Combat Robotics @ Cornell 2023

Who We Are

Founded in Fall 2019, our team aimed to create a fun and inclusive environment where our members could learn about the exciting field of combat robotics, enhance their skills in the domain(s) of their interest, and make long lasting friendships. Most of all, WE BUILD ROBOTS THAT FIGHT! As a start-up team, we had humble beginnings and built the foundation we have today with minimal resources, passionate members, and a ton of trial and error until we found processes that work best for us. Today, we are 50+ members strong.

What We Do

Combat Robotics @ Cornell (CRC) builds robots with the goal of competing in the National Havoc Robotics League’s March competition and winter championships. We have four subteams, each of which work on a different project:

Kinetic

The Kinetic Subteam specializes in the construction of 12lb high kinetic energy combat robots that feature vertical spinners, horizontal spinners, full-body spinners, and drums. Our mission is to design and build highly efficient robots that excel in competitions. We prioritize three key elements: damage-dealing capabilities, durability, and the ability to adapt to the ever-evolving meta of robotic combat. Kinetic is dedicated to maintaining a competitive edge in the world of robotic warfare.

Sportsman

The Sportsman Subteam specializes in the construction of 12lb low kinetic energy combat robots that feature flippers, hammers, crushers, punchers, and non-spinning innovations. Our mission is to design and build robots that epitomize creative originality, design ingenuity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In the absence of raw power, Sportsman excels through unique strategies and battle control. Sportsman aims to win the crowd rather than the competition through their battle moves.

Autonomous

The Autonomous Subteam specializes in the construction of 3lb autonomous combat robots. Our mission is to code robots that can autonomously compete with conventional RC robots. While winning isn't our primary goal, Autonomous aims to push boundaries, challenging ourselves to see how well our algorithms can perform and continuously enhance them over time. Our work not only forms team members into effective problem solvers, but we set new standards that address increasingly important questions in the world of robotics and beyond.

Marketing

Within the Marketing Subteam, we specialize in various aspects of promoting and enhancing CRC's brand. Our mission is to create symbiotic relationships within our team and with our stakeholders, elevating CRC to be more than just another robotics team. The Marketing Subteam is broken into four critical subsystems: Business, Computer Science, Media, and Design. The Business subsystem covers corporate relations, the Computer Science subsystem maintains the website and our video games, the Media subsystem runs our social media accounts, and the Design subsystem creates art and merchandising for the team.

How You Can Help

Our goal is to extend our learning beyond our initiatives at Cornell through a holistic approach to learning. By having four subteams with different focuses, members can truly benefit from Cornell’s philosophy of any person, any study. Every student in CRC is able to take something that they have learned from their major and apply it here, using past lessons to solve current problems. If provided the funding and support, CRC plans to make an impact in the community surrounding Cornell. 

CRC has set its largest goals yet for this year, and we need your help to maintain our ever-growing team! We plan on bringing our previous four robots to competition while developing three new entries. To properly test them, we are also working on a robust test box that requires resilient materials. Most importantly, CRC hopes to send every member to the competition and offer our supporters a chance to join us!

If we exceed the funds we need to build our bots, CRC plans to host even more engaging community outreach events. This can complement our annual showcase where we invite our friends, families, professors, and sponsors to experience the energy, learning, and craftsmanship of CRC. Help us build cool robots, go to more competitions, and spread our love for robotics! We hope you can join us on our path to victory!