SUMOBOTS

Written By Miguel Garcia

Project Overview

For my Mechanical Engineering capstone project, I participated in a SumoBot competition where teams designed and built remotely controlled robots to compete in a circular arena. The objective was to push opposing robots out of the arena using offensive and defensive strategies. Our design complied with the rules of the Sumobot Society, Capstone Event guidelines, and specifications from Dr. Oman.

Key Specifications

  • Maximum size: 20 × 20 cm

  • Maximum weight: 3 kg (6.6 lbs)

  • Budget: ≤ $500 (unless sponsored)

  • Body design must be geometrically unique (box-style frames prohibited)

Role: Lead Designer & Development Engineer

  • Directed the design workflow and provided technical feedback to teammates

  • Selected and tested durable 3D printing materials for performance reliability

  • Conducted mechanical simulations in SolidWorks (impact, bending, stress)

Process

  • Designed and simulated components in SolidWorks and Fusion 360

  • Prototyped with PLA; fabricated final components in PHAT-CF (carbon fiber-reinforced)

  • Used Bambu Lab and Anycubic 3D printers for manufacturing

Results

  • Built one of the most impact-resistant robots in the competition

  • Survived direct collisions with BattleBots

  • Demonstrated that simple, robust designs often outperform complex alternatives

    Skills Utilized:

  • CAD (Solidworks, Fusion 360)

  • Soldering

  • 3d Printing

  • Arduino/C++

  • General tool Hardware

Version 1 of our sumobot

Final Design [Version 4]

Fully built robot

Miguel Garcia
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