Magnets
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If permitted in the rules of the competition, magnets may be used in combat robots.
- If the arena floor is a ferromagnetic material like iron or steel, you can increase the apparent weight of the bot by having it pull itself down with magnets, making it harder for other bots to lift, push, or flip. Remember that when deployed, this makes the drive motors work much harder!
- It is possible to use magnets to attract steel parts on other bots. If you become stuck and can’t release the other bot, though, you may draw a forfeit or a loss.
This calculator may be useful for force estimates.
Permanent magnets
Rare-earth magnets are among the most powerful. These attract all the time. If used on the bottom of your bot to add downforce, ensure that they will not come loose during the match.
Electromagnets
A simple coil of insulated wire around a suitable core material makes an electromagnet. These require a lot of power and are typically used intermittently, e.g. to hold the bot to the floor during an attack.