🛡️ MANDATORY: Test Box/Arena Required

Never test a powered combat robot outside a test box or arena. All functional testing must be conducted in proper containment to protect against weapon failures, runaway robots, and flying debris. This includes basic drive tests, weapon spin-ups, and all system verification procedures.

View Safety Requirements Test Box Plans (Coming Soon)

🚨 CRITICAL SAFETY: Failsafe Prevents Injury

A runaway robot can cause serious injury or property damage. Failsafe is your emergency stop when radio contact is lost during testing, practice, or competition. When transmitter is turned off, all robot movement must stop immediately - drive motors, weapon motors, everything. Test failsafe before every competition, and after changing the receiver or transmitter.

Essential Tutorial: Team Just 'Cuz Robotics

This comprehensive tutorial from Seth Schaffer covers radio failsafe and arming switch programming for combat robots. This is the most important video to watch before your first competition.

Key topics covered: Proper failsafe setup, arming switch configuration, safety protocols, and competition requirements. Essential viewing for all combat robot builders.

Critical: Failsafe Setup

Proper failsafe configuration is mandatory for competition safety. Always configure failsafe through your transmitter menu.

1

Set Transmitter to Safe Position

With robot powered on and transmitter on, set all sticks to neutral/safe positions:

  • Drive channels (1 & 2): Center sticks (neutral position)
  • Weapon channel (3): Full down position (weapon off)
2

Configure Failsafe via Transmitter Menu

Navigate to your transmitter's failsafe settings (commonly found under "System," "Functions," "RX Setup," or "Failsafe" menus). Select each channel individually and set failsafe values:

  • Channels 1 & 2: Set to 0% (neutral/center position)
  • Channel 3: Set to -100% (full-down position for weapon off)

Avoid "Hold" mode if available - always use specific position values. Save/apply the configuration before proceeding to testing.

Important: Menu paths vary by transmitter model. Don't rely on factory default failsafe settings. Confirm settings are saved before testing.
3

Test Failsafe Operation

With robot secured in test box and weapon disabled, turn OFF the transmitter. All robot movement should stop immediately. If anything continues moving, repeat failsafe setup.

Safety: Always test failsafe with robot secured in test box. Never test with an active weapon outside containment.

FlySky FS2A Receiver Binding

Step-by-step procedure for binding the most common combat robotics receiver to your transmitter.

1

Prepare Receiver

Hold down the bind button on the FS2A receiver while powering it on. The blue LED should start flashing rapidly.

2

Transmitter Bind Mode

Put your FlySky transmitter into bind mode. This varies by model - consult your transmitter manual for the specific procedure.

3

Confirm Binding

The receiver LED should change from rapid flashing to a slower, steady pattern when successfully bound. Turn transmitter off and on to verify connection.

Verification: Move transmitter sticks to confirm receiver responds before proceeding to failsafe setup.

ESC Calibration

Speed controllers must be calibrated to recognize transmitter signal ranges for proper operation.

Universal Calibration Procedure

  1. Turn on transmitter with sticks centered and trims neutral
  2. Set the stick to the maximum throttle position
  3. Power on the ESC and wait for ESC tune to complete
  4. Move stick to minimum position
  5. Wait for second confirmation tone
  6. ESC Calibration is complete. Test throttle
  7. Perform a power cycle

Functional Failsafe Testing Procedures

Complete step-by-step testing protocol to verify failsafe operates correctly under all conditions. Must be conducted in test box/arena.

Pre-Test Setup & Load-in Procedures

  1. Place robot in test box/arena with weapon restraints installed
  2. Turn on transmitter and place on table where no one will accidentally touch it
  3. Power on robot and confirm successful binding (receiver LED indicates connection)
  4. Close test box door completely before picking up transmitter
  5. Important: Transmitter must remain untouched on table until door is closed

Phase 1: Drive System Failsafe Test (Weapon Restrained)

  1. Pick up transmitter and drive robot to center of arena
  2. Test basic movement - drive forward/backward, turn left/right
  3. Put robot in continuous spinning circle, maintain pressure on control stick, then immediately power off transmitter while stick is still held
  4. Test Results:
    • ✅ PASS: All motion stops immediately → Proceed to Phase 2
    • ❌ FAIL: Any continued movement → Stop testing, reconfigure failsafe
  5. Note: Weapon restraints remain installed throughout this entire phase

Phase 2: Weapon System Failsafe Test

  1. Power transmitter back on and confirm robot responds
  2. Drive robot to door area
  3. Place transmitter back on table (do not handle until door is closed)
  4. Remove weapon restraints
  5. Close door and pick up transmitter
  6. Drive to center of arena
  7. Spin weapon to full throttle
  8. With weapon at maximum throttle (maintain throttle position), immediately power off transmitter
  9. Test Results:
    • ✅ PASS: All motion stops immediately (drive AND weapon) → Robot is competition ready
    • ❌ FAIL: Any continued movement → Stop testing, reconfigure failsafe

Critical Safety Protocols

  • • Never handle transmitter until door is closed
  • • Weapon restraints stay installed during drive-only testing
  • • Always close door before testing unrestrained weapons
  • • If any phase fails, do not proceed to next phase
  • • Retest complete sequence after any failsafe reconfiguration

Competition Readiness Checklist

Complete this comprehensive test before declaring your robot competition-ready. All powered testing must be conducted in a test box or arena.

Critical Safety Tests

  • Failsafe triggers when transmitter is turned off
  • All motors stop immediately during failsafe
  • Robot cannot be started without transmitter on
  • Main power switch cuts all power to robot
  • No movement when transmitter sticks are centered

Functional Tests

  • Robot drives forward and backward smoothly
  • Robot turns left and right without binding
  • Weapon spins up and down controllably (if applicable)
  • All indicator LEDs function correctly
  • No loose connections or intermittent behavior

Final Inspection

  • All fasteners properly tightened
  • No sharp edges or loose components
  • Weight within competition limits
  • All team members understand robot operation and robot safety