Jack of All Trades Robotics- David Spade Antweight Battlebot

My name is James. I'm a high school senior, and founded a 3D printing R&D, robotics, and industrial design startup, Big Guy Enterprises (@bigguyenterprises on Instagram). As part of my STEM interests, branching from experience in FIRST Robotics through FTC and FRC (firstinspires.org), I've recently started a combat robotics team, Jack of All Trades Robotics, to help develop my skills for more real-world situations, especially to prepare me as I enter college (Industrial Design at SCAD).

Competing at the CenTex FTC Decode Regional Competition

with team 23350 (Inspire 2 Award Winners)

JOAT Robotics competes in combat robotics, specifically in the antweight (1 lb) size division. We build and program highly efficient and competitive robots, with the goal of advancing our skills with each iteration and competition.

Introducing: David Spade

Clad in steel armor, and armed with a titanium beater, David Spade is a compact, agile robot that aims to blend high defensiveness and offensiveness. It is powered by dual 1k RPM N20 motors, controlled by a Malenki Nano dual ESC and receiver, to provide power and speed, all in a lightweight package. Powering the weapon is a brushless drone motor, which takes advantage of the inertia of the beater to send opponents flying. All of this is enclosed in a TPU chassis, to maximize impact resistiveness, blanketed a 2mm stainless steel sheet metal shell. Additionally, the chassis has been engineered to prevent immobilization, not only by protecting the wheels and being able to drive upside down, but by preventing being stuck sideways by incorporating side angles.

Inside view of David Spade                                               Steel armor shell (*unpocketed)

On the offensive side, David Spade sports a vertical “eggbeater” style spinner. The beater is composed of a titanium body (providing a good blend of strength and weight), with countersunk M5 bolt heads as teeth, to provide a strong bite, while being able to maintain sharp teeth by replacing the bolts. It is spun with a brushless drone motor, engineered to balance speed and torque, to help make up for where the weapon lacks.

Titanium Eggbeater w/M5 Countersunk Bolts (teeth)

Although the competitive aspect is a very important aspect of the team, it does not surpass the need to innovate. To encourage this, each robot is allowed to be worked on until it accomplishes two 1st place wins, when at that point, the bot is retired. This facilitates a drive to win, but through constant innovation, because of the limited usage of each robot, preventing over-reliance on one design.

Our electronics include a Malenki Nano that acts as a receiver and a dual ESC for our drivetrain, connected to a brushless motor ESC for our weapon, which provides a lightweight, and intuitive solution for our control system. Additionally we use a small Fingertech Mini power switch, connected to an 850 mAh 2S LiPO battery. These are connected to a FlySky FS-i6 controller for customizable control.

FlySky FS-i6                                  Fingertech Mini Power Switch       Malenki Nano

Why PCBWay’s Support Matters

Robotics is expensive. Electronics are re-useable, but with constant iteration manufacturing costs run high, especially in combat robotics, where armor and weapons become consumables. PCBWay would allow us to be more competitive, iterate at a faster and more efficient rate, and experiment with less typical materials.

In return, JOAT will proudly represent PCBWay on our robot by including the PCBWay logo on our armor plates, give them top placement on a sponsor banner at our team pit, and include special mentions & tags on all social media outreach and documentation. We share competition updates, robot designs, and robotics-related content on social media (@joatrobotics on Instagram), starting with the robot reveal the week of our first competition (Red Dirt Rumble, April 11, 2026).

Concept of PCBWay logo on outer armor plates

To give back, we will provide support to other teams through mentoring & resources, to pass forward what I have learned and been given through others.

We are excited for a potential collaboration opportunity with PCBWay, and to begin a great competitive robotics career with their support.