Robot Competition Shopping List

A robot competition needs more than robots and a room. Plan separate equipment for participant tables, jury work, registration, scoring, power, repairs, and announcements. Bring spare batteries, chargers, cables, USB hubs, and adapters before setup day; these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once teams arrive. The list below covers the practical purchases and equipment to have ready for a smooth competition day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Participant tablesqty 12
Jury tablesqty 2
Registration desk
Chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Laptopsqty 8
Computer miceqty 8
Laptops for registrationqty 2
Printersqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 18
USB hubsqty 8
Charging stationsqty 6
Battery chargersqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24
Game clocksqty 4
Handheld megaphone
Label printer
Multimetersqty 3
Soldering stationsqty 3
Glue gunsqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Cable traysqty 20
USB cablesqty 20
HDMI cablesqty 4
Spare parts kitsqty 6
Tool casesqty 4

Sports equipment

Competition matsqty 4
Field edgesqty 16
Obstaclesqty 24
Goalsqty 8
Conesqty 24
Measuring tapesqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 4
Number discsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Participant badgesqty 100
Lanyardsqty 100
Name badgesqty 40
Directional signsqty 12
Team flagsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 16
Prize trophiesqty 6
Certificatesqty 30

Cleaning

Trash bagsqty 60
Paper towelsqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 5 bags
- Mini cookies - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Vegetarian spread - 1 kilogram
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Tomato soup - 12 liters
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 6 litres
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Rice salad - 8 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 60 pieces
- Falafel - 3 kilograms
- Yogurt sauce - 3 liters
- Mixed salad - 6 kilograms
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Fruit dessert - 100 portions
- Vegan desserts - 15 servings
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces

Tips

Plan one participant table per working team, plus separate jury and registration tables. Add enough chairs for every seated participant and volunteer, and place waste bins where teams actually build and eat.
Treat power as a layout problem, not a last-minute cable hunt. Count extension cords, power strips, cable trays, and charging stations for every table, then keep spare batteries and battery chargers at a clearly marked service point.
Prepare registration for the first busy arrival period. Have laptops, a printer, a label printer, badges or name tags, USB cables, and at least one backup laptop or printed participant list ready before doors open.
Set aside dedicated repair equipment for the competition area. Multimeters, soldering stations, glue guns, spare parts, computer mice, and USB hubs should be tested and placed where teams can reach them without crossing the competition fields.
Test the presentation and timing setup together at least one day before the event. Check the projector, projection screen, speakers, microphone, game clocks, HDMI cables, and handheld megaphone, then label cables so volunteers can reconnect them quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a robot competition?: You need work tables and chairs, laptops, registration equipment, competition fields, scoring materials, power strips, extension cords, chargers, repair tools, and presentation equipment. Keep spare batteries, cables, USB hubs, and critical spare parts available for the full event.
How many tables do I need for a robot competition?: Start with one participant table per team, then add separate tables for the jury and registration desk. If teams share a table, allow enough working space for laptops, robots, tools, chargers, and printed materials without blocking walkways.
What should I buy for robot competition registration?: Prepare laptops for registration, a printer, a label printer, participant badges or name tags, and spare USB cables. Have the final participant list ready at least 24 hours before opening registration, with a printed backup in case the network or printer fails.
How much spare equipment should I bring to a robot competition?: Bring at least one spare charger, several spare batteries, extra USB and HDMI cables, and backup power strips. For frequently used tools or adapters, prepare one working spare for every five teams so a failure does not stop the competition.

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