Servo - August 2009

EVENT REP RT:

Ohio Robot Club holds

9th HORD Event

● by Chris Olin

Thirty insect weight robots clashed at he 9th House of Robotic Destruction (HORD) hosted by the Ohio Robotics Club (ORC) — a member of the Robot Fighting League (RFL) — and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) in Cleveland, OH in May. Sixteen teams brought robots for the flea (150 g), Ant (1 lb), and Beetle ( 3 lbs) classes to fight for honor and glory in ORC’s 4x8 foot arena which features two 14x14 inch trap doors that open to reveal pits midway through the match.

The Flea weight class fought a three-way double round robin. Under Construction driven by Richard Kelley of Boiling Springs, PA pushed its way to the top, followed closely by fellow PENNBOT veteran Baby V driven by David Graham of Gettysburg, PA. Rookie bot Lefty driven by Chris Olin of Perry Township, OH came up short-handed and finished last.

Meanwhile in Ant Weight action, a total of 15 robots — including six student teams from CVCC and partner schools — clashed in an action filled double elimination tournament. A student-built robot named Wall-E — a traditional two wheeled wedge — nearly failed safety inspection when it came in over weight. However, a last minute modification got Wall-E under weight and back in the competition.

Driven by Independence High School student Matt Dedo, Wall-E pushed its way to the loser’s bracket semi final where it faced Richard Kelley’s The Rake. The match was a grueling pushing match that ended with The Rake grabbing Wall-E with his grappling arm and pushing Wall-E into the pits and third place.

The Rake then faced HORD Fall 2008’s second place winner Gilbert

driven by ace driver Thomas Kenney of Franklin, TN. Gilbert — a compact, low profile robot — had rammed its way through the winner’s brackets all the way to the finals. The Rake was unable to get a firm grip on the nimble Gilbert. Gilbert successfully got under The Rake and carried him to the pits, ending the match and securing the first place win.

The Beetle weight class featured 12 robots including two student teams from North Royalton High School —a CVCC partner school. The Winner’s bracket was dominated by HORD veteran and noted mad scientist Gene Burbeck’s new and improved One Fierce Lawn Boy Beetle. Lawn Boy’s spinning drum weapon carved a path of destruction through the winner’s brackets all the way to the finale. Meanwhile, HORD Fall 2008 second place winner Cloud of Suspicion — a four wheeled rammer/wedge driven by Thomas