How to Build a Robot Arena

Choose or set down proper flooring for your arena, with an eye to what the arena will be used for.

For example, an arena wherein a robot's speed will be judged would require a rubberized floor that provides good grip. An arena that will house a winner-take-all battle, on the other hand, would probably be better positioned on a durable, non-flammable surface, like concrete or metal.

Wall in your arena with a sturdy material; popular choices include wood, plastic and thin metal sheathing.

Again, make your decision based on the type of contests being held in your arena; if destruction and mayhem are inevitable, metal sheathing reinforced with wood panels are your best option. If, on the other hand, your arena will be home to nothing more dangerous than exhibition robots nudging soccer balls through hoops, then a simple wooden wall will suffice.

Light your arena from above according to how much the audience needs to see, and the effect you wish to produce.

A battleground needs nothing special in the way of lighting; enough so the audience can mark the wounds and shrapnel, but not much more. An exhibition arena wherein robots are being finely judged require much brighter lighting to reveal small details.

Create and place obstacles and/or traps in your arena for the robots to overcome, if the type of contest requires it.

For gladiator-style robotic competitions, typical traps and obstacles include damaging wall spikes, trap doors that will fall open should a robot roll across them, increased and decreased gradation of the floor, etc.

Construct and position audience viewpoints, usually nothing fancier than rows and rows of folding chairs, preferably tiered somehow so that everyone gets a good view.

If a judge's table is necessary, the best position to judge from is right next to the wall of the arena, midway down the length of the arena.

Install audience shielding around the edges of the arena, if necessary. Gladiator-style competitions tend to result in lots of explosions, flying shrapnel (and robots), and other hazards that it would be unwise to expose your audience to.

The most popular choice for shielding is Plexiglas, as it's both transparent (so your audience can see), and extremely impact-resistant (so your audience is safe).