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ItGresa Robotics Logo - your source for combat robotics
ItGresa Robotics Logo - your source for combat robotics
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Side view of Fingertech Viper combat bot

COMBAT ROBOT KITS

Hashibira blade for combat robotics with black oxide finish and mechanicals side view

WEAPONS

Malenki Nano ESC HV High Voltage

ELECTRONICS

EXPERIENCED BUILDERS:

Find the parts you need in stock, quick ship!

Our goal is to support robot fighting.  We think the best way to do that is to always have the parts, and to stock what the Builders need.

We have great partnerships with some of the best in the business, including Fingertech and Robot Power.  If we don’t have it, and you want it, we’ll  consider stocking it- even if you’re the only one who buys it.  Tell us what you’d like at info@itgresa.com and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re like you- builders who are passionate about robots and technology.  We started teaching kids about robotics almost ten years ago.  From there, we learned about combat robotics and worked our way into fighting our own bots.  You can see John’s very first fight here using a  Fingertech Viper weaponized with a horizontal spinner.

From then on, we were hooked, and our interest grew into custom bots, CAD, custom weaponry, and more.  Our Team opened an e-commerce arm of ItGresa Consulting Group, Inc. – and ItGresa Robotics was born!

We ship from the US, so your time-to-receive parts should be shorter.  ItGresa has a fantastic partnership with Fingertech and Robot Power, and we keep our prices in line with theirs.  Give us a try!

 

NEW TO ROBOT COMBAT:

Get Started with Robot Fighting!

You’ve seen it on TV and in theaters, shows like Battlebots, and movies like Big Hero 6:  robot fighting!  And maybe you wanted to give it a shot but had no idea how to get started.

It’s not as hard as you might think. To get started requires a little bit of mechanical ability, an ability to figure things out and troubleshoot, some determination, and some time.

For the smaller robot sizes, fighting robots is certainly less expensive than a regular golf game. It’s a great way for parents to spend time with their kids, and to give them a great grounding in STEM.  Fighting Robots is a way to challenge your creativity and your skills.

Combat robots, despite their seeming complexity, require no programming skills. The bots are controlled by radio controllers– similar to an RC car or plane.

We have a very basic guide on how to get started here.  We suggest that you start with a basic kit, like our Viper Bundle.

Take the leap!  We’re here to help you, every step of the way.

 

Excellent customer service, and fantastic communication.”

Drew Monteith

OUR BEST SELLING PRODUCTS:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How can I get started in Combat Robotics?

Great Question! We get that one a lot. So much so that we’ve created a simple five-point plan to help you go from the very basics to advanced design.  Check it out here: Getting Started in Combat Robotics.

Are there classes or types of Combat Robots for competitions?

Yes.  Classes are generally weight-based, but there are special subclasses that modify the weight classes.  See this table:

Class

FRA

Fighting Robots Association

(UK)

SPARC

Standardized Procedures for the advancement of Robot Combat

(N. America)

Fairyweight N/A 0.33 pounds (0.15 kilograms or 150 grams)
Antweight 0.15 kg (0.33 lb) 1 lb (0.45 kg)
Beetleweight 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) 3 lb (1.4 kg)
Mantisweight N/A 6 lb (2.7 kg)
Hobbyweight N/A 12 lb (5.4 kg)
Dogeweight N/A 15 lb (6.8 kg)
Featherweight 13.6 kg (30 lb) 30 lb (14 kg)
Lightweight 30 kg (66 lb) 60 lb (27 kg)
Middleweight 55 kg (121 lb) 120 lb (54 kg)
Heavyweight 110 kg (240 lb) 220 lb (100 kg)
Alternative Heavyweight Class N/A 250 lb (110 kg)

In practice, however, most people talk about four classes using these names:  fairyweight, antweight (1 lb), beetleweight (3 lb), and “Battlebots” – class (250 lb).  The other classes are generally just referred to by poundage (ex: 12 lb, 30 lb), instead of by class name.

There are special class modifiers.  For instance, the “Plastic class” are bots in which all of the structural members must be made of particular plastics.

The “Sportsman class” are bots without Kinetic Energy (KE) weapons, such as spinners.

 

 

What about Combat Robotics rules?

Rules have been generally standardized under the SPARC ruleset, (SPARC:  Standardized Procedures for the Advancement of Robot Combat).  However, in practice, Event Organizers often deviate to a certain extent to make for a better match or to allow for local variation or preference.  

SPARC has created methods to allow for this variation and suggests the use of a SPARC-compliant icon to clearly indicate “pure” SPARC rules vs some level of variation.

Where can I find Combat Robotics events?

We have a consolidated list we do our best to keep updated here https://itgresa.com/combat-robotics-events/ 

One of the best sites with listings of events is:  https://www.robotcombatevents.com/

Another is:  https://www.buildersdb.com/

 

Is Combat Robotics good for kids?

Heck, yes!  We’re big believers in combat robotics for kids!  We think it’s a great thing.

Our own kids started at around ages 8 or 9.   They started with weaponized Viper kits.   You can see John’s very first fight here.

That has worked out well for the boys and for us as parents. Their excitement and interest in combat robotics have led them to learn CAD, start 3D printing, decide to take engineering in high school.  They are both now planning to attend one of the best engineering schools in the country.

As a parent, you’ll need to spend time with your kids as they learn combat robotics.  They’ll need help putting the bot together and interpreting instructions.  You can also help them understand what the important parts of the bots do, and how they work together.

One critical thing, though– safety.  Safety isn’t a big problem with unweaponized antweights or beetleweights, wedges or even lightweight lifters.  Once you get into weapons beyond wedges and lifters, though, safety becomes critically important.  Kids can’t understand the gravity and seriousness of the damage that weapons can do.  That’s your job — you’re the responsible adult.

DON’T let your child test their weaponized bot without a test box.  A test box is a box sturdy enough to allow you to spin up the weapon and protect you, and your children, from any damage.   Resist the temptation to just “try it out.”  Nothing is worth potentially seriously injuring your children or yourself.

And test boxes are easy to make.  If you’re handy enough to build a combat robot, odds are that you’re handy enough to build a test box.  All to takes is a few materials you can get at Home Depot, and a few tools.

Here is a video of how to build a basic test box:  https://youtu.be/hrPUCCNO4-Q

Here’s another from Just Cuz Robotics:  https://youtu.be/qdSkZc4kfAw

Here’s one from Robert Cowan:  https://youtu.be/Xmkoan5qBwo

Don’t like videos?  Here’s a blog entry by Ryan Clingman from Absolute Chaos Robotics:  https://absolutechaosrobotics.wordpress.com/2020/06/19/new-test-box/

Be safe with your kids– build a test box.   

 

 

 

Our BLOG:

Building your Viper

Building your Viper

Check out the full set of instructions on building your Viper here, with links to key content. This gets you the whole enchilada!

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