E96: Combat Robotics

During Spring 2020, we first pitched our course idea to the faculty in charge of the program and began development of our curriculum. The most important early decisions made were centered around the skills we wanted to teach. The formal CAD instruction provided in the UCLA mechanical engineering curriculum came quite late in the typical order undergrad coursework is taken in. Therefore, we chose to have our bots be 3D printed, making Solidworks instruction a key component of our course. I also wanted students to gain an introduction to electronics without becoming overwhelmed. Thus, we pre-selected the motors and batteries for students but had them do the soldering and wiring themselves. While originally targeted towards incoming freshman, our course was taken by students of all years and nearly every engineering major.

Once fully developed, our curriculum was composed of 16 lectures delivered across 10 weeks of instruction. Students spent the first few weeks learning basic engineering and design principles before diving into their own robot designs, working in teams of two to fully design and manufacture their own combat robot. Having our robots compete in the 1-lb. class allowed for the majority of the bot to be 3D printed, removing the typically challenging and expensive process of machining an aluminum chassis. We used a waterjet to machine aluminum weapons for each bot. The class concluded with a design presentation as well as final tournament, with the bots fighting to the death in our custom-built 8' x 8' x 6' cage. Designing and constructing the cage was a long and expensive process -- thankfully, the 2020-21 academic year being virtual gave us the time needed.

I served as one of two course instructors in Winter and Spring 2022. During the weekly 3-hour lecture, I provided high-level instruction on combat robotics and the overall design process before diving into specifics each week, beginning with CAD in Solidworks before transitioning to manufacturing, material selection, and finally electronics. I put emphasis in having lecture content be beginner friendly without being completely obsolete for more experienced students.

While lecturing was a substantial part of my work as an instructor, the majority of my time was spent leading office hours and individual sessions to help teams with problems that were more unique to their robot design. In the weeks leading up to the final competition, I typically held office hours for 8 or more hours per week. My top priority was to ensure every team made it to competition, and I'm happy to say that has been the case both quarters I've taught the course. Seeing the excitement students experienced the first time their robot turns on brought me a ton of joy and satisfaction as well. Below are pictures of some of my favorite bots made by the students.