Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

I have been asked numerous times if there are any adult robotics competitions - I haven't come across any recently - anyone know of any?

Specifically looking for events people out of school/college can participate in.

Thanks!

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

There's always Battlebots...

Or Combat Robotics in general.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

Combat robot competitions (Battlebots, Robogames, etc.) are open to all ages. There's also a variety of weight classes for whatever your budget and experience levels are.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

In addition to fighting with terrestrial robots, adults make them (and flying machines) dance, play soccer, and do other stuff.

Google is your friend.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

Back in the day there was the Milwaukee VEX Mentor Challenge. I don't know if it is still around anymore or not.
I've been playing around with the idea of recreating a version of that locally, but haven't ever followed through.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

The engineers and alumni from my team have enjoyed the power wheels racing series. Somebody else can probably chime in with more detail as I'm not in charge of that endeavor.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

Drone Racing may be the answer.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

AUVSI student competitions are really great and have a relatively cheap entree fee. The competitions are all pretty much autonomous and usually a week long and teams from all over the world compete. I competed in high school and then with an ASU team I created in college and it was always a good experience. You get to learn a lot from all the different teams and in reality, you can make a decent sub for probably 1-2k if you are smart about it. I definitely recommend!

Edit: Thought you said in college. Whoops

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

Unfortunately you still have to be connected to a school to participate in AUVSI.

SparkFun AVC is worth looking in to...although it's in Colorado.

NURC was fun while it lasted.

I play with cars in some fun competitions...been doing Drag Week for several years, and went on the inaugural LeMons Rally. But this stuff is a lot bigger than robots, and takes quite a large time/money commitment.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

For those interested in Combat Robots, http://sparc.tools/ is the place to get started. We just had a big competition at the Orlando Maker Faire.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

I have started doing drone racing. Its super fun to learn the builds and then fly them. There is also a Drone Racing League.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

I remember you guys from Detroit!

Power Racing is one of my absolute favorite engineering challenges. My husband (another 1257 mentor) and I have been involved in Power Racing for several years, and have had our own car for two years now. This year, a few students from 1257 joined in the fun by building their own car and racing in New York.

For those not familiar with Power Racing, we have a $500 budget to make a Power Wheels (or equivalent) car go fast, and then we race each other. There is a growing contingent of autonomous cars as well, which are typically smaller and not on the track at the same time as the traditional cars.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

The Rocket Pop crew was also some FRC mentors...I had a blast at Detroit racing.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

While there's all sorts of engineering, building, and even "build and drive a robot" competitions, there doesn't seem to be a popular, accessible adult robotics competition where robots play a sport like game with contact defense but no combat. This seems to be just the educational realm.

A Vex / FTC size competition of this sort would be a fun hobby on the side.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

For those who really want a water game, there are RC model battleship competitions. http://rcwarshipcombat.com/

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

I don't know as they are particularly accessible (certainly not if you're just looking for a small hobby), but there are the NASA Centennial Challenges, such as the Sample Return Robot Challenge that WPI has held the last several years.

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

The Google Lunar XPrize sounds like fun. :rolleyes: ;)

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

I was trying to start "Third RogueBotix" but no one ever bit on the idea really...:(

Re: Robotics Teams/Competitions for Adults
 

As a combat robotics competitor, I can definitely reccomend taking part in robogames/motorama/local events :D The way competitors get along with each other and help each other out in any way possible is the closest thing to FRC that I can think of. Best of luck to you if you pursue robot combat!