The robots, each weighing 3.3 pounds or less, went head-to-head at the UK Beetle Championship held at St Michael’s Centre in Stoke Gifford, Bristol.
The event was organized by the Bristol Bot Builders, a group dedicated to sparking interest in STEM subject – science, technology, engineering, and math – among people of all ages.
The championship brought together teams from across Europe to showcase their small but agile robots in a series of head-to-head battles. Beyond the competition, the event offered participants and spectators a hands-on way to engage with robotics, innovation, and technology in a fun and interactive setting.
300 spectators watched robots battle in Bristol
Unlike the 240-pound machines seen on Robot Wars or BattleBots, Beetleweight robots are much smaller and lighter. These “Beetles” are limited to 3.3 pounds, making them more compact, affordable, and easier to build and modify. Despite their size, they can still deliver impressive hits that cover the entire arena, packing a surprising amount of power into a tiny frame.
According to Craig Croucher of the Bot Builders, around 300 spectators turned out to watch the robots destroy each other. He said the event attracts ordinary people from all walks of life who use robot fighting as a practical way to learn about science.
Organizers keep the format simple so newcomers can join: the primary goal in matches is to disable an opponent by any effective means – flipping, immobilizing, or tearing parts off. The most damaging weapons tend to be spinning discs that can spin up to about 250 mph, delivering huge kinetic energy that can throw, rip, and permanently disable rival bots. Overall, the tournaments are framed as hands-on STEM experiences rather than pure spectacle.
Croucher also added that robot-building scene is a friendly community, with some competitors experimenting with new technology. He noted that the event is always interesting and mentioned that an autonomous robot was also taking part, highlighting the variety of approaches participants bring to the competition.
Bristol a hub for robot combat in the UK
Bristol has emerged as a key center for robot combat in the UK, attracting engineers and enthusiasts who build aggressive machines for intense mechanical battles. Designing, assembling, and programming these bots requires significant time and effort, with students and hobbyists dedicating much of their summer and the full competition season to perfecting their creations.
According to the organizers, participants spend the entire year developing their robots. They build and test each machine, program it to operate autonomously, and then enter local competitions to see how it performs in real battles.
Afterward, they return to the workshop to refine their designs, making improvements and new iterations. This cycle of building, testing, and redesigning continues throughout the year, helping students and enthusiasts steadily improve their engineering and programming skills.