualified for having an inoperable machine due to shipping damage.
6. Compete in a friendly and professional manner. Innovations in technology result from these friendly competitions due to the participants extending ideas and help to one another.

Tips & Warnings

• Georgia Tech in Atlanta has long been a sponsor of a collegiate-level robot design contest.