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Joshua Clay’s tracked Nerf robot is a remote-controlled dart launcher built around an off-the-shelf tank chassis, an RP2040 controller and two flywheels. In testing, it hit hard enough to leave welts through a sweatshirt, according to Hackaday’s February 27, 2026 report. That is a firsthand observation—not a published measurement of velocity or impact energy.
What is the Nerf RC tank that leaves welts?
It is the newer version of maker Joshua Clay’s Nerfbot: a smaller, tighter robot that replaces the original wheeled base with tracked tank-style movement. Hackaday reported the build on February 27, 2026, noting that testing left welts through a sweatshirt. The report does not provide a measured muzzle velocity, impact energy, range or formal safety-test result.
How does the tracked Nerfbot work?
Movement and control
An inexpensive, off-the-shelf tracked platform supplies the robot’s mobility, so Clay did not need to design custom treads. An RP2040 runs the system, and a PlayStation 4 controller connects over Bluetooth for driving and firing control. The report does not identify exact retail models for the chassis or controller.
Firing mechanism
The launcher uses two flywheels to grip and propel darts from a high-capacity magazine. Hackaday describes it as loud and says the camera barely registers the darts as they leave the barrel. Those observations do not establish a speed or power comparison with a standard Nerf blaster.
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#1 Best Overall
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Modular construction
The design is LEGO-inspired and assembled without glue. That leaves wiring accessible and makes the battery and pan-and-tilt launcher gears reachable for maintenance and iteration.
Is it stronger than a normal Nerf blaster?
The available account does not provide comparable measurements for Clay’s robot or a conventional Nerf blaster, so it cannot establish that the robot is stronger by a specific amount. The welts reported through a sweatshirt are a reason to treat the launcher cautiously, not a substitute for standardized impact testing.
Rank #2
- [All Terrain Full Function RC Tank] This remote control tank can go forward/backward, turn left/right, 360°rotating, 30°climbing, built-in front and rear lights, interior ambient lighting, and adjustable roof phantom lighting, designed with open-able door
- [2.4Ghz Remote Control Tank] 2.4Ghz high frequency make it longer control distance rage, good anti-jamming capacity and auto pairing. It can support several people to play the tank together at the same time without any interference. The remote control distance is about 50 meters
- [360°rotating & 30°Climbing] Designed with 130 motors for left and right drive, 290 motors for front and rear drive, 360°rotation and 30°climbing angle, powerful motor and track crawler design make it easy to conquer all terrains
- [2 Rechargeable Batteries] This RC tank crawler comes with 2 pack 7.4V 500mAh rechargeable batteries, 3 hour charging time can support about 20 minute playing, 2 batteries can last 40 minutes and it double your fun. Note: 2 * AA batteries are needed for remote, it is not included
- [Great Gift for Kids Adults] Built in cool lights and designed with realistic independently operated wing doors on both sides, this professional hobby rc crawler tank is a great gift toy for both kids and adults, it can provide much fun
What changes could reduce the impact?
Clay said in a February 28, 2026 comment that he was working out ways to reduce the impact toward that of a traditional Nerf gun. The report does not describe a completed modification or verify its effectiveness. Any adjustment should be checked with a safe, controlled procedure that does not involve shooting at people or animals; the cited account supplies no validated settings or test method.
Quick Recap
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- DUAL MOTOR SYSTEM: Features a powerful dual motor drive transmission box with alloy guide wheel bracket for superior all-terrain performance and control
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Rank #3
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