https://robotcombatwiki.com/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Hobbyweight 2026-11-08T19:59:26Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.43.11 https://robotcombatwiki.com/index.php?title=Hobbyweight&diff=1036&oldid=prev 2026-10-17T14:34:22Z

<p>New page: Hobbyweight weight class overview (rules, typical builds, getting started, where they fight)</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>The &#039;&#039;&#039;Hobbyweight&#039;&#039;&#039; class is for robots weighing up to &#039;&#039;&#039;12 lb&#039;&#039;&#039; (5.44 kg). It&#039;s the step between the insect classes and the bigger robots: big enough for serious engineering, but still manageable to build, transport and repair. It&#039;s fought mainly at &#039;&#039;&#039;NHRL&#039;&#039;&#039; and some larger events.<br /> <br /> __TOC__<br /> <br /> ==Rules==<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;SPARC&#039;&#039;&#039;: 12 lb (5.44 kg), called Hobbyweight in the &#039;&#039;&#039;[[SPARC Tournament Procedures]]&#039;&#039;&#039;. Shufflers can weigh 15 lb, non-traditional drives 18 lb, and walkers 24 lb. Robots of 12 lb and under are exempt from many of SPARC&#039;s pneumatic and hydraulic rules if they stay at or below 250 psi (see &#039;&#039;&#039;[[SPARC Robot Construction Specifications]]&#039;&#039;&#039;).<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;NHRL&#039;&#039;&#039;: 12 lb, under NHRL&#039;s own &#039;&#039;&#039;[https://wiki.nhrl.io/wiki/index.php?title=NHRL_Rules rules]&#039;&#039;&#039;.<br /> * There&#039;s no equivalent FRA class in the UK. Some events run a 12 lb &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Sportsman Classes|Sportsman]]&#039;&#039;&#039; class. The &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Combat Robotics in Schools and Universities|National Robotics League]]&#039;&#039;&#039; uses a related 15 lb class for high schools.<br /> <br /> ==Typical builds==<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;Drive:&#039;&#039;&#039; brushless motors through planetary gearboxes, such as Repeat Robotics&#039; 12 lb gearboxes for 28 mm and 35&amp;ndash;36 mm motors.[https://repeat-robotics.com/collections/bigger-bots-12lb-30lb]<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;Weapon:&#039;&#039;&#039; larger brushless motors (often from RC cars or electric skateboards) with high-current ESCs.<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;Battery:&#039;&#039;&#039; commonly 4S&amp;ndash;6S LiPo.<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;Materials:&#039;&#039;&#039; mostly aluminum or machined plastic frames, with steel and titanium armor and weapons, and printed internal parts.[https://wiki.nhrl.io/wiki/index.php/Combat_Robotics_Starter%27s_Guide]<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;Arena:&#039;&#039;&#039; 12 lb robots need an arena built for robots up to 30 lb &amp;ndash; SPARC recommends 3/4&quot; polycarbonate walls for that range.<br /> <br /> ==Getting started==<br /> There aren&#039;t many complete 12 lb kits; most builders design their own robot and buy drive and weapon parts. NHRL&#039;s starter guide says a fairly competitive 12 lb robot can be built for under $1,000.[https://wiki.nhrl.io/wiki/index.php/Combat_Robotics_Starter%27s_Guide] Building a beetleweight first is a good way to learn.<br /> <br /> ==Where they fight==<br /> Mainly at NHRL, and at some larger events such as &#039;&#039;&#039;[https://robobrawl.illinois.edu/ Robobrawl]&#039;&#039;&#039; at the University of Illinois.<br /> <br /> ===NHRL 12 lb world champions===<br /> {| class=&quot;wikitable&quot;<br /> ! Year !! Champion<br /> |-<br /> | 2021 || Hot Leaf Juice<br /> |-<br /> | 2022 || Ugee<br /> |-<br /> | 2023 || Full Court<br /> |-<br /> | 2024 || SLAM PLAN<br /> |-<br /> | 2025 || Pramheda<br /> |}<br /> Source: &#039;&#039;&#039;[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Havoc_Robot_League Wikipedia]&#039;&#039;&#039; and the &#039;&#039;&#039;[https://wiki.nhrl.io/wiki/index.php/NHRL:Stats:Event_Winners-12lb NHRL event winners list]&#039;&#039;&#039;.<br /> <br /> ==See also==<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Beetleweight]]&#039;&#039;&#039; (3 lb) and &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Featherweight]]&#039;&#039;&#039; (30 lb)<br /> * &#039;&#039;&#039;[[RobotClasses|Robot Classes]]&#039;&#039;&#039;</div>

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