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    BattleBots® Robotics Academy
    In-person Program

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy

    by iD Tech

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy combines robot building, C++ programming, AI vision and 3D design in a team project that culminates in an arena battle and showcase.

    Last verified: 7 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    BattleBots® Robotics Academy at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Beginner to advanced

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 13-18

    Location / Region

    Princeton; Cambridge, Massachusetts; New York; Atlanta; Stanford; Pasadena; Los Angeles; Seattle

    Cost

    From $5,299

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringComputer ScienceArtificial IntelligenceDesignMathematics
    Class size: Small classes
    Accommodation: Campus dorms; day options
    Meals: Campus dining
    Certificate / Outcome: ID Tech diploma and transcript
    Campus experience: Labs and recreational activities
    Tutors / faculty: Robotics-specialist iD Tech instructors
    Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday across two weeks

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy summary

    Students collaborate to build a robot, develop its controls and autonomous behavior, and refine its hardware through repeated testing.

    The course connects mechanical engineering with C++, AI vision, CAD and 3D printing, then brings the work together in an arena battle and final design showcase.

    It suits students who enjoy making physical projects and want to understand how software and mechanical decisions affect the same machine.

    What is BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy is iD Tech's practical robotics program built around designing and programming a team robot. Students combine VEX V5 hardware with C++, AI vision, CAD and 3D printing to explore the relationship between mechanical engineering and autonomous behavior.

    The experience combines university lab workshops with campus activities and recreation. Teams test and improve their robots before a BattleBots®-style championship and final showcase, giving students concrete design decisions to explain and reflect on.

    Why Succeed highlights BattleBots® Robotics Academy

    • A single robot project connects mechanical construction, programming, AI sensors and digital fabrication.

    • Repeated testing makes trade-offs between weight, speed, weapon power and sensor input tangible.

    • The sample curriculum progresses from safety and basic construction to state machines, CAD and movement mathematics.

    • Project files, design documents and a transcript give students material for continued work and reflection.

    Who is BattleBots® Robotics Academy for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy building physical systems, coding their behavior and working with teammates to improve a design.

    Not ideal if

    You want a purely software-based course or prefer an individual project without robot battles and collaborative construction.

    Is BattleBots® Robotics Academy worth it?

    The academy offers a coherent way to test an interest in robotics because students work on both the machine and its software. Its strongest value is the opportunity to make design choices, test them and explain what changed, rather than simply watch demonstrations.

    The financial commitment deserves careful comparison with other engineering experiences. The diploma, transcript and project files can document learning, but their value for future applications depends on what the student can explain about their work.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $5,299; includes Assignment-driven robotics workshops., Official iD Tech diploma and course transcript., USB with course project files., Access to installation and setup guides., Photos and design documents..

    Accommodation

    Campus dorms; day options

    Meals

    Campus dining

    Provider details

    Review the iD Tech provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Princeton; Cambridge, Massachusetts; New York; Atlanta; Stanford; Pasadena; Los Angeles; Seattle.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does BattleBots® Robotics Academy need?

    Effort level

    Intensive, practical and collaborative.

    Best started

    Begin campus and budget planning several weeks before the published November registration opening.

    Main challenge

    Coordinating hardware and software changes while balancing robot performance.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic C++ concepts such as variables, loops and arrays if you want a head start.

    • Practice explaining a design choice and responding constructively to a teammate's suggestion.

    • Discuss day and overnight options with your family before choosing a campus.

    Useful if

    You want to test whether robotics or mechanical engineering holds your interest.

    What do students do on BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    You build and program a robot with your team, then use testing to improve its movement, attachments and autonomous behavior. The sample sequence finishes with an arena battle and a presentation of the final design.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn BattleBots® safety protocols, form a team and construct the robot's base frame.

    2. 2

      Develop VEX C++ controls and design custom attachments.

    3. 3

      Create breakaway parts with a 3D printer and refine the robot's theme.

    4. 4

      Calculate movement, develop state machines and model more complex parts in CAD.

    5. 5

      Use linear algebra to map movement and test the robot's performance.

    6. 6

      Battle other team robots and showcase your final design and programmed moves.

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy dates and deadlines

    Registration opens

    8 November

    Public registration for Summer 2027.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students ages 13-18.

    • Beginner through advanced skill levels.

    How much does BattleBots® Robotics Academy cost?

    Program fee

    From $5,299 — Payment plans are offered.

    Funding or discounts

    • Initial installment: $460 — The course FAQ describes monthly installments for the balance.
    • Second-course discount: $50 — Applies to a second course in another topic or for a sibling.
    • Referral credit: $25 — Each new referral earns a credit; referred friends also save $25.

    What's included

    Assignment-driven robotics workshops., Official iD Tech diploma and course transcript., USB with course project files., Access to installation and setup guides., Photos and design documents.

    How to apply to BattleBots® Robotics Academy

    1. 1

      Choose BattleBots® Robotics Academy and your preferred campus.

    2. 2

      Contact an iD Tech Program Specialist for help with location selection or registration.

    3. 3

      Use iD Tech's registration checkout to book the course.

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    What does BattleBots® Robotics Academy cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Robot construction and safety

    Learn BattleBots® protocols, build a VEX V5 frame and develop custom attachments.

    C++ and state machines

    Program controls and special moves while exploring vectors, arrays and state machines.

    CAD and 3D printing

    Model and print armor, spinners, breakaway parts and decorative features.

    AI vision and movement mathematics

    Use object detection, velocity calculations and linear algebra to develop autonomous movement.

    Testing, battle and showcase

    Refine the robot through test runs, compete in the arena and present the final design.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    A typical day during the program.

    Morning learning

    The academy sample has breakfast at 8:00 am, instruction at 9:00 am and lunch at 12:00 pm.

    Campus and labs

    Campus activities begin at 1:00 pm, followed by lab instruction at 2:00 pm.

    Residential routine

    Dinner and activities start at 6:00 pm, social time at 8:00 pm and lights out at 10:00 pm.

    Instructional days

    The course's two-week outline progresses from construction and coding to an arena battle and showcase.

    Who teaches on BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    The course is taught by live iD Tech instructors who specialize in robotics and are recruited from universities including Stanford, Caltech, NYU and Carnegie Mellon. iD Tech describes adult instructors who undergo background and reference checks, training and certification.

    Small classes provide individual attention and room to progress at different paces.

    Where do students stay on BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    Residential plan

    • Campus dorms: The academy sample routine describes sleeping in campus dorms.
    • Campus dining: Breakfast, lunch and dinner appear in the academy sample schedule.
    • Evening supervision: The academy routine includes supervised social time and a 10:00 pm lights-out time.

    Non-residential plan

    • Day option: The academy format offers day attendance as well as overnight stays.
    • Labs and recreation: The daytime experience combines assignment-driven lab workshops with outdoor and recreational activities.

    The overnight option is offered at most locations, with an option to stay during the weekend between instructional weeks.

    What happens after BattleBots® Robotics Academy?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript.

    Keep course project files on a USB for continued work.

    Use installation and setup guides to continue independently.

    Retain photos and design documents for project reflection.

    Earn 4,667 XP toward the iD Tech Pathway.

    Where does BattleBots® Robotics Academy take place?

    The course is offered in Princeton and at MIT, NYU-Washington Square, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Caltech, UCLA and UW Seattle. These venues span New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, California and Washington.

    iD Tech delivers the program independently; the university venues do not sponsor or oversee its delivery.

    BattleBots® Robotics Academy FAQs

    Yes. The course accommodates beginner through advanced students, with individual attention in small classes and room to progress at different paces.

    Students use VEX V5 hardware, the VEX AI Vision Sensor, VEX C++, CAD software and a 3D printer to build and program their robot.

    Students receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript, plus a USB containing course project files and access to installation and setup guides.

    Live iD Tech instructors specializing in robotics teach the course. Instructors are recruited from universities including Stanford, Caltech, NYU and Carnegie Mellon.

    The course offers overnight stays at most locations, with an option to stay during the weekend between the two instructional weeks. The academy format also includes day options.

    Yes. This course contributes 4,667 XP toward the iD Tech Pathway.

    Yes. The course FAQ describes an initial payment of $460 per student followed by monthly installments for the balance.

    No. iD Tech delivers its programs at university locations, but the programs are not sponsored by or affiliated with those universities.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • iD Tech 2026 Program Brochure
    • Contact Us | iD Tech Phone Number & Email
    • Download a Brochure | iD Tech
    • BattleBots® Robotics Academy for Teens | 2-Week Course

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 7 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page reviewed

    • Course-specific price checked

    • Eligibility and locations reviewed

    • Registration opening distinguished from deadlines

    • Sample schedule identified

    • University venue relationship clarified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.