The Faculty of Technology at SLTC Research University is proud to present Lethal Bots 2026, the third edition of the university’s flagship combat robotics tournament. The competition brings together student engineers who design, build, and battle their own custom robots, putting engineering skill, creativity, and strategy to the test inside the arena.
More than a spectacle of sparks and steel, Lethal Bots celebrates robotic innovation and builds a community of enthusiasts. Every machine in the arena represents months of design work, fabrication, and testing by its team.
The Competition
Matches take place in a 15 ft × 15 ft arena fitted with two hazards, a pit and a spinner, that add an extra layer of danger to every fight. Each battle runs for three minutes of active fight time, with the tournament following a double-elimination format: every robot gets a second chance, but two losses mean elimination.
Victory goes to the last robot standing. When both machines survive the full three minutes, a panel of judges decides the winner based on four criteria: aggression (5 points), damage (5 points), defense (3 points), and bot control (3 points).
Building a Battle-Ready Machine
Every robot must meet strict design standards before it is cleared to compete:
- Maximum weight of 15 kg
- Dimensions within 45 cm × 45 cm × 45 cm
- Internal power supply only, not exceeding 24 V between any two points
- No internal combustion engines, detachable secondary bots, signal jammers, or liquid-based weapons
All robots undergo a technical and safety inspection before combat, with a mandatory second inspection ahead of the semi-finals to ensure no unauthorized modifications have been made.
Teams and Participation
Teams may have up to three members, including alternates, led by a team leader who handles registration and communications. Flame-based weapons are permitted under controlled conditions, limited to seven-second bursts and a maximum of three uses per round.
Safety remains the tournament’s top priority at every stage, from design and construction through to competition, overseen by a dedicated panel of judges, stewards, and referees.
Lethal Bots 2026 promises another thrilling showcase of what SLTC’s engineering talent can achieve when innovation meets competition. Full rules and regulations are available in the official Tournament Rules document (3rd Edition).
For rule clarifications, teams may contact Lethal Bots officials through the tournament’s official communication channels.
