Purdue BoilerBots gearing up for North American, possibly international competition
Purdue RoboMaster has big ambitions for this year. After having competed in the North American RoboMaster competition in the past, the student organization is hoping to also compete internationally. The essence of RoboMaster lies in designing and building robots capable of engaging in battles. The competition is a platform where innovation, teamwork, and technical expertise intersect to push the boundaries of engineering.
Megan Earp, a sophomore in Electrical Engineering, says the team constructs various types of robots, each with unique functionalities and capabilities.
"All of our teams build a variety of robots that fit into different categories,” she says. “They all shoot little rubber bullets at each other, aiming specifically at armor plates."
The competition emulates the dynamics of a video game, where teams strive to reduce each other's health points by strategically targeting armor plates. Earp draws parallels to laser tag, highlighting the intensity and excitement of the battles. She says a pivotal aspect of RoboMaster is the diversity in robot types.
“That includes standard robots, hero robots for higher damage output, engineer robots for manipulation tasks, drones for aerial engagement, and sentry robots for autonomous combat,” says Earp.
Team president Yuxi Liu, who is majoring in Mechanical Engineering, says there are many challenges to building the robots and competing.
"The challenges are both technical and operational," says Liu. "Teams encounter issues ranging from mechanical malfunctions to algorithmic complexities."
Liu says overcoming these challenges requires collaboration and quick thinking, traits essential for success in both robotics and real-world scenarios.
Earp says participating in RoboMaster offers valuable learning experiences beyond the classroom.
"It's not just about building robots; it's about problem-solving, communication, and resilience," she says. "Handling emergency situations and working under pressure builds critical skills applicable in various fields."
Prior to the upcoming North American competition in Boulder, CO, Purdue RoboMaster will host an invitational on the West Lafayette campus to give teams a chance to test their robots. Earp says this is the only other RoboMaster competition in the country currently. It will take place March 23-24 in Stewart Center.
Earp says they have put together a North American Alliance to participate in the international competition, which is held in Shenzhen, China. Liu says in addition to partnering with other teams, that would require permission from Purdue University and determining the process to get the robots to China.