Robots

AntEater

Anteater was developed as a more refined 150g Antweight build, directly shaped by the lessons learned from previous robots. Earlier issues such as unnecessary aluminium weight and the drawbacks of using a front caster were addressed, leading to a more focused and efficient design.

The robot was built to fully utilise the 100mm cube limit, with a compact and balanced layout that improved stability and control during fights. By removing the caster and relying on a more planted drive setup, it maintained better traction and avoided the loss of control experienced in earlier designs.

For the weapon system, I stayed with the proven premade spinning disc, but reconfigured it as an undercutter. This allowed the robot to attack lower on opponents, improving engagement and increasing the chances of destabilising them on impact.

The armour was fully 3D printed in PLA, making it lightweight and easy to replace between fights. This approach allowed for quick repairs and ongoing iteration, which is especially valuable in the Antweight class where damage is frequent and turnaround time is limited.

Anteater represents a more considered and experience-driven design, combining proven elements with practical improvements to create a robot that is more controlled, efficient and better suited to consistent performance in the arena.