Join us for Hebocon, a family-friendly, “crappy” robot competition! We’re looking for builders of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels for a fun day of building and battling robots. Build with a team, or try your luck as an individual. We’ll provide all the materials to build your very own robot, so all you need to bring is your imagination!
This event has ended.
Join us for Hebocon, a family-friendly, “crappy” robot competition! We’re looking for builders of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels for a fun day of building and battling robots. Build with a team, or try your luck as an individual. We’ll provide all the materials to build your very own robot, so all you need to bring is your imagination!
Hebocon is included with a Museum Entry ticket. This event is for ages 6 and older. You’ll get access to the Hebocon Building Arena in our Rotunda, a wide range of cool and crazy supplies, and a chance to either showcase your ‘bot live on the big screen or put your robot to the test in a robot battle. Parking and food are not included, but are available for purchase at the Museum.
The Main Event Robot Battle is a bracketed competition limited to 64 robots. You can decide at the event if you would like to enter your creation into the Main Event Robot Battle. If you do not want to battle, there are other opportunities to showcase your robot – and maybe win some fun prizes!
Everyone gets to take home their robot. And you are invited to spend the rest of the day exploring MSI’s exhibits!
Schedule
9 a.m. Check in begins
9:30 a.m. Robot building begins
11 a.m. Check in closes; live robot showcase on the big screen begins
12:30 p.m. Entries for Main Event Robot Battle submitted (64 available)
1 p.m. Main Event Robot Battle begins
2:30 p.m. Main Event Robot Battle ends
Done building your robot early, or need a break? You are welcome to explore the rest of the Museum or visit the Brain Food Court for lunch. You’ll receive a wristband that will allow you entry into the Hebocon Build Arena.
Rules
- You can’t bring a robot you built at home. All robots must be made from the random parts and pieces provided.
- We’ll provide these tools for robot building: glue guns, drills, scissors, wire strippers/cutters, pliers and other common tools.
- Does it move? Then it’s a robot. Your robot doesn’t have to be powered electronically or controlled remotely to be considered a robot.
- The robot battle takes place on a board measuring 100 cm x 50 cm. The goal is to push your adversary out of the ring. Each battle lasts one minute. If there’s no clear winner, our referee will pick one.
- Safety is our number one priority; anyone who acts in an unsafe manner may be removed from Hebocon and possibly the Museum. Please check out our other conduct policies: (https://www.msichicago.org/terms-of-visit/).
- All participants must agree to the Participant Agreement, Waiver and Release (link) (children under 18 require parent signature on this form).
Learn more about Hebocon here:
http://portal.nifty.com/hebocon/whats_en.htm
