What is Bot Hockey?
Bot Hockey is an electrifying sport that pits two teams of three robots against each other in a fast-paced battle for victory. Picture a human roller hockey rink buzzing with anticipation as these mechanical marvels engage in a 10-minute match, each maneuvering with precision and agility to outsmart their opponents.
At the heart of Bot Hockey lies the objective: to score as many goals as possible using a standard street hockey puck. It’s about strategy, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Every match is a strategic chess game, with teams employing a combination of offensive maneuvers, defensive tactics, and lightning-fast reflexes to gain the upper hand.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Bot Hockey isn’t just a single match; it’s a thrilling tournament that spans multiple matches, culminating in an epic showdown to crown the ultimate champion. Along the way, teams must adapt and evolve, learning from each encounter and refining their strategies to stay ahead of the competition.
What sets Bot Hockey apart is the fusion of technology and sportsmanship. It’s a celebration of innovation and creativity, where engineers and enthusiasts alike come together to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re a seasoned robotics aficionado or a casual spectator looking for an adrenaline-packed spectacle, Bot Hockey promises non-stop action and excitement. For builders – Bot Hockey also offers significantly more playing time and reduced robot cost compared to combat. A typical match has six players going at it for 10 non-stop minutes. That’s 60 person-minutes of pulse-pounding action for each match! And what’s best, even if you lose your robot is not damaged or destroyed and you can practice and tune your skills and team moves in your driveway. For fans – Bot Hockey matches are 10 non-stop minutes of action, bot crunching body checks, amazing scoring runs and thrilling defensive steals. There is plenty of time for the teams to exercise their strategies and plays and to get into “the groove”. The most practiced and coordinated team with the best prepared robots have the best chance of winning. But there is still enough crazy “you never know” randomness that every match is an adventure that pulls you in and glues you to the action right until the final buzzer.
Join us here at the BHL as we dive into the world of Bot Hockey and experience the thrill of robotic competition like never before!
Learn more about Bot Hockey!
Getting Started in the Bot Hockey League!
Step 1!
Step 2!
Step 4
Understand the rules
Find an event
Step 5!
Get some driving practice & have fun at the event!
Driving is important!
Parts of a Hockey Bot
Bot Hockey Info
Drive Motor
Click here to learn more about Drive motors
Most bot hockey robots use Brushed Motors.
Brushed motors are the original bot hockey tech! These are great for pushing the pile of bots around the puck with ease.
Drive motor
Click here to learn more about Drive motors
Most bot hockey robots use Brushed Motors.
Brushed motors are the original bot hockey tech! These are great for pushing the pile of bots around the puck with ease.
Wheel
Click here to learn more about bot hockey wheels!
Wheels come in a couple different textures, and will have more or less grip depending on the hardness you choose. Soft tires get a lot more grip than hard tires.
Wheel
Click here to learn more about bot hockey wheels!
Wheels come in a couple different textures, and will have more or less grip depending on the hardness you choose. Soft tires get a lot more grip than hard tires.
Electronic Speed Controllers
Click here to learn more about Electronic Speed Controllers!
Speed controllers regulate power flow from the battery to the motors. They control the robot’s movement by adjusting the motor’s speed and direction, allowing precise control over its actions in response to user commands.
Receiver
Click here to learn more about recievers!
The receiver accepts signals from the transmitter, then interprets these signals and instructs the ESC's accordingly. This wireless communication allows operators to remotely control the robot’s movements and functions during battles.
Battery
Click here to learn more about batteries used in bot hockey!
Most bot hockey robots use LiPo batteries, as they're readily available and come in a large variety of sizes!
Switch
Switch
Click to learn more about Drive motors and gearboxes!
Example of a brushed motor
Brushed Motors – Brushed motors are the original bot hockey tech! These are great for pushing the pile of bots around the puck with ease.
Brushed motors connect to a gearbox, and then to the wheels.
Example of a brushless motor
Brushless Motors
Nowadays, brushless use is growing due to the lighter weight at a given power and increasing ease-of-use with the ESCs for the brushless motors.
Gearboxes
Example of a gearbox attached to a brushed motor
Example of a gearbox attached to a brushless motor
Gearboxes take high-speed motors and reduce the speed to give easier control!
Click to learn more about wheels!
Wheels come in a couple different textures, and will have more or less grip depending on the hardness you choose. Soft tires get a lot more grip than hard tires.
Click to learn more about Electronic Speed Controllers
Speed controllers regulate power flow from the battery to the motors. They control the robot’s movement by adjusting the motor’s speed and direction, allowing precise control over its actions in response to user commands.
Click to learn more about Receivers
The transmitter sends signals to the receiver, which interprets these signals and instructs the ESC’s accordingly. This wireless communication allows operators to remotely control the robot’s movements and functions during battles.
Click to learn more about Switches
Testing
Switches allow you to turn the robot on and off without plugging and unplugging it from the battery directly.
They are wired on the positive side of the battery as a break.
Click to learn more about Batteries
Example of Lipo Battery
Example of Li-ion Battery
Lithium Polymer (LiPo): Lightweight, high energy density, popular in combat robotics.
These batteries come in various shapes and sizes!
Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are becoming the go-to battery option for most weight classes. These batteries provide the highest energy density of all battery types that are commercially available. The downside to LiPo batteries is that they deal with damage poorly. There have been several incidents where a LiPo battery taking damage has resulted in a spectacular fire. If you’re planning to use LiPo batteries be sure to consider how you’ll protect them from damage as a battery fire will likely ruin most of the parts near the battery. LiPo batteries also tend to swell under heavy loading, so using padded elements in your battery mounts can help minimize the risk of damage when this swelling occurs.
Lithium ion (Li-ion):L ithium Ferrite (LiIon) batteries are another common battery type. This chemistry does not provide the same energy density of LiPo batteries, however, it is still a substantial improvement over NiMh, NiCad, and SLA batteries. LiIon batteries are also less reactive to damage which means unlike LiPo batteries there are no major events that restrict the use of LiFe batteries.
LiIon batteries are used less often, because they are larger, more expensive and heavier than LiPo batteries, but if you have the weight in your robot, LiIon batteries are much less likely to catch fire. 🙂
Click to learn more about Framing
The frame of a hockey robot serves as the backbone, providing structural support to all other components. It is typically made from sturdy materials such as uhmw, hdpe, steel, aluminum, or titanium, chosen for their strength-to-weight ratio. The frame needs to be robust enough to endure high-impact collisions and shocks during battles. Engineers meticulously design frames, considering factors like weight distribution, balance, and overall rigidity. A well-designed frame ensures that the robot can withstand aggressive dogpiles with the six robots of both teams without losing its structural integrity.
Common Bot Hockey Positions
Where speed, strategic positioning, and a determination to win matter immensely, the common roles of basic bot hockey can play a pivotal role in securing a victory in one of the 3 on 3 matches during a tournament! Similar to traditional hockey, which boasts positions like forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders, bot hockey has diverse roles tailored to its robot athletes’ capabilities!
Here are some of the most common positions that shape the sport dynamics:
1. Goalie Bot:
Like traditional hockey, the goalie bot stands as the last line of defense, guarding the goal with unwavering vigilance.The goalie bot’s primary objective is to thwart the opposing team’s attempts to score by intercepting shots and blocking puck trajectories. Positioned strategically near the goal, this robot guardian and has to have an exceptionally strong drive system, as many robots will often try to pile into the goal to get the puck in.
2. Scoring Robot:
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the scoring robot, whose relentless pursuit is to propel the puck past the opposing goalie and into the goal. The scoring robot driver’s job is to use swift maneuvers to exploit gaps in the opposing team’s defense. With a keen eye for opportunity and impeccable accuracy, the builder should be ready to jump on any opposing team defense openings to get the puck into the goal as quickly as possible!
3. Defender Bot:
The defender bot embodies tenacity and resilience when tasked with disrupting the flow of the opposing team’s offense. This robot driver should thwart scoring attempts and frustrate the opposition’s offensive strategies by employing aggressive tactics and strategic positioning, executing precision tackles or deflecting shots.
4. Shooter Robot:
Standing out as a specialist in long-range attacks, the shooter robot should possess the power to launch shots from across the arena with pinpoint accuracy into the goal!
5. All-Rounder Robot:
While robots specifically designed for tasks is a fantastic approach for team composition, some teams prefer to have all-around bot design that can excel at any task, these bots tend to be a little more generalized and simpler, but are still highly effective.
It’s important to note that while these positions represent common archetypes in bot hockey, builders have the flexibility to adapt and innovate based on their unique strategies and gameplay preferences. Some teams may opt to have builders stick to one of the above roles, but others will have builders seamlessly transition between roles based on the evolving dynamics of the game. In contrast, others may specialize in unconventional tactics to catch their opponents off guard.
In the dynamic world of bot hockey, success hinges not only on individual skill but also on cohesive teamwork, strategic insight, and adaptability. Whether your team is orchestrating precision passes, executing daring saves, or piling into a train to push the robot on your team with the puck into the goal, the key lies in synergy and synchronization among teammates. Victory awaits those who dare to innovate and redefine the game!