Robots

FlippAnt

FlippAnt was introduced as a prebuilt 150g Antweight flipper from Nuts & Bots, giving me a solid starting point within the class while still allowing room for modification and improvement. Named to combine the flipper weapon style with the Antweight category, it followed a simple and effective approach focused on control and lifting power.

The robot retained its compact form to meet the 100mm cube requirement, with a layout designed around a rear-hinged flipper and low profile wedge-style engagement. While the base platform was prebuilt, key areas were reinforced to improve durability under combat conditions.

Particular attention was given to strengthening the hinge mechanism, which is a critical stress point in flipper designs. The front wedge was also upgraded to titanium, significantly improving resistance to impacts and reducing wear during repeated engagements. These changes helped the robot better withstand direct hits and maintain consistent performance.

The receiver was also upgraded to ensure full compatibility with my transmitter, improving control reliability and allowing the robot to integrate seamlessly with my existing setup.

As a flipper, the focus was on controlled engagements rather than high-impact damage, using the wedge to get underneath opponents and the lifting arm to destabilise or flip them. The design emphasised positioning and timing, rewarding precise driving over aggressive collisions.

FlippAnt combined the reliability of a proven base design with targeted upgrades, making it a durable and effective entry in the Antweight class while continuing to build experience with flipper-style robots.