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Creative Robotics Workshops - Supreme Super Sumos
Super Sumo Competition | Project Lab Book | Lesson Plan
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On Super Bowl Weekend 2004, super Sumo robot engineers from Build-It-Yourself battled for glory and chicken at the famous Lucky Garden Restaurant in Cambridge.

Each Sumo wrestling robot needs to be  'tweaked' before the big showdown. There is a ton at stake in this competition.  Ascher and Zach do their pre-match warm ups.

Rockem-sockem-saki!

Competition Rules

A scrumptious Sumo training meal was served before the big event for the Sumo handlers and a loyal fan club of family and friends.  Everyone but the Sumo robots bulked up!  (Proper Sumo tradition forbids the Sumos to eat before a match for fear of barfing all over their opponents!)

In the opening ceremonies, the Sumos sported their fashionable, trend-setting wardrobes.

When the bell sounds, the Sumo robots must fit within a 12" square.  Sumos may weigh up to 3 pounds.

Zach prepares for a showdown. His robot goes by the fearsome name, "The Arm of Christmas."  It's designed to swing into the opposing sumo and knock it out of the 48 inch ring.

Bring it on!  Rumble at the Lucky Garden!  Let the Games begin!

Max's clever strategy is to throw down his defenses when the match begins.  He stays alive and conserves energy by turning a small motor every 60 seconds until the others' batteries fizzle out.  It's the "persistent turtle vs. the cocky hare" strategy.

All three contestants emerge in a final battle to see who has really invented the most cunning robot.

Watch them fight for god, king and country!

Who's the baddest Sumo in the land?

Victory for Ascher and his "Supreme Super Sumo" who use leverage to lift and push all comers out of the ring.

Ascher and his Sumo take pride in their good looks and their ceremonial battle dress.

Watch Ascher's Sumo in action.

The games conclude in proper Japanese Sumo tradition. Competitors honor their foes.

Rockem-Sockem-Saki!
Don't mess with
Max-soni,
Zach-sushi, and
Ascher-yota!

 


Build-It-Yourself, 426 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138, Tel: (617) 547-9705 Email