SRiMech

From Combat Robot

Some robot and weapon designs are not compatible with inverted operation. A Self Righting Mechanism is an active design element that returns an inverted robot to mobility in the upright state.

The SRiMech is typically an electric or pneumatic arm or extension on the upper surface of the robot which pushes against the arena floor to roll or flip the robot upright. Some carefully designed flipping or lifting weapons can perform double-duty as SRiMechs.

Even a vertical spinning weapon may be used as a crude self-righting device. Team Nightmare's lightweight vertical spinner Backlash was designed such that when flipped it would hit the ground with the spinning disc and kick back upright.

Although UK Robot Wars competitor Cassius is credited with the first demonstration of a SRiMech in competition at the Second Wars (1998), the 1996 US Robot Wars champion Biohazard was capable of self-righting via its highly extensible lifting arm. Biohazard's self-righting ability was lost when the hinged side skirts were added in 1997.