NC State's BattlePack Combat Robotics club is a multidisciplinary engineering club where members design, fabricate, test, and compete with remote-controlled combat robots. I've served as both a member of a competing subteam and as an organizer of educational building and design events for students of all skill levels.
Electronics Integration
- Assembled and soldered high-amperage ESC boards, receiver, planetary gearbox servos, and brushless motors powering the belt-driven weapon system
- Assisted in configuring FrSky transmitter/receiver protocol for differential ("tank") steering and implemented a weapon failsafe to prevent uncontrolled spin-up after impact
- Integrated an inline power switch connecting the ESCs, receiver, and LiPo battery, prioritizing safety, weight reduction, and Carolina Combat Robotics compliance
Chassis and Weapon System Design
- Collaborated on prototyping and assembling 3D-printed protective shells, a toothed drum weapon with through-axle and bearing support, and the main chassis
- Modified commercial components for fitment within the drivetrain and optimized internal layout for balance and serviceability
- Analyzed PLA material behavior under impact, using layer orientation and geometry to enhance strength and mitigate failure
- Maintained total system mass under the 1-pound competition limit
Competition Operations
- Piloted the robot during official matches, earning one competitive win before a mechanical drive failure
- Diagnosed post-match motor damage and planned a drivetrain redesign for the next competition cycle
Leadership Responsibilities
- Applied prior graphic design experience to create a professional sponsorship packet, enabling partnerships with local businesses for financial and material support
- Designed the official team T-shirt and visual branding for regional competitions
- Organized and supplied tools for soldering tutorials in university makerspaces to support new members
- Coordinated with the Engineering Living and Learning Village to host hands-on robotics workshops
- Helped lead weekly meetings, structuring design reviews, prototyping sessions, and pre-competition prep
Left to right: CAD model of Grey Matter (our robot), assembling electrical systems, testing the weapon against a TPU print.
Left to right: Our test box, senior members at last year's final competition, our club president winning a regional event.