Brawling with robots
Those who happened to be near the Richard and Moonyeen Anderson Engineering Building at Utah State University on Jan. 18 might have heard the whir of motors, the clank of plastic on plastic and the cheers of a crowd. This was the sound of USU’s first-ever combat robotics tournament, an event that brought students, hobbyists and even children together to celebrate creativity, engineering and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
The Combat Robotics Club, relatively new to campus, is quickly making waves with its dynamic approach to engineering and community engagement.
The tournament featured two weight classes: one-pound ant weight and three-pound beetle weight. Competitors came from Utah State, BYU and ISU, as well as a few hobbyists from all over Cache Valley.
Club leader and member, Jared Ibrahim, first-year mechanical engineering student, detailed the intense preparation that led to the event that had him spending much of his time in the engineering lab and the Idea Factory as he tried to piece his robot together.
His robot was named “Curse” due to its history of electronic issues — though most didn’t appear during competition. It showcased a sleek, powerful design aimed at ending matches quickly and decisively.
“My philosophy on defense is just planning on getting hit. So I make something that’s really fast and really nimble that essentially ends the match before it begins. I just try not to take damage,” Ibrahim shared.
Ibrahim’s hard work paid off when he placed third in the ant weight competition, just behind another USU club member whose robot’s name was “Baha Blasted.”
The road to success, however, was not easy. Ibrahim spent long hours working on his robot and didn’t get much sleep the night before the tournament.
Ibrahim also recounted unexpected failures, such as drive motors falling apart and parts nearly melting. Despite this, Ibrahim adapted to these challenges, which showed with his podium finish.
According to Ibrahim, perhaps the most challenging thing about building a battle-ready robot is working out all the kinks.
“You find that you design a robot, and you think it’ll work really well because it does on paper, but it doesn’t. You never really know until you plug it in and everything actually works. There’s just so many things you can’t account for,” Ibrahim said.
The event was a resounding success, drawing a larger-than-anticipated audience and inspiring young attendees to consider joining the club.
The club has an origin story as dynamic as the robots themselves. It began with an unexpected meeting in the Idea Factory, where the two co-founders of the club met as strangers.
Now vice president of the club Dallin Treasure-Areno has been a student at USU since 2018 and is majoring in biological engineering with a minor in mechanical engineering. He was in the Idea Factory trying to learn more about 3D printing when a certain student working on a robot caught his attention.
Now president of the club Regan Batchelor, business major and club co-founder, was working on a robot for an upcoming tournament hosted by BYU when Treasure-Areno entered the Idea Factory that day.
“I ran over to him, and I was like, ‘I know what that is. That’s a battle bot,’” Treasure-Areno said.
The two struck up a conversation that quickly revealed a shared interest and passion for combat robotics.
Batchelor admitted to Treasure-Areno that he needed a teammate to compete at BYU. Treasure-Areno was very quick to say yes.
The two entered the tournament with a robot named “Cougar Killer” not knowing how well they would do.
“In hindsight, I wish we didn’t name it that because it was a little bit rude, but we didn’t think we were going to win,” Treasure-Areno said.
Against all odds, Cougar Killer outperformed the competition.
“We just kept winning fight after fight until we just won the tournament,” Treasure-Areno said. The robot is now proudly on display at the Idea Factory, serving as a reminder of the club’s humble beginnings and the possibilities of ingenuity and teamwork.
This unexpected victory became the foundation for the club, where their shared passion could thrive and inspire others.
“When we got [home], people kept asking us [if we] want to make a club, and we said, ‘Yes.’ So we started the club,” Treasure-Areno said.
Inclusivity and collaboration are at the core of the club’s philosophy. It’s not just about building robots — it’s about building a community. Everyone is willing to share knowledge and tools, even if it means helping a competitor fix their robot during a tournament.
The club’s primary mission is to foster hands-on learning. Members gain experience with design, teamwork, deadlines and budgets — invaluable skills in any career.
The club welcomes members from all academic backgrounds.
“The president of our club is actually a business major. I’m a biological engineering major, which isn’t really relevant here. But my wife is in the club, and she’s a neuroscience major. You can be from anywhere,” Treasure-Areno said.
The diversity of expertise leads to creative solutions and unique designs. New members are encouraged to experiment, prototype and refine their robots.
“It’s a very evolutionary sport. You just get stronger every time,” Treasure-Areno said.
One of the club’s proudest moments was hosting the tournament.
“The moment we realized we needed more chairs for the audience made me super happy,” Treasure-Areno said.
The event also inspired younger participants, including a 10-year-old girl who has since joined the club and plans to build her own combat robot.
Looking to the future, the club plans to expand its reach by hosting larger tournaments and building starter bots to lower the barrier for new members.
“[We want to give people] a foundation to start from so they don’t have to start from scratch every single time,” Treasure-Areno said.
The club also plans to host an even larger tournament on April 12. Flyers and more information will be posted soon. Everyone is encouraged to come and watch or even participate.
For those interested but hesitant, Treasure-Areno offered simple advice.
“Come to a tournament, even if you’re not competing. Just come to one and watch it, and then while you’re there, you can meet some of the teams while they’re in the pits doing repairs. They’re super friendly,” he said.
This club isn’t just about robots — it’s about people and potential. The club creates an environment where anyone can bring their ideas and make them a reality. It doesn’t matter if new members have never built anything before — the club members will teach them everything you need to know.
Currently, the club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Engineering Laboratory. Whether members or those interested are aspiring engineers, artists with a flair for design or just someone curious about robots, there’s a place for everyone.
With a growing membership, successful events and a clear vision for the future, the club proves that engineering can be as exciting as it is educational. For those who join, it’s not just about the robots built but the connections made and the skills that last long after the matches are over.