Plan on about $100 for the electronics kit.
The core electronics for a competitive plastic ant run about $100 — weapon electronics and battery included. The transmitter, charger, and printed structure sit outside that number. Vendor prices change; the linked suppliers are authoritative.
The ~$100 electronics kit
Everything that powers, controls, and safely operates the robot, weapon electronics included:
| Component | What to know |
|---|---|
| 2× brushed drive motors | Repeat Robotics Mini Brushed Mk2 — the recommended pair ($20 each). Far more reliable than N20s at 1 lb; brushed drive is an IRL rule. |
| Dual drive ESC | Repeat Budget Ant Brushed DESC (~$15). One board runs both drive motors and powers the receiver (BEC). Enable mixing during setup. |
| Weapon motor + weapon ESC | RS2205-class brushless motor (~$10) plus a 35A ESC (~$10). Building a wedge? Skip both and pocket the savings. |
| Receiver (optional, ~$13) | The transmitter ships with a receiver, so this is not part of the ~$100. Our teams still prefer the FlySky FS2A for compact wiring. |
| Power switch / removable link | The rules-required disconnect, reachable from outside. The FingerTech mini switch is the example (~$9). |
| LEGO tires + printed hubs | LEGO 37×22 mm tires (~$2 each) on 3D-printed hubs — the standard wheel. |
| 3S LiPo battery | 3S is the class maximum and an inspection item (~$13, e.g. 450 mAh). Buy two, so one charges while one fights. |
The required lines above come to roughly $100 per robot at retail, before shipping and tax. Buying in bulk for a team brings it down.
Not included in the $100:
- Transmitter — FlySky i6 (~$59, receiver included). One per builder, not per robot, and it lasts for years.
- Balance charger and LiPo-safe bag (shared household gear, bought once)
- Printed structure and fasteners
- Tools, shipping, and tax
Check current prices at Repeat Robotics ↗
Add-on essentials
Small consumables and spares that save matches. Keep these in your pit box:
- Spare wheels and hubs — at least one full set, plus set screws and threadlocker
- Assorted M2/M3/M5 screw kits and #4 plastite screws (~$10 each; buy in bulk for the season)
- MF105ZZ ball bearings for spinning weapons (~$9 for a pack)
- 18 AWG silicone wire, XT30 connectors, bullet connectors, heat-shrink
- Battery checker — check voltage before and after every fight
- Spares of anything that touches the opponent — print two
Tools & safety
- Hex drivers (quality tips) and nut drivers
- Wire stripper and flush cutters
- Temperature-controlled soldering iron
- Multimeter, calipers, magnetic parts tray
- Safety glasses for all pit work — one pair per person
No printer? School and library printers and mail-order services can produce the permitted materials — details on the printing page.
Suppliers
Repeat Robotics
Drive motors, ESCs, and the antweight kit.
FingerTech Robotics
Switches, safety hardware, and tools.
Team Malice
SCAR kits and components.
Palm Beach Bots
Wide parts selection.
Bristol Bot Builders
Kits and parts.