National Havoc Robot League (NHRL), formerly the Norwalk Havoc Robot League, is a robot combat organization in Norwalk, Connecticut, which holds tournaments of cage match fights between hobbyist competitors. Kelly Biderman is the current CEO of the organization. [1]
Austin McChord founded NHRL shortly after leaving Datto in 2018. [2] 18 competitors participated in the first event later that year. In 2021, McChord moved the organization to its current headquarters in South Norwalk. The facility also hosts a museum collection of past combat robots from multiple weight classes. [3]
NHRL hosts six tournaments each year which are open to all competitors. [4] Robots are separated into weight classes of 3, 12, and 30 pounds. They compete in 1 versus 1 matches in enclosed arenas with double-layer polycarbonate walls and a negative pressure fire suppression system. [3] Common weapons used by the competing robots include spinning blades, flipping devices, butane flamethrowers, and hammers. [5] More unorthodox weaponry includes liquid nitrogen, airbags, and jet engines. Winners at each tournament receive cash prizes [6] and are invited to a championship event held at the end of each year. [4]
In November 2022, McChord announced that he would donate $1 million to STEM charities chosen by that year's finalists in the championship tournament. [3] [7] An additional $1 million of grants were made to collegiate robotics teams in 2023. [7] [8]