In early 2024 IBiB members started a project to create and support a mini sumo robot league . The core activity is two robots competing in a head-to-head match following the basic system of traditional human sumo matches. Robot sumo is not “battlebots,” the sole purpose is a non-destructive pushing match between the two fully autonomous robots to force the other from the arena. Other, non-competitive, activities for the robots will be held along with the core of sumo matches at IBiB hosted events.
During the spring of 2024 The Robot Builder’s Guild of IBiB researched and adapted rules from other sumo robot programs, created and tested prototype bots and software (a reference design is openly shared), and started developing a schedule for exhibitions and competitions. Project progress and announcements will be posted here.
Our first public exhibition of robot sumo matches will take place at Brockport’s Seymour public library on June 26th, 6-7:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project and join in on the fun.
Initial tests of the project took place at Maker Faire Syracuse on May 4th, 2024: https://syracuse.makerfaire.com/
IBiB mini sumo robot exhibitions and competitions are open to the public to attend. Participation in the events will open to builders who conform to IBiB’s rules and specifications. Builders do not have to be members of IBiB to compete. Participation in developing the project itself is open to IBiB members only.
Resource materials, including rules, robot designs and plans, and software can be found on the IBiB github here: https://github.com/ibib-us/sumobots/tree/main/Released. Alternatively, zip compressed archive of those files can be downloaded directly.
Any questions or inquiries expressing interest in the project should be sent to Bill Ball at bill@tinkerfarm.net.
