Building a Winning Combat Robot - Split

Split is my attempt at a more meta style machine known as a '4WD Vertical Spinner'. This type has theoretical advantages in damage output and control, but theres more to building a robot than the concept. The robot is built from a mix of steels, carbon fiber and plastics designed to maximise durability and deliver a destructive Eggbeater style weapon. Entered into the 150g Robot Wars/Battlebots competition in wollongong, we'll see how my machine does against strong competition.

[MakersMuse]

Damn you Split! You cost me $4 in motors :P

[TrentSheather]

It would be cool to see a breakdown of where your weight budget goes for this and other robots. Perhaps a pie chart that shows the weight of each component and the mix of frame, weapon, power, and electronics elements.

[Shovel________________]

i find it funny how just flopping around until you're back on your wheels is actually a viable enough self righting solution with how light these bots are

[scotty]

Your driving control is absolutely phenomenal! Very measured but relentlessly aggressive.
Could you do a fight video with a split screen showing your controller? It would be interesting to see how you control like that. Maybe a vid on ESC/controller tuning?

[roboman]

4wd semi-invertible 'drum' spinners have been a solid design choice for many years now. I remember there being a TON of them in the 12 and 30 pound classes back in the mid-2000s. Not much has changed since then.

[Obviously_Robotics]

Let someone else win in Wollongong for once 😂

All jokes aside split is terrifying to fight but such a fun robot to watch

[rancidmarshmallow]

if there's one other thing to do, tighten up those forks! they flutter a lot with the weapon vibration, which is common. mounting them fixed in thin, flexible TPU pieces with a bit of preload or adding small torsion springs to keep them pressed to the floor will make getting under anything and everything more consistent.

[gerbil]

As much as you make a great little bot your driving is stellar. You out drove all your opponents thoroughly.

[newmonengineering]

Awesome winning streak. I like the design, and it seems very stable and steerable which is key to getting into the correct position for atrack

[saxon]

Every Aussie who isn't from SA knows that Adelaide is just a fever dream you get from crossing from WA to the east

[logical]

A video on your CAD though process would be good

[notoastu]

16:55 "smack it into the wall"

[pseudo.Random-KF]

2:43 From my understanding of physics, both types hit with the same force. The only benefit of a upwards vertical spinner is the added stress of gravity on your opponent. Since the force that sends your bot down is only cancelled by the earth, the only gain would be added control of the bot when attacking, as well as a possibly advantageous angle to attack from. However, there is a weight cost of the infrastructure required to withstand both the force from the attack and the force from the earth.

[jimbotron]

Would love a more detailed breakdown on what parts you used and how much every part weighs.

[vincentlewis]

Well, I'm looking forward to scale 3 fights on the videos next

[kurage_medusa]

16:55 "Smack it into the wall, put it back in" lol

[DazsdWTP]

that chainsaw robot should be called "sit stihl"

[PCBWay]

This is SO good, do more uploads pls! 👍👍

[MGFDLR]

That thing is mega powerful, you hit them like a riptide 😉

[arghjayem]

03:09 and not forgetting the gyroscopic effect a vertical spinner has on your bot 07:35 as demonstrated here. Also a well designed horizontal spinner can effectively work either way and isn’t bothered by being flipped🤷