Nov 2016 - Until become Yokozuna (横綱)
Robot Sumo: Path to Yokozuna Glory
Project Overview
Robot Sumo began in Japan over 30 years ago and has since grown into a global competition. It’s inspired by traditional sumo wrestling, where robots face off to push each other out of a metal ring, known as the "Dohyo".
The rules are straightforward: each robot must fit within a 20 by 20-centimeter footprint, with no limit on height and a maximum weight of 3 kilograms. However, the competition's intensity lies in the engineering challenges. Robots use neodymium magnets for extra grip, effectively increasing their weight up to 200 kilograms, giving them the power and traction needed to move quickly and stay balanced in a 1.54-meter ring. With speeds reaching 3 to 5 meters per second, matches are often over in seconds. The appeal of Robot Sumo is in the mix of power, speed, and precision required to succeed in these fights.
My Journey
I first got involved with Robot Sumo in 2016, driven by a simple curiosity to build a robot. As I dove into the project, I quickly realized how much there was to learn—everything from choosing materials to designing circuits and programming the robot’s movements. Over the years, I’ve experimented with materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and nylon and tried different manufacturing techniques, including CNC machining, laser cut, water jet cut and 3D printing of all kinds.
One of the most rewarding aspects of any project is transforming an idea into something tangible. It starts as a concept, evolves into a software or CAD model, and eventually becomes something you can hold in your hands. But the real magic happens when it all comes together, and the robot moves. After countless hours of thought, learning, mistakes, and perseverance, seeing your creation behave as expected is an incredible feeling. It makes all the effort worthwhile and is one of the most rewarding experiences.
How strong a robot sumo is?
Robot Sumo are built to move heavy objects, as they need to handle not only their own weight but also the force of pushing their opponents. However, each robot is different, with performance depending on factors like the gear reduction used and the type of motors powering it.
How fast a robot sumo is? (Don't blink)
Here, the robot moves straight, then turns left 90 degrees, and finally right 90 degrees, all in a split second—pretty fast, right?
How hard can they hit?
Very hard! These robots have to be engineered to withstand hard impacts, and when they’re not, you’ll see parts flying everywhere!
This journey embodies the essence of Robot Sumo—a philosophy rooted in the Japanese concept of "monozukuri," or learning by doing. Through hands-on experimentation, I have transformed theories into practice, exploring various technologies. Robot Sumo has been my playground for innovation, where I've honed my engineering skills and integrated hardware and software into a cohesive whole.
My goal is to eventually become the Yokozuna—the champion of Robot Sumo.
