Behind the Bots

Pre-Premiere Week with BattleBots Showrunner Aaron Catling!

This week on the podcast, we’re doing our last pre-premiere episode of the season with BattleBots showrunner Aaron Catling! Aaron sits on the Selection Committee, helps build the fight cards, and develops the season’s many storylines into a super compelling TV show. BattleBots returns to Discovery Thursday Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. local time.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots premieres Thursday on the Discovery Channel (set your DVR!)
• BattleBots unveils refined judging matrix: facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158240427986406 
• Blacksmith captain Al Kindle wants to wish you a Happy New Year: facebook.com/Teamhfa/posts/406391854367535 
• Orby Blade captain Cheog Gyu Hwang visited Las Vegas this week for CES: facebook.com/TeamORBY/posts/876433086357839 
• Blip shows off its winding mechanism: facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1606212116385924 
• Blip and Tantrum’s merch shop: seemsreasonable.shop
• HyperShock launches Hype Machine loyalty program: facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/3019791708238692 
• JackPot teases new weapon: facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/414919056997791 
• Kraken appearing at South Florida Fair: facebook.com/robotruckus/photos/a.366611840942348/970783643858495 
• Malice unveils its S6 weapons: facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/474508650744676 
• Pardon My French signs Ty Little to the roster: facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=439043467924121&id=100054554135468 
• SawBlaze tests self-righting mechanism: facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/314259440707477 
• Shatter selling new S6 team jerseys: facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/328942875901194 
• Switchback launches full merch store: facebook.com/switchbackontv/posts/271023081761115 

 

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Our Pre-Pre-BattleBots Mini-sode

This week on the podcast, we’re dragging ourselves out of our collective holiday comas to bring you a pre-pre-BattleBots mini episode, covering the December Finals at Norwalk Havoc, Luke officially joining a BattleBots team, and a case of mistaken identity.

Our Interview with Jäger Captain Ralf Schneider

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with Ralf Schneider, captain of the European rookie multibot Jäger. The team faced big challenges this season — Ralf’s UK teammates were prevented from traveling to the U.S. due to COVID restrictions, which meant he had to lean on the help of other teams to get into the BattleBox. We learn more about his design ethos, and his journey to the 2021 season of BattleBots (returning Jan. 6 on Discovery Channel!)

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots shirts heading to Hot Topic: facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/487388219479555 
• Robot Wars Shuntposting is launching its annual charity contest: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/296780079124621 
• RoboChargers adopts Tantrum + Blip eyes: facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1592062431134226 
• First shot of Duck! in the BattleBox: facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/291844562955812 
• Team Whyachi auctioning off 2020 Hydra flipper manifold: ebay.com/itm/Hydra-2019-20-Battlebots-Hydraulic-Flipper-Manifold-autographed-by-Team-Whyachi/185206478759
• Team Whyachi auctioning off 2020 Hydra chain guard: ebay.com/itm/Hydra-2019-20-Battlebots-Chain-guard-autographed-by-Team-Whyachi/185206512080 
• Ghost Raptor team interview with sponsor OnShape: facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/3174705599428377 
• New Glitch team photo: facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=139468758452579&id=102789288787193 
• New behind-the-scenes photos from Riptide: facebook.com/riptidebattlebot/posts/148426670872628 
• Shatter unveils new fight photo against Redacted: facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/312052960923519 
• New drive test from 2022 Slammo: facebook.com/teamdanby/posts/569342894418911 
• Tombstone Hexbug unboxing video with Ray Billings: facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/309044064560466 
• Technical T-Rex ugly sweater for sale: facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4217323131705822 

 

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The 2021 New Bot Preview

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing every new robot appearing in BattleBots Season 6 (airing Thursday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. on Discovery Channel!): Blade, Blip, Defender, Dragon Slayer, Glitch, Jäger, Pardon My French, Retrograde, Riptide, Switchback and Triple Crown.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots confirmed for Jan. 6: hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/battlebots-new-season-premiere-date-discovery-channel-1235056208/ 
• BattleBots drops new season trailer: twitter.com/BattleBots/status/1466444662298877956 
• A closer look at the BattleBots slot machine: youtube.com/watch?v=6GR1oJeI6nA 
• Bronco selling old frame on eBay: ebay.com/itm/255258265380 
• New Deep Six team photo: facebook.com/deepsixbattlebot/posts/298925758906231 
• Duck unveils new defensive configurations: facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/285639236909678 
• Duck merch hits the resale market: ebay.com/itm/255253475249
• Free Shipping’s new action photo: facebook.com/freeshippingbot/posts/251769130279294 
• Glitch vs. Hydra fight confirmed: facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=137174445348677&id=102789288787193 
• Gruff unveils limited-edition Christmas ornaments: facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/300579932074853 
• New HiJinx team photo: facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/486183736266670 
• Hydra selling titanium front wedge: ebay.com/itm/185194368176 
• Overhaul unveils new anime mascot: facebook.com/EqualsZeroRobotics/posts/4580794905290707 
• JCRB launches Redacted - BattleBot: facebook.com/REDACTEDBATTLEBOT 
• Protolabs is again building a replica Giant Nut: facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/287380043402264 
• Riptide’s gyro dance: facebook.com/riptidebattlebot/photos/a.104516085263687/146666734381955 
• Shatter visits team sponsor Prismier: facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/309396551189160 
• New Skorpios action shot: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/294238092712153 
• Skorpios drops new Christmas ornaments: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/293600949442534 
• New Switchback action shot: facebook.com/switchbackontv/posts/251346470395443 
• New Tantrum/Blip team photo: facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1585231998483936 
• New Witch Doctor merch: facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4201740926597376 

 

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An Abbreviated Thanksgiving Week Special

This week on the podcast, we’re stumbling out of our turkey-induced comas with an abbreviated episode. No guest this week — back to our regularly scheduled programming next week.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Blade builder Cheog-Gyu Hwang has fixed his CNC machine: facebook.com/TeamORBY/posts/856368301697651 
• Blip + Tantrum behind-the-scenes photo from the pits: facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1582654588741677 
• Captain Shrederator custom cookies: facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4442387849193420 
• Copperhead was originally going to be called Night Crawler: facebook.com/CausticCreations/posts/557999922173275 
• Glitch’s Black Friday sale: facebook.com/glitchbattlebot/posts/135689915497130 
• Gruff posts photos of its original build: facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/294628769336636 
• HiJinx’s Black Friday sale with code HIJINX21: facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/481572236727820 
• HUGE drops new merch: facebook.com/BattleBotsHuge/posts/937355416870332 
• Jäger drawing from Caleb Kempson: facebook.com/jagerrobot/posts/772068290854803 
• Kraken teeth for sale: facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/303816818411269 
• Overhaul fan art sparks memes: facebook.com/EqualsZeroRobotics/posts/4554846644552200 
• Riptide glamor shot: facebook.com/riptidebattlebot/photos/a.104516085263687/145544331160862/ 
• Robert Cowan has built the world’s thinnest combat robot: https://youtu.be/9kquf9A7LA8 
• SawBlaze 2021 photo in the BattleBox: facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/293500979449990 
• Skorpios’ custom M&M’s: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/289032729899356 
• Skorpios’ many blades: https://youtu.be/pjnYhsdX4Rg 
• Slammo launches Patreon: www.patreon.com/teamdanby 
• Team Whyachi behind-the-scenes photo from the shop: facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4897900720222704
• Witch Doctor parts for sale: facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4182757995162336 

 

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Our Interview with Pardon My French Builders Philippe Voyer and Sean Lamothe!

This week on the podcast, we’re heading north to Canada, to meet up with rookie BattleBots builders Philippe Voyer and Sean Lamothe from Pardon My French! We learn about big drums, little lifters and what they learned at their first season of BattleBots.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots drops a ton of new shirts: facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158206957876406 
• BattleBots Season 6 could be returning to the Discovery Channel on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022
• Blacksmith releases second photo of its Free Shipping fight: facebook.com/Teamhfa/posts/379680790371975 
• Dragon Slayer unveils new logo: facebook.com/DragonslayerBattlebots/posts/125100456593845 
• DUCK’s new poker chips go on sale for $6 each: facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/277178727755729 
• Glitch teases another arena photo: facebook.com/glitchbattlebot/posts/134788738920581 
• Gruff roasts its own turkey: facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/291521449647368 
• HiJinx CAD drawings make a great gift: facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/475846713967039 
• New Hydra t-shirt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MDP6Z6W 
• JackPot appears at ARC: facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/389376599552037 
• Kraken posts 2003 throwback: facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/300532275406390 
• Someone cleverly made a Malice clock: facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/447707936758081 
• Skorpios covers ARC: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/282561147213181 
• Witch Doctor appears at Miami Book Fair and Maker Faire Miami: facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4159603014144501 

 

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Our Post-Norwalk Havoc Interview with Darkside Captain Chris DeCicco & Team!

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with our own Chris DeCicco, and his pit crew/cousins Dave, Johnny, and Jackson, fresh off their first combat robotics match ever this past weekend at Norwalk Havoc. We go deep on the experience, what he learned about robotics (and himself), plus his plans for the future.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Big Bot Bits fundraiser goes live: kickstarter.com/projects/eyc/big-bot-bits/ 
• Orby Blade chocolate laser engraving: facebook.com/TeamORBY/posts/846147786053036 
• Blip and Tantrum appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1570490879958048 
• DUCK shower curtains now on sale: facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/272408861566049 
• Hydra’s vertical test video: facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4856324734380303 
• Glitch releases early renders: facebook.com/glitchbattlebot/posts/131409605925161 
• Gruff appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/287068633425983 
• HiJinx appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/472492434302467 
• HyperShock appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2983609521856911 
• Kraken appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/295993012526983 
• Malice appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/445623130299895 
• Rotator appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=295049432625620&id=100063616960932 
• Skorpios launches super limited-edition poker chips: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/281311824004780 
• Slammo appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/teamdanby/posts/10158582897603284 
• Witch Doctor appeared at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4137787856326017 

 

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Our Interview with T.W.I.R.C. host Jevan Woodrow!

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with fellow combat robotics superfan/BattleBots content creator Jevan Woodrow, host of the very popular YouTube channel This Week in Robot Combat! We learn his story, get his perspective as a British fan, and learn more about his beetleweight builds.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots 2022 calendar now on sale: facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/276135267855769 
• Big Bot Bits launching BattleBots poker chip Kickstarter: facebook.com/bigbotbits 
• Deep Six picks up shaving sponsor: facebook.com/deepsixbattlebot/posts/280256794106461 
• Double Jeopardy is going brushless: facebook.com/teamdoubletroubledoublejeopardy/posts/906074043350097 
• Hydra is running new hydraulics this season: facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4829879330358177 
• Dragon Slayer shop walkthrough: facebook.com/DragonslayerBattlebots/posts/122359413534616 
• Skorpios visits Free Shipping’s shop: youtube.com/watch?v=CzZEaxKNKA8 
• Gruff stuff will be available at Robot Ruckus: facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/279786687487511 
• Switchback launches exclusive merch bundle: switchbackon.tv/products/pre-order-switchback-supporter-bundle 

 

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Our Interview with Matt and Wendy Maxham (Cobalt! Stinger! Sewer Snake!)

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with BattleBots veterans Matt and Wendy Maxham. Matt and Wendy began competing in the early 2000s with Sewer Snake, and returned to BattleBots in 2015 with Stinger: The Killer Bee. For the past two seasons, they’ve competed with Team Robotic Death Company, with Gigabyte and Cobalt.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots releases explosive second teaser image: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158160636386406 
• BattleBots Halloween costumes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/56319454480/posts/10159498796579481/  
• Ty Little and Hot Wheels 
• Blacksmith Hot Wheels: https://www.facebook.com/Teamhfa/posts/364342265239161 
• Blade dalgona how-to: https://youtu.be/taBCuga0U1g 
• Blip and Tantrum considering poker chips: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1563520427321760 
• Captain Shrederator cutting poker chip shipping costs: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4345021428930063 
• Deadlift has fire: https://www.facebook.com/robogymrobotics/posts/4923024131083725 
• Super limited edition purple Whyachi poker chip: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4815074918505285 
• Glitch Halloween pumpkin: https://www.facebook.com/glitchbattlebot/posts/129627006103421 
• Fresh HiJinx merch: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/463304861887891 
• Kraken Halloween costume: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/286353733490911 
• Skorpios’ spooky Halloween special: https://youtu.be/yhpN4Ogq6Po 
• Rusty’s Halloween pumpkin: https://www.facebook.com/teamironforce/posts/279598257505166 
• Switchback incorrectly insists it’s not a hammer drum: https://www.facebook.com/switchbackontv/posts/232844535578970 
• Tombstone Halloween costume: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/281001340698072 
• Witch Doctor builder stickers: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4082432671861536 

 

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Our Interview with Dragon Slayer builders Dylan Halsey, Jordan Neal and Justin Kizer

This week on the podcast, we’re going medieval with Dragon Slayer builders Dylan Halsey and Jordan Neal. Last year, Dylan and Jordan worked together to build Piranha, a heavyweight combat robot that was ultimately not selected to compete in the 2020 season of BattleBots. This year, they gutted the components from Piranha and reapplied with a vertical spinner called Dragon Slayer.

 

Dragon Slayer is the team’s first combat robot, and we learn what it was like competing on the world’s biggest combat robotics stage as true rookies.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots opens official store on Amazon: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158152541841406 
• Lisa Winter’s NFTs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/56319454480/posts/10159474765234481/ 
• Gigabyte promotes Robots on Ice: https://www.robotsonice.org/ 
• Glitch’s LED light show: https://www.facebook.com/glitchbattlebot/posts/127624662970322 
• Perfect Phoenix captain Tyler Nguyen competing at Norwalk next month: https://www.facebook.com/TylerNguyen09/posts/2721953824771888 
• Robot Ruckus fundraiser tickets on sale now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/robot-ruckus-2021-vip-fundraiser-tickets-164662858041 
• Skorpios brought 3 fully functioning robots to BattleBots: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/266687018800594 
• Switchback’s poker chips contest: https://www.facebook.com/switchbackontv/posts/225927366270687 
• Witch Doctor’s poker chips are a HIT: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/4059278044176999 

 

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