Embedded Files
A Sumo Robot (or Robot-Sumo) is a small autonomous robot that competes in a match similar to sumo wrestling — but instead of human wrestlers, two robots try to push each other out of a circular ring. It’s a very popular robotics competition for students, makers, and hobbyists.
🤖 What is a Sumo Robot?
🤖 What is a Sumo Robot?
A Sumo Robot is also called autonomous wrestling robot:
Fully autonomous (no remote control allowed)
Designed to detect an opponent robot
Built to push the opponent out of the ring
Equipped with sensors for edge detection and enemy detection
Often very fast and powerful for its size
Competitions are held worldwide (Japan, Europe, US, etc.).
🟩 Types of Sumo Robots
🟩 Types of Sumo Robots
Depending on size and rules:
Mini Sumo
Mini Sumo
10 cm × 10 cm max size
Up to ~500 g weight
Most popular beginner category
Micro Sumo
Micro Sumo
Even smaller (~5 cm robots)
Full-size (Mega Sumo)
Full-size (Mega Sumo)
Larger, often up to several kilograms
Much more powerful motors
🟧 What parts does a Sumo Robot have?
🟧 What parts does a Sumo Robot have?
Typical hardware:
Motors (fast + high torque)
Motor drivers (H-bridge)
Microcontroller (Arduino, ESP32, STM32, etc.)
Battery (Li-Po)
Sensors (IR, IMU, optical flow)
Strong wedge-shaped front to lift the opponent
Rubber high-grip wheels
🟪 What a Sumo Robot does during a match
🟪 What a Sumo Robot does during a match
Starts spinning to search for the opponent
When it detects something, it charges forward
Maintains pressure and pushes
Avoids falling off by detecting the ring edge
May perform strategies like:
Fake retreat then attack
Spin scanning
Corner trap
Hit fast then re-center
🟦 Basic Rules
🟦 Basic Rules
Although rules vary slightly between competitions, the common basics are:
1. The ring (dohyō)
1. The ring (dohyō)
A circular ring, typically 77 cm diameter
Made of black surface
Surrounded by a white border line
Robots must detect the white line and avoid crossing it
2. Match objective
2. Match objective
Two robots are placed in the ring
Once the match starts, the robots must act autonomously
They try to push each other out of the ring
If a robot leaves the ring, the round is lost
3. No remote control
3. No remote control
Robots must operate entirely on their own after the referee starts the match.
🟥 What sensors does a Sumo Robot use?
🟥 What sensors does a Sumo Robot use?
Sumo robots commonly use:
✓ Opponent detection
✓ Opponent detection
IR distance sensors (widely used)
Ultrasonic sensors (sometimes)
Laser ToF sensors (advanced)
✓ Ring-edge detection
✓ Ring-edge detection
IR reflectance sensors facing downward
Detect the white boundary line
Prevent falling out of the ring
✓ Movement tracking (optional)
✓ Movement tracking (optional)
Wheel encoders
IMU (gyroscope + accelerometer)
Optical flow sensors (sometimes)
A very fun show about Sumo Robot and the amazing competition
A fun show of Sumo Robot
LEGO Sumo Robot
A Sumo Robot kit from pcbway.com
A Mini Sumo Robot shown in Robot SM: From design to compete
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse