Give Yourself
a Wedgie!
by Zachary Lytle
As a four-time RoboGames champion, I am frequently asked how to get started
in combat robotics. Personally, I always recommend building a wedge for your
first robot because you don't want to start off with anything too complicated.
Wedges are durable and easy to repair, which are the two most important
qualities in your first robot. Plus, let’s not forget that the current RoboGames
heavyweight champion Original Sin is basically a gigantic wedge robot. In this
article, I will show you how to build a wedge platform from scratch using
common household tools. The boxes are locked, the lights are up, and the arena
is waiting for you, so let‘s get started!
The tools and parts you’ll need to construct
your wedge are listed on the next page. The
total cost of these parts should be around
$320. Starting with the appropriate materials
can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Let’s begin.
BUILDER
TIP: Always
weigh your
parts to see
how much
poundage
you have to
work with.
42 SERVO 10.2012
