Behind the Bots

How to Build the MIT Combat Robotics Program, with Anhad Sawhney and Ryan Duarte

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with MIT students Anhad Sawhney and Ryan Duarte to learn what it took to rebuild their school’s combat robotics team post-COVID, and how to build a Golden Dumpster-winning 30-pound robot in Ares.

 

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NHRL’s 2025 Ruleset, Live! With Jake Hoffmann!

This week on the podcast, we’re poring over the 2025 NHRL ruleset with Maximizer captain Jake Hoffmann. Are the new rules good actually? We explore them live!

 

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From Rookies to NHRL Champions in Under a Year, with Dima and Julian Papasian

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with brother-and-sister team Julian and Dima Papasian, who started as rookies at NHRL last year, and climbed the hill faster than most—Julian taking second place at September NHRL, and Dima winning a Golden Dumpster in October. What sets their bots, Mako and TurboFiend apart from the competition? We learn it all (and more) on this episode!

 

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How to Ref Fighting Robots (and NHRL Preview) with Gwen McGuire

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with longtime NHRL referee Gwen McGuire, who is making her NHRL debut this Saturday with a brand-new robot, Jackalope. We go behind the scenes to learn what really happens cageside, memorable fights she’s called, and whether reffing 1,000+ matches informed her design decisions heading into this competition. Other topics include vampires, the origin of the HPV vaccine, and unarmed wrestling.

 

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Giant Pumpkins and Fighting Robots, with Chad New

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with giant pumpkin farmer, combat robotics veteran, exotic pet shop owner, dad, and friend of the pod Chad New! Chad took home his fourth career Golden Dumpster in September with his 30-pounder Yahoo, and is gearing up to enter BattleBots FaceOffs later this week as part of Group D.

 

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How a Livestream Gets Produced, with Broadcast Producer Neil Sullivan

This week on the podcast, we’re going behind the scenes at NHRL with broadcast producer Neil Sullivan. Neil works in the production room on event day to help the livestream run smoothly. Super interesting discussion from an expert on live sports productions.

 

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September 2024 NHRL Recap (Part 2!) with Peter Garnache from Repeat Robotics

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with September 2024 Golden Dumpster winner Peter Garnache from Repeat Robotics. Peter is a former HEXBUG designer, Horizon pit crew member on BattleBots, robot hobby shop owner, and (now) a Golden Dumpster winner. Oh! And a new dad!

 

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September 2024 NHRL Recap with Buzzzz-Kill’s Liam King

This week on the podcast, we’re recapping September 2024 NHRL with 12-pound Golden Dumpster winner Liam King, who qualified his second bot of the season: Buzzzzz-Kill. We talk about his journey in the sport, his winning strategy, and what it feels like to win a Golden Dumpster on your 21st birthday.

 

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BattleBots Fall Faceoffs Preview with Greg Munson

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing BattleBots Fall Faceoffs, with BattleBots co-creator Greg Munson. There’s been a lot of recent changes with BattleBots, so we’re catching up with Greg to get an update on what’s on the immediate horizon for the show.

 

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NHRL September Preview with Aria Bravo builder J Lee!

This week on the podcast, previewing the fifth NHRL qualifier event happening on September 14th! We take a deep dive on the bots across the 3, 12, and 30lb brackets and discuss some of the new, terrifying, and/or experimental robots coming your way. We also talk to Aria Bravo builder J Lee about their penchant for mecha style bots (and how to build a motorcycle out of chainsaws). Don't miss it!

 

Parent advisory: some NSFW topics discussed during Robots Around the World

 

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