Pi Wars – the Raspberry Pi robotics challenge competition

What is Pi Wars?

Pi Wars is an international, challenge-based robotics competition in which teams build Raspberry Pi-controlled robots and then compete in various non-destructive challenges to earn points. The competition takes place over a single weekend and prizes and medals are awarded to those competing at the end of each day. In previous years, we've had teams from schools, families, groups of hobbyists and solo roboteers. We can take up to 76 teams over the event weekend which takes place in Cambridge, UK. The competition is open to anyone from around the world. To get a flavour of the day, take a look at the video below or check out other Pi Wars videos on YouTube.

Pi Wars 2019

The 2019 event took place on 30th & 31st March at the Cambridge Computer Laboratory in England. More information.

Future events

We are currently weighing up options for future Pi Wars events. Please sign up to our mailing list for announcements.

PiWarsBot

The brilliant artist Thomas Heasman-Hunt, who runs @smolrobots, was at Pi Wars 2019 and has drawn the wonderful PiWarsBot. If you'd like to buy a t-shirt, gift or other merchandise featuring this bot, head over to Redbubble.

#PiWars tweets

#PiWars

MrPJEvansPJ Evans@MrPJEvans·
14 May

A very fiddly but rewarding evening putting together my #PiWars badge battery case. Nice work @ZodiusInfuser !

4
Reply on Twitter 1128367986379776000Retweet on Twitter 1128367986379776000Like on Twitter 1128367986379776000Twitter 1128367986379776000
drfootlegDr Footleg@drfootleg·
13 May

@pinski1_ @piofthings I ran my brushless nerf firing motor and basic esc from the pwm servo driver board on my #PiWars bot. Not sure if that would have given the required level of control for wheel motors? But it was a simple set up.

Reply on Twitter 1128015142598393856Retweet on Twitter 1128015142598393856Like on Twitter 11280151425983938561Twitter 1128015142598393856
pinski1_The Fallen@pinski1_·
13 May

@piofthings mmmm yeah. There isn't really one.
I'd equate a 3kg #PiWars bot with a 1.5kg #CombatRobot, so 25mm/22mm gearboxes and 1806 brushless motors would be a good combo. There a few good guides for this.

Reply on Twitter 1128010042182119425Retweet on Twitter 1128010042182119425Like on Twitter 1128010042182119425Twitter 1128010042182119425
drfootlegDr Footleg@drfootleg·
13 May

Still buzzing from our day at @Makers_Central
Here is my Natalie showing her #PiWars robot to @estefanniegg and @AnyTechnology. Check it out on Estefanni’s Instagram story from the show too. My little girl holding her own amongst some great YouTubers!

Reply on Twitter 1127951534682193920Retweet on Twitter 1127951534682193920Like on Twitter 11279515346821939202Twitter 1127951534682193920
piofthingsPi of things@piofthings·
12 May

Well the good news is that the new motors are insanely torquey and will drive the 3.5 Kg behemoth easily... Bad news is all the controller code is rubbish and the mechanical design isn't feasible. Let's fix the controller code first! #HereWeGo #PiWars

Pi of things@piofthings

Hah... new motors have some serious current draw... rebooted both the Pis... the wall wart only provides about 2.5A... might have to test this on battery only! #HereWeGo #PiWars

Reply on Twitter 1127656690864803842Retweet on Twitter 1127656690864803842Like on Twitter 1127656690864803842Twitter 1127656690864803842
piofthingsPi of things@piofthings·
12 May

Hah... new motors have some serious current draw... rebooted both the Pis... the wall wart only provides about 2.5A... might have to test this on battery only! #HereWeGo #PiWars

Reply on Twitter 1127634391071645703Retweet on Twitter 1127634391071645703Like on Twitter 1127634391071645703Twitter 1127634391071645703
thetuftiiClaire Pollard@thetuftii·
12 May

@recantha *sigh* They were quite weighty when I was lifting them at the end of #PiWars. Hope you've got a hand! 🙁

Reply on Twitter 1127553540208111616Retweet on Twitter 1127553540208111616Like on Twitter 11275535402081116162Twitter 1127553540208111616
MolloyLaurenceLaurence Molloy@MolloyLaurence·
10 May

@DrLucyRogers Yup. A variant of rule zero.

Burnt a mark in my couch due to this very problem in the run up to #PiWars

Reply on Twitter 1126892409869217798Retweet on Twitter 1126892409869217798Like on Twitter 1126892409869217798Twitter 1126892409869217798
Load More...

Badges and trophies

At Pi Wars 2019, well-known manufacturer 4tronix made our Badges and Trophies.

For code for the Badges and Trophies, please visit piwars.org/badge

Sponsorship

Please contact us if you are at all interested in sponsoring future competitions. Detailed information about sponsorship can be found on this page.