FIGURE 18.
FIGURE 20.
Hack-A-Bot workshops in
support of National
Robotics Week. Hack-A-Bot is a program started
by PennBots as a
partnership with the
Mount Holly Springs
Library, in Mount Holly
Springs, PA. Participants
pay a nominal fee
(usually around $20) and
in return receive an RC
toy that can be hacked
into a fighting robot.
PennBots provides
the RC toys, construction
materials, tools, and
advice/help on how to
hack the RC toys to meet
the Ant weight limit, how to add armor/weapons, and
driving strategy. Following several hours of construction,
testing, and practice, Hack-A-Bot workshops culminate in a
44 SERVO 08.2011
FIGURE 22.
FIGURE 19.
FIGURE 21.
FIGURE 23.
double elimination tournament in a fighting robot arena.
After several hours of hacking (Figure 9 shows
PennBots’ Dick Kelley melting hot glue with his soldering
gun??), the morning workshop participants (Figure 10)
completed a double elimination tournament and then
competed in a robot rumble (Figure 11). Afternoon
participants (Figure 12) continued the robotic construction
and destruction with afternoon winner Pizza Flipper going
vertical during an elimination match (Figure 13).
As an added incentive, Hack-A-Bot workshop
participants were invited back to the National Electronics
Museum the weekend of April 30th – May 1st to
participate in a fighting robot competition as part of
RobotFest.
