University hosts UK National Robot Combat Championships as lecturer wins UK title
Last weekend, the University of Chichester hosted the UK National Combat Robot Championship. Roboteers from all across the country brought their robots down to compete at the University’s Tech Park in Bognor Regis for an exciting day of tough competition.
The event was run by Gareth Anstee, a lecturer at the university. Gareth is a former winner of Robot Wars Live and reigning champion of the UK National Combat Robot Championship.
Engineering degree students helped create the special robot combat arena. They designed a dedicated control panel to manage complicated lighting sequences, battle timings and the pneumatic pit trap that robots activate to push their opponents in and claim victory.
In their first and second years at the university, students create their own combat robots to compete against their peers in the combat arena. Unlike many universities, this gives students valuable practical skills and application of theoretical principles that are in demand in the workplace.
Student Jack Lloyd said: “I jumped at the opportunity to help design the lighting and trap controls for the Robot Combat arena. I grew up with Robot Wars. Chichester gave me the opportunity to get hands-on with an exciting practical project that I could see come to life and appreciated by some of the biggest names in the sport. I don’t know of any other universities offering opportunities like this. I can apply the knowledge I’ve learned during my time here and now I’ve already started building a portfolio I can take with me throughout my career.”
Two students went on to enter their robots into the nationals. While they may not have secured victory against their lecturer, they were both able to hold their own against some of the country’s best in the sport.
Lecturer Gareth Anstee was once again victorious in this year’s Championships. Gareth said: “After winning my first UK Championship last year, it was hard to know if another would come any easier. There was a big step up this year in the quality throughout the field, and after being undefeated last year there were some early losses to contend with from some amazing new robots. Luckily, Revolt was able to pull through and get into a stride, but has certainly taken a lot more damage than it has ever done before. I look forward to defending the title again at Chichester next year hopefully, but if the competition takes another step up – it’s going to be a challenge to get to the finals again.”
Summing up his experience competing this year, student Toby Andrews added: “Competing in combat robotics has opened so many opportunities for me. Every event pushes my engineering, creativity, and problem-solving skills further. It’s also boosted my CAD (Computer-Aided Design) abilities tenfold. I’ve now designed over ten competition-ready robots, each one teaching me something new. Those designs have become a portfolio of their own, helping me move into new projects as a lead designer. This sport has shaped who I am as an engineer, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.”
The event was sponsored by the IMechE (Institute for Mechanical Engineers).
