AI Combat Robots
Bot Wars
Tap a problem statement to read the full details.
About the Event
Bot Wars is KAYA’s combat robotics arena — where engineering meets adrenaline. Teams design, machine and wire a battle-ready bot from the ground up, then step into a single arena for head-to-head combat judged on aggression, control, damage and strategy. It rewards the same instincts as any hackathon — fast iteration, tight teamwork, problem-solving under pressure — just channelled into chassis, weapons, embedded AI and drive systems instead of code.
Every bot is built to one of two weight classes and inspected for safety before it ever enters the ring, so the fight comes down to design and driving skill, not who cut corners. Expect sparks, snapped weapons and split-second calls from the pit — the top teams share a total prize pool of ₹1,50,000, plus bragging rights as the most battle-tested crew on campus.
15 kg category — 🥇 First: ₹50,000 · Second: ₹30,000 · Third: ₹20,000.
8 kg category — 🥇 First: ₹25,000 · Second: ₹15,000 · Third: ₹10,000.
Rules
- 01Teams of 2–5 members, all from the same educational institute.
- 02Two weight categories: 8 kg and 15 kg (±5% tolerance).
- 03The robot must be manually controlled in real time — the control system, movement and actions stay fully in the operator’s hands.
- 04Onboard AI algorithms (autonomous driving, object/target tracking, line following, self-navigation, vision-based weapons targeting, etc.) are permitted and encouraged, provided the operator can override or fully disable them at any moment via the manual control; failure of an AI system is not grounds for rematch or delay.
- 05Wedge bots are only allowed in the 15 kg category and not in the 8 kg category.
- 06A mandatory safety inspection covering weapons, batteries and pneumatic/hydraulic systems is required before every robot is cleared to compete.
- 07Absence of a working manual power-disconnect switch or emergency stop (E-Stop) leads to immediate disqualification.
- 08Each match lasts 3 minutes. A robot is knocked out if it fails to move at least 6 inches within 30 seconds of the start of a stoppage; otherwise the winner is decided on points.
- 09Points are scored on Aggression, Control, Damage and Strategy.
- 10Any damage caused to the arena, or misconduct/rule violations by a team, results in penalties or disqualification.
- 11The organisers’ and judges’ decisions are final and binding — no disputes will be entertained after the ruling.
Build Your Dream Team
Different skills make a stronger team. Here's who to bring:
A mechanical builder for chassis, armor and weapon mechanism.
An electronics person for drive, weapon control and power systems.
A driver/strategist who knows the arena and how to win.
Timeline
Registration opens
26 August 2026
Registration deadline
5 October 2026
Offline round
TBD
Venue
Panelists
To be revealed
To be revealed