Building a World Champion Sumo Robot with ESP32-S3

In this video, we built a custom ESP32-S3 (WROOM-1 module) based 1kg mini sumo robot, and won against our other robot which won the RoboRave World Championships just a few weeks ago.

This project involved designing 4 custom PCBs with KiCad 8, modelling and sketching 20 or more bodies in Fusion, and a solid 200 hours of work in total. If you're more onto the technical side of things (which is probably why you're reading this), there will be tutorials of how I made the BIG DECK, and the previous generation all in one controller boards. I learn all of the information for making my boards completely online (I don't have a tutor) from datasheets and application notes. If you're interested in the specs of the custom ESP32-S3 board featured in this video, read this:

- ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 Wireless MCU, based on ESP32-S3 chip, 240MHz dual-core, 2.4GHz WiFi 4, BLE 5 (more cost effective to use module instead of design from bare chip in some cases)
- Reverse polarity protection (and digital power switch attempted, but failed due to not thoroughly reading datasheet) with 0.5 milliohm MOSFET and AP74700Q (it only reverse polarity protects, when the gate drive is off, it'll just conduct through the parasitic body diode of the FET)
- Supply voltage stepped down to 5V (buck) for old sensors, and then 3.3V for main logic and MCU
- Input voltage up to 32V (prefer to keep it at 2S to 4S LiPo though accounting for transients)
- Dimensions: 60x40mm (I forgot the height, but the electrolytic capacitors are unnecessarily tall and I wish I didn't use those ones specifically)
- ESD protection on USB and battery voltage (can only be powered through battery, another whoopsie)
- Dual 32 amp (theoretical, not tested) brushed motor outputs (I've never ever caught them get hot enough to feel, they have an Rds on of 32 milliohms)
- 1880uF of capacitance in electrolytics, further 22uF close to each motor driver chip for sudden current draw
- Neopixel 1515 LED (very cute, same on as on Adafruit Qt Py S3)
Ok, enough waffling now, just stay tuned and subscribe if you've gotten this far!

0:00 Preparations
02:25 Competition
03:17 The aftermath
03:54 My BIG DECK
05:36 Fighting the winner

[ankundanelsoninnovator]

This is awesome.... Like the winning scene

[GeorgeCarson-rm]

Great Video! Love the impersonation of Michael Reeves.

[antoinecoppens]

That sumo robot’s victory had zero reactance to the world championship victory. Congrats! You completely short-circuited the competition!

[perezcarreraivanjose]

Congratulations🎉 for your podium, I encourage you to participate in profesional "mini sumo" competition, I believe there is a higher competition level in that category, but as you show, you have what it takes.
Greetings from Mexico

[grantcatdone]

in the robot club. straight up "soldering it". and by "it", haha, well let's justr say. My reactance.

[Loompia]

What motor drivers are those?? 32a is a strong lad

[debrawestbrook]

Do you think there would be reactance if I said to Lucy that she shouldn’t try and beat you in Sumo next year?

[Positive_Altitude]

This robot has some BIG DECK ENERGY lmao xD

btw that's exactly why I told you to apply the paste in ONE STROKE, when you do back and forth multiple times you get result like this :) You can make it much better.

good job!