Cattitude to Defend Title

More agile... Every bit as solid... Faster than last year's champion ... Boasting an even stronger weapon. Cattitude is ready to meet all comers in late April.

Last year's robot, Bearclaw, devastated the field in the National Scholastic BattleBot Competition and was literally the last robot standing. Last year's team came away with not only first place but the Best Engineering Award and the Best Driving Award. Is this year's entry ready to raise the bar even higher? Can the team handle the pressure of competing on national television?

"We learned a lot from last year's team and watching the competition showed how all the bots performed. We are ready. Cattitude is one really mean robot," declares David Amos, team member. "Cattitude will rule in Vallejo." BattleBots 2009: Collegiate Championship is scheduled to begin April 21 in Vallejo, California.

"The armor worked really well so we kept the titanium shell but were able to reduce the weight of the frame while retaining its strength," adds Cory Kissel, team leader. Weight is a key element as the team is competing in a middleweight division and the total cannot exceed 120 pounds. The basic shape and attack strategy are similar to Bearclaw but the improvements are numerous.

Four wheel drive enhances maneuverability in a totally new propulsion system. "Bigger wheels mounted on axles with ball bearings will make Cattitude faster and more agile while also increasing the strength of the whole unit," comments team member Andy Holtkamp. "The wheels were mounted independently last year and they were sagging by the end of the day. We'll be strong at the finish."

Eleven teams are committed to the competition and they will be delighted to know that Cattitude sports an even heavier weapon! Cattitude is an engine of destruction. Its agility, speed and low center of gravity work toward one goal - bring the weapon to the other robot and chew it to scrap metal. The attack end of Cattitude features the weapon at the end of a tapered snout.

Weight saved in the lighter frame and in different batteries is in the weapon. "The weapon is a machined steel drum with numerous teeth that rotates at a high speed," claims team member Marc Bridewell. "Cattitude could well be likened to a tailless alligator - compact with a snout full of teeth."

"Our sponsors provided us with the materials and support we needed to succeed. It was up to the team to turn them into a winning robot. They have done well in overcoming production challenges. Machining the drum is a complex proposition, and securing the armor to the frame so as to withstand punishment is an interesting exercise as is determining how to implement 4 - wheel drive on axles," states Janet Dong, Assistant Professor and Team Advisor. "I am looking forward to seeing Cattitude in action."

Look for Cattitude and its competition as they square - off on national television. We'll post the time and station as soon as it's listed. Then come and see Cattitude at 2009 Tech Expo on May 7th.

The 2009 BattleBot Team:
David Amos, Sr.
Marc Bridewell, Sr.
Andy Holtkamp, Sr.
Cory Kissel, Sr.

BattleBot Team Sponsors include:
Aeronca,INC.
Colerain Hobbies
MAG Industrial Automation Systems
Mtn Racks
The Procter & Gamble Company
Siemens

Additional Links:
Mechanical Engineering Options at Applied Science
BattleBots 2009: Collegiate Championship
2009 Tech Expo
Bearclaw's Story

For a print copy of the 2009 BattleBot Story - Click Here