You'll need at least one, preferable two line sensors to detect the edge of the ring. Parallax sells the QTI sensor that should work for this purpose and it is cheap. I think boe bot has some IR sensors which you can use for opponent detection. So some sort of plow mounted on the front would be good for helping lift and push opponents.
The software to control this should be simple. Generally you hit the start button and the robot must wait 5 seconds. It then seeks out its opponent using the IR and rams them. If the edge of the ring is detected it should back off.
If you are looking to learn - I would get the BoeBot. It has lots of accessories that will keep you busy. The BoeBot and its manual will teach you all sorts of things. Unless you need the serial cable, get the USB version - they are the same price. Just look around on the Parallax website. You can find grippers, legs, tank treads, remote control kit, and all sorts of sensors. So - it is very easy to expand as you learn more.
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- Stephen
John Abshier
The software to control this should be simple. Generally you hit the start button and the robot must wait 5 seconds. It then seeks out its opponent using the IR and rams them. If the edge of the ring is detected it should back off.
Download the SumoBot manual here in pdf for free. It should give you some good ideas.
http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/robo/sumobotman.pdf
Also look here for parts - http://www.parallax.com/Store/Robots/RollingRobots/tabid/128/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/316/Default.aspx
This is for the SumoBot Complete - but if you click a part on the parts list - the individual part comes up.
Be careful on buying too many parts - before you know it - you could have bought the whole kit!
Have fun and good luck. Post some pics when you get it going.
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
Check out the Robotics with the BoeBot manual for free here http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/books/edu/Roboticsv2_2.pdf
If you keep your eye open on the Daliy Deal, you may even find it on sale or wait for a free shipping weekend and save the shipping costs.
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney