The SumoBot WX Competition Kit with the FLiP Multicore Microcontroller combines so much fun of robotics: the easy-to-use BlocklyProp visual programming language, a pair of robots that autonomously wrestle for dominance in a Sumo ring, and experiential learning throughout the tutorials — one wheel revolution at a time. The kit includes enough sensors and components to program, test, battle, and rebuild many times. We don’t know what it is exactly about the SumoBot that gets our customers so excited, but maybe it’s the closest thing to BattleBots or a science fiction future in which robots peacefully manage disagreements for their people.
The first two tutorials have been published and the others are coming soon. The “Build your SumoBot WX” tutorial provides a number of photos of the assembly process and a good idea of what’s in the kit. SumoBot WX is packed with sensors and features, in a small 10cm x 10cm square. The “BlocklyProp for your SumoBot WX” Tutorial shows how to connect the robot to BlocklyProp Solo and download your first few code examples.
SumoBot competition rules have been widely published, including this set of rules from RoboGames and a more simple version from RobotRoom. A Parallax version is forthcoming and will be posted in our tutorials. There’s really no standard you need to follow and you’re welcome to adapt or make up your own rules too. However, all rules are inspired by the real thing — Japanese Sumo wrestling, a competitive full-contact sport that started around almost a thousand years ago.
You’ll need a 30-36″ diameter piece of MDF, smooth AC or cabinet-grade plywood, some black and white paint, and a sander to make a SumoBot ring. Make the white edge at least a few inches thick for time to react.
Many classrooms around the world have Scribber 3 (S3) robots and some experience with them, but need a little help to actually implement a unit in their classroom. Parallax can bridge that gap on August 13th in our live Zoom meeting with an experienced teacher discussing the practical details of using the S3 in class. John Kauffman will share his tricks and traps from 5 years of classroom experience. He will discuss timing, topic order, materials, co-topics, pre-class prep, extension activities, and other solutions that have been useful to teachers in his train-the-trainer professional development seminars. For most of these topics, there are different approaches with advantages and disadvantages; John will discuss and then suggest paths that will fit your personal teaching plans. His suggestions on troubleshooting and mitigating problems have given scores of teachers the confidence to begin their units using the S3. Parallax will be sharing his tip sheets, pre-class checklists, common mistakes, and other documents.
John Kauffman has taught robotics and other micro-controller topics since 2005. He leads educator PD courses at the Northern VA Community College and teaches robotics part-time in the Arlington, VA Public Schools. His current interests include developing techniques to teach robotics online.
