Build the Sumo Bot

Just like a sumo wrestler, our Sumo Bot is programmed to push its competitors out of the ring. After building your Sumo Bot and learning about the bottom IR sensors on the Smart Inventor Board, you can compete against other Sumo Bots. Just make sure you program yours to stay within the lines!
Rokit Smart sumo robot cover Rokit Smart sumo robot cover

This lesson works with:

Rokit Smart
Arduino
  • arduino
  • build
  • Rokit Smart
  • sensors
  • Sumo
  • Sumo Bot

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

60 - 75 mins
CSTA

1B-CS-02

3-5

Model how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.

1B-CS-03

3-5

Determine potential solutions to solve simple hardware and software problems using common troubleshooting strategies.

2-CS-03

6-8

Systematically identify and fix problems with computing devices and their components.
CCSS

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 Language Arts

Grade 3

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.8 Language Arts

Grade 3

Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Language Arts

Grade 4

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Language Arts

Grade 5

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Language Arts

Grade 6

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Language Arts

6-8

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Language Arts

Grade 8

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

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CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

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Step 1

Attach the motors

  1. Attach two short L-frames to a blueboard, and then make a mirror image with two more L-frames on another blueboard. Next, attach two short standoffs to each blueboard, and again, make sure they are mirror images of each other.
  2. Bolt the motor casings to the L-frames. Make sure the backs of the motors are facing each other!
Short L-frames&Blueboard Attachment
Motor Casings
Step 2

The body

  1. Assemble two sets of very long standoffs by attaching one short standoff, one nut, one long standoff, and one short standoff.
  2. Attach the two standoffs you just made to the blueboard with nuts. They should be in the fourth column and in the first and fourth rows.
  3. Add four more long standoffs to the blueboard using nuts.
  4. Attach long L-frames to each of the three sets of standoffs using short bolts.
Standoffs
Standoffs attached to Blueboard
Standoffs attached to Blueboard2
Long L-frames Standoffs Short Bolts
Step 3

Add the battery pack and motor structures

  1. Attach a 7-hole silver frame to the back of a battery pack. This will allow you to bolt the battery pack to the body of your Sumo Bot.
  2. Bolt the battery pack to the long L-frame attached to the very long standoffs.
  3. Using the bolts and the four short standoffs on the blueboards with the motors, attach the top body to the bottom body.
7-hole silver frame&battery pack
Battery pack Long L-frame Long Standoffs
Bolts Short Standoffs Blueboards Motors
Step 4

Smart Inventor Board and wheels

  1. Attach two long bolts to the Smart Inventor Board with nuts and nylon nuts. Pay attention to the placement of the bolts!
  2. Use four short standoffs to make two stacked standoffs, and then bolt those to the Smart Inventor Board. The standoffs should be on the outside of the long bolts.
  3. Attach the Smart Inventor Board to your Sumo Bot using the long standoffs and bolts.
  4. Put wheels on each of your motors with black screws. The wheels will stay attached without the screws!
Long bolts Smart Inventor board
Short Standoffs Smart Inventor Board
Smart Inventor Board Sumo Bot
Wheels Black Screws
Step 5

The pushers

  1. Attach two long standoffs to each of the long L-frames at the front of the Sumo Bot.
  2. Attach a long bolt to each of the two horn brackets with a nut.
  3. Bolt the horn brackets to the standoffs at the front. These will be your pushers, so make sure they’re secure!
Long Standoffs Long L-frames
Long bolts Horn Brackets
Horn Brackets Standoffs
Step 6

Wire the Sumo Bot

You’re done building your Sumo Bot! Now you need to wire it.

Hold your robot so that the Smart Inventor Board is facing you:

  • The motor on the right is M1.
  • The motor on the left is M2.
  • Attach their wires to the SmartInventor board where it’s marked M1, M2, M3, and M4.
  • Make sure that the red wires are the in the negative position (facing the inside) and that the black wires are in the positive position (facing the outside)!
Sumo Bot Wiring
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