LEGO Robotics Group of Ann Arbor

Sumo-bot 5 - 9/20/2003

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As the name suggests, Sumo-bot 5 was our fifth robotic sumo wrestling event. This time stands out from the rest mainly because it was by far the largest event we have hosted with 34 competing robots from some 19 different builders. We actually had to leave Rob's basement and rent a room in the Michigan Union to hold the event in. Even with the larger room, we filled it to capacity for most of the 6 hours we were there. This was also the first event we made any sort of press release for. Having been listed in the Ann Arbor Observer's Calendar section garnered us many interested spectators. There were loads of kids running around wanting to get as close as possible to the robots. The presence of so many children for most of the day certainly contributed to the fun atmosphere that prevailed for the entire event.

This event also stands out as being the only event since he started competing with us that Steve did not win. He was as surprised as the rest of us when Dizzy, the robot his wife Heather brought, went undefeated to be the event winner (although it goes without saying that Steve had a lot to do with the construction and programming of Dizzy). The rules were adapted to include 2 classes of robots, open class which could use any LEGO elements as well as homebrew sensors and electronics, and RIS only class which is limited to the contents of an official LEGO Robotics Invention Set. LRGoAA member Gabriel took home the trophy for highest ranking RIS only robot, RISDozer, and a new competitor to our group, Kerby, took home the People's Choice award for his excellent and funny robot named Gyro.

Steve being Steve was able to pull some strings and get LEGO to donate official prizes for the winners. LEGO gave us 4 SpyBot sets and loads of marketing materials to give out at the event provided our event was open to all and free (which they always are). This added to the fun since we decided to give one SpyBot to a randomly chosen robot as a door prize. Ben and his robot killer were the lucky recipients of the door prize SpyBot.

All in all this was one great day that taught us a lot about hosting larger events. We are now planning on an anual robotic sumo wrestling event on this scale, so if you didn't make it to Sumo-bot 5 you have about 1 year to get that robot built in time for Sumo-bot 6!

Below are the results of the 4 rounds we played in the round robin portion of the event. Since Dizzy was the clear winner, being undefeated and all, we didn't need a play off for the event winner trophy. However, there was a 3-way tie for highest ranking RIS only robot, so we had a play off round. Beerdozer played against RISDozer and lost. Then Little D went against RISDozer and lost, which left RISDozer the RIS only class winner.

Rank	Robot Name	Wins	Points	Win %	Point %	Builder's Description
1	Dizzy by Heather Hassenplug	4	19	100	79	A stripped down version of a Brickfest favorite
2	Chip by Matt Hassenplug	3.5	15	87	62	After appearing in the Maze Event Chip is ready to run again as a Sumo-Bot. More of an exibition entry, Chip is a true featherweight at just 10oz.
3	Knife II by Steve Hassenplug	3	20	75	83	This is the returning champion from Sumo-bot 4. It has several other event wins, in various forms. Some changes have made this version a little weaker than previous designs, to allow for other "improvements".
4	Radar II by Kerby Hughes	3	16	75	66	An upgrade of Radar, Radar II features a better opponent detection program.
4	Little D by Jona Jeffords	3	16	75	66	A RIS Only version of Dubya.
4	Combine II by Steve Hassenplug	3	16	75	66	Another strong robot and three time event winner, this champion entered Sumo-bot 4, and finished a disapointing fifth, but hopes to make a better showing at Sumo-Bot 5.
5	Beerdozer by Neal Probert	3	15	75	62	Looks like a bulldozer, but carries a beer can.
5	Plow King X-1 Advanced by John Brost	3	15	75	62	This design incorporates many design advances learned from previous robots, "The Plow" and "Plow King".
6*	RisDozer by Gabriel Petrut	3	14	75	58	Features touch edge detection and light proximity detection.
7	Manticore by Andrew Dykstal	2.5	13	62	54	The body of a lion and the head of a human... sort of.
7	Pie by Stephanie Puckett	2.5	13	62	54
8	Killer by Brian Davis	2.5	12	62	50	Actually, built by my six-year-old son, Ben. Driven by a minifig (with helmet, of course).
9	Dubya by Jona Jeffords	2.5	11	62	45	Regime change starts at home. Aggressive, enemy seeking, 2 lb., pushing robot.
10	Enter Name Here by Steve Hassenplug	2.5	10	62	41	This tracked masterpiece skipped right over the design phase and went directly into construction, with little or no thought about functionality. And it shows.
11	Reactor II by Steve Hassenplug	2	13	50	54	This is a new & improved version of Reactor, from Sumo-bot 4. It's waiting to compete in Sumo-Bot 5. Really. It's just sitting there waiting. That's what it does.
11	B-3V2 (Real Dozer Too) by Steve Hassenplug	2	13	50	54	This robot will make you fall asleep... It's a design first used by my nephew at Brickfest last year. I built a successful version for the Science Central event last month. (It won the event)
12	Lucas 1 by Lucas Starrett	2	12	50	50	Nothing special here
12	MERamp by Brian Davis	2	12	50	50	A random attempt at a bladed or ramp-fronted Sumo-bot. What it lacks in planning, well, it lacks. But I'll bet has an even thinner front edge than Blade...
12	Proof of Concept by Rob Kahlbaum	2	12	50	50	tiny wedge like thing to test a theory.
13	Biteoge by Brian Davis	2	10	50	41	Dual-wheel drive in a skirt with a counter-rotating row of wheels in front. I might use proximity detection... if I can get it working in the next 24 hours or so. Sigh...
13	Side Swipe by John Brost	2	10	50	41	Monkey-driven two wheel drive robot
14	Dragon by Stephanie Puckett	2	9	50	37
15	Caffeine by Andrew Dykstal	1.5	10	37	41	Hyperactive!
16	laserEye by Paul Haas	1.5	9	37	37	It's got laser based object detection that it uses to detect the other robot or something. Once it detects something, it runs into it. If it isn't actually the other robot, it runs off the edge. Tank style steering, 2 wheels on each side, one motor p
17	Platform by Gabriel Petrut	1	12	25	50	Sort of Stealth Fighter. Features light edge detection and dual IR proximity detection.
18	Gluteous Maximus by Greg Dykstal	1	10	25	41	Named after a not-so-famous Roman emperor.
18	Mini-Skirt 3 by Jona Jeffords	1	10	25	41	The third in the Mini-Skirt line. A new modular design is employed that utilizes the HALO and the SPIKE modules. Other modules are sure to follow.
19	Wolverine by Greg Dykstal	1	9	25	37	M go Blue!
20	Team Spybot by Heather Hassenplug	1	8	25	33	An advanced two-robot team entry
20	SHBot by Cort Starrett	1	8	25	33	This is a standard robot, programmed with ROX Software's UML Model Compiler.
21	Something by Pavel Chvykov	0.5	7	12	29	go me!!!
22	Toothless Tiger by Timothy Massey	0.5	6	12	25	A name in honor of my daughter.
23	SpyBlade by Gabriel Petrut	0.5	5	12	20	Spybot Sumo Robot. Features touch edge detection and Spybot's radar for proximity detection.
24	Gyro by Kerby Hughes	0.5	2	12	8	An entry that makes sumo more fun!
*: RISDozer won the post round robin play-offs to become the RIS only class champion.

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