Questions
The short version: watching is free, entering is nearly free, and being good at robotics is a disadvantage.
How much does it cost to watch?
Nothing. Entry for spectators is free, there is no ticket, and there is no registration. Walk in on the day.
Do I need to book a seat?
No. There is no spectator booking of any kind. The only things you can book are a robot entry and a workshop seat, and neither is open yet.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — entries are open to builders aged 6 to 12. Matches are short, loud and easy to follow, and we ask for an emergency contact at registration.
Do I need to know anything about robots?
No, and it is better if you do not. Hebocon penalises technical skill on purpose. People who have never built anything routinely beat people who have.
What can I build a robot out of?
Anything you already own. Cardboard, tape, a biscuit tin, a slipper, a toy with the electronics still in it. It needs to move by itself once the match starts. That is the whole requirement.
What if I accidentally build something good?
You will be penalised for it. Every high-tech feature costs 6 points per match and a win is only worth 10, so two clever ideas make winning mathematically pointless. Microcontrollers, sensors, remote control and bought-in kits all count.
How big and how heavy can it be?
No larger than 50 by 50 centimetres on the floor, and no heavier than 1 kilogram with the batteries in. Height is not limited, which people take advantage of.
What if my robot does not work on the day?
That is the normal outcome and it does not disqualify you. If it fails through sheer bad construction rather than anything an opponent did, a judge can void the match and replay it, up to twice per matchup.
Do I need a team?
No. Pick whichever category fits: Solo, or Team if you are entering with a friend, parent or guardian. If you enter as a team you give us one team name and one contact person.
When exactly is it?
Sunday, 22 November 2026, 10am–5pm, at Makeramai Makerspace in Plaza Merdeka, Kuching. The workshop runs the day before, Saturday 21 November, also 10am–5pm.
Is this an official Hebocon event?
It is a community chapter, not a franchise. Hebocon has no licensing fee and no franchise agreement — anyone willing to follow the format can run one, and more than twenty-five countries have. We do not speak for the original event in Japan.
Still stuck?
If the answer is not here, ask. Questions about entering a robot are the ones we most want to get.