Witness the robot carnage at this two-day event filled with robot fights, engineering, and discovery for the whole family!
Catawba Science Center is proud to host the 10th annual Hickory Bot Battles returning September 17th and 18th 2027. Featuring over 100 competitive combat robot builders, robots weighing up to three pounds fight to the "death" in the 8’ x 8’ bulletproof arena with a fiberglass floor.
• Trophies for 1st through 3rd place for Fairy, Plastic Ant, Ant, & Beetle class • First place trophies only for each member of the Bot Hockey team • US Conec Engineering Innovation award for best novel bot design • Corporate Cup Competition Trophy (and bragging rights) One of North Carolina's largest combat robot events is a great opportunity for families or anyone interested in robotics to watch competitors from across the country, often including teams that have previously competed on the BattleBots TV show. Watch exciting 2-minute battles to 'the death', meet the builders, and cheer on your favorite robots, to be held in Carpenter Hall in the main Arts & Science Building.
Bot Battles will be live-streamed on the CSC YouTube channel
Subscribe to know when battles go LIVE!
Subscribe on YouTubeTimes subject to change before the 2027 battle dates.
Friday, September 17th
Member (Adult, Youth, Senior): $3.50
Nonmember (Adult, Youth, Senior): $6.50
Saturday, September 18th
Member (Adult, Youth, Senior): $6.50
Nonmember (Adult, Youth, Senior): $9.50
Each year, Catawba Science Center hosts a multi-week course to help you design, build, and program your 1-lb combat robot! The last class is a competition to test your bot in the ring, or save and register it for Hickory Bot Battles in September. Learn the basics to build your very own combat robot, including 3D printing, CAD software, and more!
2026: April 26, May 3, & 17 from 1:30 to 4:00pm in the Foothills Collaboratory.
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