The inaugural Arena Grand Opening of Robot Rampage took place last week in Auckland, an event that showcased the dangerous and entertaining world of robotic combat. This grand event presented an array of robot fighters, designed and controlled by teams or solo robotics enthusiasts. Truly embodying the spirit of their creators’ styles and tactics, these robots, each weighing less than 13.6 kilograms, were armed with an assortment of weapons including spinning saws and triangular scoopers. Encased in a bulletproof and iron cage for safety, this grand event marked the first of its kind in the country and drew a large crowd.
With strategically decided names such as Blue Rose, Noodle Box, MJOLNIR, and Bad Blood, these robots demonstrated their individuality not only in technical prowess but also in style. Some even flaunting decorative hats or stickers, their designs ranged from sleek and shiny to rough-hewn masses of metal. The loud clashes and buzzing of spinning weapons filled the air, resulting in a cacophony that gave the spectators quite the thrill.
The event was held in a three-meter square robustly built and battle-scarred cage, situated in the depths of Onehunga. It boasted of large TV screens that live-streamed various angles of the spectacular fight caught by mounted cameras. Setting a mini gladiatorial stage, the matches were exhilarating, leaving the audience eager for each subsequent battle. The battles concluded when one robot became inactive for more than 10 seconds or if both survived for three minutes, sending the decision to the panel of judges who considered damage inflicted, robots’ aggression, and control of the fight.
Before the onslaught, the robots were generally immobilized until they reached the arena, and their makers used screwdrivers to invigorate them. The ensuing clash would scatter pieces of them across the arena, which needed to be swept clean before the advent of the next battle.
Once dismissed from the battlegrounds, robots would be received by their makers in pit stops to assess and repair the damage inflicted on them, affirming the importance of constant readjustment and modification in the robotic world. Whether in a team or alone, handlers worked diligently to restore their minions, swarming around the metallic warriors with tools and parts.
Amid all the destruction, one particular three-part bot assembled with duct tape stood out. This lightweight robot called Moist Pony shone when pitched against two heavyweights. Built with household items, it survived the battle relatively unscathed, much to the surprise of onlookers.
Robot Rampage provided an exciting opportunity for the public to witness the power of New Zealand’s robotics community. Aside from energetic, jaw-dropping battles, the event also premiered pre-recorded footage of End Game, the country’s beloved robot which has won the Discovery Channel’s BattleBots Champions Tournament two years in a row. The co-founders and captains of End Game who spearheaded Robot Rampage are committed to growing the country’s combat robotics scene and making it more appealing and accessible to the masses, enabling the public to indulge in, experience, and learn about the robust and thrilling tech sport.
The final leg of the gladiator event pitted Australia’s Derive against the world-famous champion’s early design, Bad Blood. In a thrilling face-off, Derive cut victory by flipping Bad Blood upside down, proving its dominance on foreign ground. Despite Australia’s stunning victory, the event concluded on a high note, inspiring onlookers and enthusiasts to consider getting involved in robotics. The grandeur and spectacle of the event epitomized the dangerous thrill and intellectual challenge one can find in the world of robot combat, making it an unforgettable experience for all. This technological spectacle left the audience in anticipation of the forthcoming Robot Rampage event next year, eager to witness more of such combative marvels.
