Building more than robots

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing something you’ve built come to life – it’s alive! – and then smash into something else. I grew up on Robot Wars and loved seeing the different robots, their weapons, and shouting them on as they battled. It was a big factor in my decision to pursue a career as a Product Design Engineer.

So when my manager Anna (CEB’s Technical Operations Manager) raised the idea of creating our own in 2023 at CEB, I was immediately on board. I could see straightaway how it would boost hands-on engineering skills in our students, from first year students all the way to our postgraduates.

It was also an exciting chance to reward my inner child, who has never been happier in the workplace. There’s something special about doing something you love, and Robot Club has been one of the most rewarding activities I’ve ever taken part in.

When we first kicked off Robot Club, we didn’t really know what we were doing – we just had a great idea, and a lot of enthusiasm. Two years on, we’ve made mistakes, we’ve fixed them, and we’ve ended up with an all-inclusive club we’re proud of and want to share.

We’ve figured out what works, and we’ve developed as close to a ‘plug and play’ kit as possible, so it should be easy – and cost-effective – for other departments to join in.

It’s important to be honest about it being a time commitment. I’m not going to pretend I haven’t put in some long hours as the main organiser – the first year nearly broke me without a small team to help – which is why it’s crucial to have 2 or 3 organisers from year 1, to share this load. Both organisers and builders have to be willing to put in a few hours a week outside of normal working hours and contribute to a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. It will be as successful as the effort you put in.

But what you get back is huge. I’ve laughed more than I ever expected and built proper working relationships with colleagues I’d never met. I feel more a part of CEB than ever, and more connected across the department as well. From discovering a hidden talent for commentating in a colleague to a hilarious first-year defeat because they forgot to charge a battery, there have been so many memorable moments.

It’s beneficial in a way that doesn’t feel forced, and breaking down silos has been just one of the accidental bonuses of something designed to make use of our workshop. That goal is still a part of the activity, but it can be made more or less central depending on what you want from taking part, and how much of the designs and kits you choose to use.

One of the biggest assumptions people have is that a club like this must be difficult to run. In practice, it’s far simpler than expected once you know a few lessons and you won’t need a fully equipped workshop or a group of robotics experts.