Hebocon: Crappy Robot Fights

WHAT THE HECK IS A HEBOCON

The Japanese are practising a new form of layman’s hobby – the robot fight. If those words conjure up images of shiny, futuristic, humanoid machines in your mind, you are grossly mistaken. Robots who fight in a so-called Hebocon are anything but state-of-the-art. The Japanese word “heboi“ means “crappy“, “poorly made” or even “embarrassing”. But this is exactly what makes Hebocons so special, the first of which were organised by their inventor Daijū Ishikawa in July 2014 in Tokio.

The idea behind a Hebocon is remarkably democratic, because practically everybody can build a lousy robot, which means everybody can participate. Building a robot that is too state-of-the-art is even detrimental: Participants whose robots are too sophisticated lose points. The crappier the better. Anything found in a household, anything that should have long been discarded can be used to build an up to 50 x 50 cm tall and up to 1 kg heavy Hebocon robot: old stuffed animals, defunct dolls, rotating kitchen appliances and all things weird and wonderful. Anything goes as long as it does not destroy the rival on purpose. Which gives the concept of the Hebocon a distinct touch of sustainability. Useless objects can get a second life and purpose here.

The only criterion for passing as a robot is movement. If your contraption moves, it can compete. It doesn’t even have to be powered electronically or be controlled remotely. If it moves of its own accord, mechanically, even better. This will make for extra points. The fight itself resembles a Sumo tournament and is being conducted on a board measuring 100 x 50 cm. The goal is to push your adversary out of the ring. Which robot competes against which is determined according to their weight. The robot weighing the least fights the second least weighty robot and so on.

THE FUTURIUM HEBOCON

On 16th September, the Futurium will also stage self-made robots fight as part of our open house programme “A Day In The Future”. On this day only, we will be open to the public and offer a diverse programme that will play across the entire house. The Futurium Lab downstairs will crawl with robots, hopefully a lot of them self-made. The Hebocon starts at 3 p.m.. Entry is free.

RULES FOR HEBOCON PARTICIPATION:

1. Does it move? Than it’s a robot.
2. Robots cannot exceed a height and width of 50 cm each.
3. Robots must not weigh more than 1 kg.
4. Weapons of all kinds are not admissible robots parts. Also, please keep in mind that this is a family friendly affair.

YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE? GREAT. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES TO DO THAT.

1. Register and bring your robot

You have everything to build a robot? Then, please register using the form below. The first round starts at 3 p.m..On the day, please be there half an hour before the competition starts to check in with the organisers and have your robot weighed.

2. Build your robot with us on the day of the tournament and let it compete

You can also just drop by the Futurium-Lab in the basement on 16th September, built your robot with us and let it compete straight away. We will provide you with the necessary materials and help you implement your idea. All you need is the latter.

POINTS AND AWARDS:

Robots are awarded points per victory based on their design:

• accidentally moving/ unguided robots: 10 points
• simply operated robots (e.g. on/ off switch operated motor): 6 points
• remote controlled robots (based on model cars): 4 points

Fight manipulations lead to the loss of 2 – 4 points.

THE FOLLOWING AWARD CATEGORIES ARE GIVEN A TROPHY:

• King of the Hill: If your robot has shoved everybody else off the board, you are going to be „Kings of the Hill“.
• Princess of Points: … is whoever wins on points.
• Winner of Hearts: … is the robot which is simply the cutest and coolest and most beloved by the audience.