Competitions

Engineering Through Competition

The Association of Competitive Engineers (ACE) provides Texas Tech University students with opportunities to apply their engineering knowledge through hands-on robotics competitions. From designing and manufacturing components to programming, testing, and troubleshooting, students gain practical experience while working collaboratively to solve real engineering challenges.

ACE currently supports eight student-led combat robotics teams and participates in robotics events that challenge students to develop innovative, reliable, and competitive designs. Competition is an important part of ACE's mission to develop engineering talent through applied learning and teamwork.

Combat Robotics

ACE Combat Robotics is a student-led program in which members design, build, test, and improve combat robots. Students work through the complete engineering process, including computer-aided design (CAD), component selection, fabrication, electronics, assembly, and testing. Teams must balance performance, weight, cost, reliability, and project schedules as they prepare their robots for competition.

Current competitions use 1-pound hybrid antweight robots, with a maximum ready-to-fight weight of 454 grams. Robots must follow established construction and safety requirements, including the use of appropriate materials, radio failsafes, and weapon locks. Members can learn more about these requirements through ACE's official Combat Robotics rules.

View the 2026 ACE Combat Robotics Rules (PDF)

Upcoming Competitions

• ACE Fight Night: November 14, 2026
• RoboCup: December 12–14, 2026

ACE is also preparing for additional external competition opportunities during the 2026–2027 academic year. Additional dates and event details will be announced as they are confirmed.

Robot in 3 Days: ACE x TRA

September 24–26, 2026

ACE collaborated with the Tech Robotics Association (TRA) for Robot in 3 Days (RI3D), a fast-paced engineering challenge built around the FIRST Tech Challenge BioBuzz game. Over three days, students worked through strategy development, CAD, mechanical construction, programming, integration, and testing to produce a competition-ready robot.

The event began at the ACE Lab at the Reese Technology Center before moving to TRA's competition field for final testing and competition. The collaboration gave students an opportunity to apply their engineering skills under tight deadlines while working across multiple technical disciplines.

Competition Results

• 1st Place
• Best Design Award

ACE's performance highlighted the value of rapid prototyping, collaboration, and iterative design. The experience demonstrated how students can apply engineering principles to solve complex problems while adapting their designs throughout the development process.

Get Involved

Students interested in participating in ACE competitions are encouraged to attend an open lab session and connect with the organization's officers. ACE offers opportunities for students with different levels of experience to develop technical skills and contribute to student-led robotics teams.

Tuesday Open Lab and Teaching Nights: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Saturday Open Lab: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Location: ACE Lab, Building 460, Reese Technology Center

For additional information about membership and upcoming activities, contact ACE at ttu.ace.engineers@gmail.com.