Robot Ruckus 2025

Registration goes live Saturday August 23rd Noon EST. 

Robot Ruckus is BACK at Maker Faire Orlando November 8-9, 2025. As a marquee attraction of the largest Maker Faire in the Southeast US it’s an experience not to be missed.

Robot Capacity has been increased to an even 200 this year!!

Special Class: "Gladiator", aka Vipers and Sportsman. In this class Viper kits (spinners included) are allowed from stock to modified as well as any sportsman (non spinner) antweights. The goal of the class is to give new builders and sportsman designs a place to fine tune the bot before advancing to the Ant Pro class. *non spinner applies to both traditional spinners as well as any variants such as saws, drills etc.  The bot that wins Gladiator automatically graduates to Ant Pro for future events.  

Sponors: Robot Ruckus would not be possible without support from these fine organizations.

• The Maker Effect Foundation - https://www.themakereffect.org/
• Palm Beach Bots - https://palmbeachbots.com/
• Build Fight Fun - https://buildfightfun.com/
• Fingertech Robotics - https://www.fingertechrobotics.com/
• Repeat Robotics - https://repeat-robotics.com/
• SendCutSend - https://sendcutsend.com/
• Polymaker - https://us.polymaker.com/

Classes: Prizes provided by Repeat Robotics, SendCutSend & Polymaker

• Plastic Ants, Presented by Polymaker: 1 Pound
• Gladiator (Vipers and Sportsman): 1 Pound
• Ant Pro: 1 Pound
• Beetle: 3 Pound
• 12s and 30s are not running this year due to space availability.  Possibly in 2026, new arena in the works :)

Entry Limits, Requirements and Fees:

• Registration: $25 per bot. Payment due September 26th. After that date unpaid teams are waitlisted to promote paid teams and provide ample time for travel arrangements.
• Entry Limits: Maximum 4 bots per team. No more than 2 bots per class, per team. Bots within the same class must have different drivers.
• Event Passes: Each team is allocated 4 passes to Maker Faire Orlando. Additional tickets can be purchased on the Maker Faire Orlando website.
• Paperwork: "Call for Makers" is required by all teams, Link to follow closer to the event. 

Schedule

• Friday November 7, 2025: Safety checks and testing from 4PM-7PM.   We encourage all who can arrive on Friday to do so.   We do not have time Saturday morning to safety in EVERYONE.
• Saturday, November 8, 2025:
  • 8-930AM - Last minute safety inspections.  
  • 945AM - Driver's meeting.
  • 10AM-5PM - FIGHTS
• Sunday, November 9, 2025:
  • 9AM - Venue open for builder arrival
  • 10AM-5PM - FIGHTS
  • 5PM-6PM - Builder Load Out

Rules:

• SPARC ruleset with the following points of emphasis:
  • NO FIRE WEAPONS (Flamethowers etc)
  • Plastic Ant: 3D printed in PLA, PLA+, ABS or PETG.  Polymax PLA allowed.  No blends allowed such as CF, Glass. Kevlar etc.
  • Pit:  We have a pseudo pit, more of an OOTA zone in the corner, there's a reasonable chance to escape by driving out or destroying the pit.  If you go in the pit you have a 10 count to get out before KO is called. 
• Motion: Battlebots rules, if you're moving it's motion so either tap out or your opponent is obligated to annihilate you.  
• Exposed batteries are automatic forfeits
• One postponement (max 15 minutes)
• Unstick policy will be arena dependent and communicated at the driver's meeting. 
• Match length: 2 minutes
• 3 Qualifying Rounds into a single elimination championship bracket.
• Most Important Rule - **HAVE FUN**

Arenas: Ant/Beetle arenas are 8x8x4 and Plastic/Gladiator with be either 6x6x4 or 8x8x4.  

Volunteers: Yes, please!! Maker Faire Orlando and Robot Ruckus are community events run 100% by volunteers. Anyone who has time to give is welcome to help. There are roles for everyone, robot knowledge is not required. We need as many volunteers as possible to keep the event running. And remember, even a 4 hour shift grants you free entry to Maker Faire so why not get a behind the scenes experience and free entry!! Reach out to contact@robotruckus.org for details.