The fight is on. Again. It’s the fifth annual Smackdown in Sactown battle of the bots, noon-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 in the University Union.
Mini robots will do battle in the competition sponsored by Sacramento State College of Engineering and Computer Science students.
“Like with the once-popular TV shows ‘Battle Bots’ and ‘Robo Wars,’ Smackdown in Sactown is a fight to the death of robots,” says Bryan Solari, a Sacramento State mechanical engineering student. “Only here, the robots are limited in weight to one pound or less.”
The robots battle until they are disabled, flipped over or pushed into a hole. Because of their light weight, brute force is out and operators have to be more creative in their robot designs, says Sue Holl, faculty advisor for competitive robotics. Instead of swinging clubs, mini robots use miniature saws, and other mechanical items to grab, to flip and push their opponents.
The Smackdown is open to the public and anyone can compete. Trophies will be given for first and second place and for most creative robot. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 people through the door.
The expo will also feature projects built by students in the college’s competitive clubs. Displays will include a mini Baja car, a formula race car, remote-controlled helicopters and a hover craft.
The competition is part of the annual Engineering Expo. The Expo is free and open to the public. For more information on the Smackdown or expo, visit www.sacbots.org.
About the writer: Sacramento State’s Mike Ward can be reached at mward@csus.edu
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