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Watch poorly designed robots fight to the death

May 12, 2017

If you like watching elegantly designed robots flex their muscles in a "best of the best" competition, then this contest is not for you

If you like watching elegantly designed robots flex their muscles in a "best of the best" competition, then this contest is not for you. If, however, you like watching novices haphazardly construct junk bots to fight in a sumo-style competition, then say hello to Hebocon.

According to Daiju Ishikawa for Make: "I have been organizing the Robot Competition for Those Technically Ungifted (a.k.a. Hebocon) for two years. It is an event where people with no robot building skills gather with their robots and make them fight. Participants need a lack of skill, lack of perseverance, and lack of concentration. This is an unmotivated event where we praise those who participate with 'Heboi' (crappy, useless, poorly made) robots, not the victors, and impose penalties to those who participate with sophisticated robots.

Hebocon has spread to over twenty-five countries, and there have been over sixty tournaments held by volunteers. You can read further details of the event’s concept and each tournament’s report, but today I would like to write a bit about the chronology of how Hebocon became so widespread."

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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