May 4, 2004

Media Advisory: Robot Sumo PhotoOp at 6p.m. May 10

An unusual photo/video opportunity will occur when some unique Sumo wrestlers display their strength, speed, agility and intelligence as they try to overpower their opponents and push them out of the ring. What’s unique is that these Sumo contestants weigh only 6.6 pounds and they’re autonomously controlled robots designed by Boise State University engineering students. The Sumo robots will compete in a Japanese-style, head-to-head, double elimination tournament at 6 p.m. Monday, May 10, in Room 106 of the Micron Engineering Center, located in the engineering complex off of University Drive. Enter the building through the Manitou Avenue entrance. Media representatives are welcome to record the competition and interview students. The competition is expected to run until about 7 p.m. The room will be open for students to set up at 5:30 p.m. Robot Sumo originated in Japan and is very popular there, with more than 4,000 teams. It has become one of the most popular robotics competitions worldwide. Japanese rules specify that the robot weigh no more than 6.6 pounds and fit inside a 7.875 inch square box. The Dohyo, or competition ring, is 5 feet in diameter. The Sumo robots, designed by students in mechanical engineering professor John Gardner’s mechatronics class, are not remote controlled, but are autonomous, with their electronics, sensors and programs making all the decisions. For more information, please contact Gardner at 426-5702 or jgardner@boisestate.edu. Or call Pat Pyke at 426-1987.