Building Robots with LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT

Chapter 20. Hand-to-Hand Combat

Solutions in this chapter:

• Building a Robotic Sumo

• Attack Strategies

• Getting Defensive

• Testing Your Sumo

Introduction

The contests described in other chapters are more specific to those where each competitor has its turn, and the results compare the individual performances. In this chapter, we’ll talk about competitions where the rival robots fight face to face in a more spectacular way.

In our experience, sumo is one of the most suitable kinds of competition for small robots, offering the opportunity to test an incredible range of techniques that may prove useful in all your projects, not just during contests. We will take a look at variations on some familiar solutions—such as bumpers and the use of the ultrasonic sensor—and ...