Townsville · Queensland · Australia
North Queensland's combat robotics club. Plastic-class fighting robots, beginner-friendly divisions, and real arena battles — no experience needed to get started.
The Sport
Combat robotics is exactly what it sounds like — builders design and drive small armoured robots that fight head-to-head in a sealed arena. Think the spirit of televised robot combat, scaled down to classes you can actually build on a kitchen table and a hobby budget.
Townsville Robot Combat runs plastic-class divisions built to be cheap, safe and welcoming for first-timers — while still delivering proper arena carnage. Whether you're a student, a maker, an FPV pilot or someone who just wants to smash something for sport, there's a class for you.
Never built a bot? Perfect. Our Get Started guides walk you from zero to your first robot, and the club is here to help along the way.
Video from TV Show Battle Bots used as example.
Upcoming Events
⚡ Sunday 21 June · 1:00 PM
Come meet the club, check out the gear, and tell us how you'd like to get involved — building, spectating, volunteering or sponsoring. Our first get-together to kick things off, and everyone's welcome.
⚡ Coming Soon
Date and venue will be announced shortly. Follow our Facebook page to be the first to know when entries open and when the bots roll out.
Weight Divisions
Four divisions, from a 150 g featherweight first build up to the heavier Mantisweight class. Weights follow the international standard so your bot travels.
CLASS 01
150 g plastic robots
The featherweight entry point — cheap, quick to build and the perfect first robot.
CLASS 02
454 g 1 lb · plastic robots
The featherweight mid entry point — cheap, quick to build and the perfect first robot.
CLASS 03
1.36 kg 3 lb · plastic robots
The international 3 lb standard and our headline beginner class.
CLASS 04 Coming Soon
2.72 kg 6 lb · two brackets
Run it plastic-only, or step up to the any-material bracket when you're ready.
AUS ANTWEIGHT class limits weight to 150g and a minimum of 90% plastic, meaning this is where robots must be entirely fabricated from plastic parts (aside from electronics, motors, and fasteners). This class is rapidly growing in popularity as an entry level class due to the ease in fabrication and low damage rate which make the robots extremely affordable compared to other weight classes.
This is a great weight class to start in, as robot building methods such as direct driving weapons and wheels can be employed without major modifications and post processing. This weight class is less competitive than the beetleweight combat robot class which makes it ideal for a first robot.
US ANTWEIGHT class limits weight to 1lb and a minimum of 90% plastic, meaning this is where robots must be entirely fabricated from plastic parts (aside from electronics, motors, and fasteners). This class is rapidly growing in popularity as an entry level class due to the ease in fabrication and low damage rate which make the robots extremely affordable compared to other weight classes.
This is a great weight class to start in, as robot building methods such as direct driving weapons and wheels can be employed without major modifications and post processing. This weight class is less competitive than the beetleweight combat robot class which makes it ideal for a first robot.
BEETLEWEIGHT class are limited to 3lb or 1.36kg and a minimum or 90% plastic, meaning this is where robots must be entirely fabricated from plastic parts (aside from electronics, motors, and fasteners) This is by far the most competitive insect weight class.
Due to the push for light motors in the giant drone market, Brushless motors RPM and torque ratios used on this class robot provides insane power to weight ratios. This makes beetleweight robots incredibly dangerous and destructive. The most successful beetleweight robots feature tons of custom parts and have been through many design iterations to perfect the robot. Because beetleweight robots are so powerful, an important aspect of designs is modularity.
MANTISWEIGHT class are limited to 6lb or 2.72kg and will have a 90% plastic and an any material division. These robots have the weight limits high enough to make meaningful decisions on how they want their robot to fight and compete. From large power battery space or extra large motors or blades. This class will be very destructive and surely put on a show for the spectators on the day.
Mantisweight robot competitions are generally held in arenas that are larger and stronger than ones used to hold beetleweight robots, as walls that can contain a beetleweight are not strong enough to withhold the weapons on a mantisweight.
Minimum 90% plastic rule. All plastic-only competitions — the AUS & US Antweight classes, Beetleweight and the plastic Mantisweight bracket — must be built to a minimum of 90% plastic. It keeps bots affordable, safer in the arena and accessible to newcomers. Full details are in the rules PDF on the Compete page.
Ready to throw a bot in the arena? Entries open by email and through our Facebook page. Head to the Compete page for the full how-to-enter rundown, what to bring on the day, the safety checks, and the complete club ruleset (PDF).
How to CompeteNew to combat robotics? No experience needed. The Get Started page has build examples, beginner how-to guides, and the parts and links you need to put your first bot together. It'll grow as the club does.
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