Behind the Bots

How a BattleBots Hexbug Gets Made, with Whiplash

This week on the podcast, we catch up with BattleBots 2020 runners-up Jeff, Debbie, Matthew and Jason Vasquez from Whiplash! Lots of big news out of the team this past week—the Whiplash versus SawBlaze Hexbug Rivals kit is now available in stores, and the team revealed early renderings of their brand-new robot, Defender. 

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• International teams are now shipping to BattleBots
• BattleBots reveals a new arena hazard, “The Shelf”
• Extinguisher begins revealing its 2021 modular configurations: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/915481479033701 
• Gigabyte’s latest spin-up test with LEDs: https://youtu.be/RMS35MYnkZ4 
• HiJinx’s mysterious 3D print: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/400103121541399 
• Malice’s spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/377274337134775 
• P1’s shop skunk: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1013477052817982 
• Ribbot’s spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/teamribbot/posts/848393676093405 
• SawBlaze v. Whiplash Hexbug Rivals set is now available online: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/206720644794691 
• Shatter gets new parts shipment: https://www.facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/218887713573378 
• Skorpios gets custom poker chips: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/209345917868038 
• Smeē gets better wheels: https://www.facebook.com/SMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE/posts/345783247012402 
• Valkyrie’s new wheels: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/474141083835596 
• Witch Doctor’s Make-a-Wish <3: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3809747799130026 

 

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BattleBots Season 6 Preview with Robert Cowan and Luke Quintal from Copperhead

This week on the podcast, we take our second look at Copperhead, the tiny, tanky drum spinner from Colorado, with builders Robert Cowan and Luke Quintal. With the Season 6 filming of BattleBots happening in less than a month in Las Vegas (and Copperhead still unconfirmed for the roster) we try our best to break some news on the show.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• Captain Shrederator’s latest driveway test: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4045425978889611 
• Copperhead’s workshop tour: https://youtu.be/B1putvqZ4r4 
• Extinguisher semi-confirms that it’s in: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/912520589329790 
• Gigabyte is fielding Cobalt: https://youtu.be/631TYKA6pcw
• Gruff is actively testing: https://www.facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/209406987858815 
• JackPot gets glittery gear: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/312683417221356 
• Purple Pain’s glow-up: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/373253120870230 
• Mammoth shaves a pound: https://www.facebook.com/MammothBattlebot/posts/3085804724981242 
• Orby Blade is aliiiiiiiiive: https://youtu.be/SrGCiRhRVac 
• P1 is taking shape: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1008666889965665 
• Skorpios unboxes the newest HexBugs set: https://youtu.be/2AnS8RNW8Uw
• Tantrum and Blip confirm they’re in: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1494487090891761 

 

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Our Very Early BattleBots Season 6 Preview with Greg Munson

This week on the podcast, we return from a very long vacation to chat with BattleBots co-creator Greg Munson, who this week confirmed that Season 6 of the show will be taped August 23 through September 4 in Las Vegas. We take your fan questions: How do we buy tickets? Who’s in and who’s out? Format changes? Arena changes? and more.

Plus! Our preview of the July edition of Norwalk Havoc, happening this Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25. Catch the YouTube livestream with the four of us! https://youtu.be/DtlIWhSw7yQ 

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• BattleBots tickets are now on sale: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158004369001406
• BETA reveals new ram: https://www.facebook.com/Betarobot/posts/207329701396346 
• New Bloodsport video on the failure of their tribar: https://youtu.be/fcdNG7lxxSc 
• Captain Shrederator’s sketchy spin-up test: https://youtu.be/D_ZH2oYF9bA 
• Claw Viper teases new electronics: https://www.facebook.com/clawviperbb/posts/267126701880251 
• Copperhead-on-Copperhead drive test: https://www.facebook.com/CausticCreations/posts/464173794889222 
• End Game’s weapon test: https://www.tiktok.com/@endgame_battlebot/video/6981202465613974786 
• Ghost Raptor recruits fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/3054668758098729 
• Gigabyte announces secret second bot: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1838612983195398 
• Gruff gets an Insta: https://www.instagram.com/team_gruff/ 
• HiJinx gets glittery stickers: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/392578502293861 
• JackPot sources legendary AR400: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/302791678210530 
• MadCatter’s drive test: https://www.facebook.com/badkittyrobots/posts/314079117082882 
• Malice’s TPU butts: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/367386778123531 
• Minotaur is raising money to go to Season 6: https://www.gofundme.com/f/minotaur-season6
• P1 unveils updated look: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1005977206901300 
• Whiplash announces secret second bot, Defender: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/204057065059777 

 

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Norwalk Havoc with organizer Austin McChord

This week on the podcast, we dive into the history (and future!) of Norwalk Havoc, the world’s top beetleweight combat robotics league, with Norwalk founder Austin McChord. If you want to check out this weekend’s Norwalk Havoc, check out the YouTube livestream at https://youtu.be/5elaqlzA60k 

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• BETA’s new manifold: https://www.facebook.com/Betarobot/posts/158201279642522 
• Deep Six’s latest terrifying weapons test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tohyYUox374 
• End Game’s parts sale: https://www.facebook.com/oyesrobotics/photos/a.507889816075385/1599421500255539/ 
• HiJinx’s art contest: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/342362683982110 
• HiJinx giving away its weapon bar to a fan: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/347370830147962 
• HiJinx’s armor auction: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/346246500260395 
• Malice hosting ‘Battle of David’: https://www.facebook.com/events/254915879747625 
• Minotaur raising funds for S6: https://gofund.me/e4ddbc93 
• Petunia’s piercing fire: https://www.facebook.com/TeamPCPnl/posts/230230452105427 
• Tantrum’s mystery piece: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1440467402960397 
• Tombstone sneak peek: https://youtu.be/NkcWKx0qU3g 
• Valkyrie’s functional fan cake: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/416735646242807 
• WAR Hawk’s latest weapons test: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/n5oeek/war_hawk_4weapon_motor_test/

 

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Blast from the Past: Our Interview with Minotaur Captain Marco Antonio Meggiolaro

From October 2019!

 

On this episode of Behind the Bots, we catch up with Minotaur captain Marco Antonio Meggiolaro, who tells us more about what it’s like building bots and competing in Brazil, what makes Daniel Freitas tick, and his advice to new builders.

Blast from the Past: Our Interview with Blacksmith Captain Al Kindle

From February 2020!

 

We sit down with Blacksmith captain Al Kindle, and explore his long history in the sport, the design thinking behind Blacksmith, and what it was like seeing his bot turned into a Hexbug. Plus: we get into Al's secret love of Menudo.

 

Stay tuned for next week's blast from the past.

Caulk Talk with Caulk Builders Joe Fabiani, Brandon Zalinsky, Tommy Wong and Izzie Cao

This week on the podcast, we go deep with Caulk builders Joe, Brandon, Tommy and Izzie, who (with the help of Pain Train captain Evan Arias) went against all odds last month to win the 12-pound division at Norwalk Havoc, with four championship 3-pounders: Smee, Starchild, Droopy and Shreddit Bro.

Now, Joe, Brandon, Tommy and Izzie are back, and have applied to the 2021 season of BattleBots with the most exciting multibot in the show’s history. They’re coming on this week to make their case to the fans—and the Selection Committee—for Caulk.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• SlamMow vs. WAR? EZ! Basement Fight is out for BattleBots supporters
• BattleBots is shopping new venues: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10157815789891406 
• The team behind Bloodsport is back, with a second robot application: https://www.facebook.com/bnsrobotics/posts/4124100167649451 
• Deadlift 2020 redesign: https://www.facebook.com/robogymrobotics/posts/4300357493350395 
• HiJinx art competition: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/328445802040465 
• JackPot auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/247238947099137 
• Malice is selling bolts (and awesome stands) soon: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/308635483998661 
• Rusty v. Kraken fight recap: https://www.facebook.com/teamironforce/posts/133948025403524 
• SlamMow’s new name and logo: https://www.facebook.com/teamdanby/posts/10158184974678284 
• Tantrum in slow-mo: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1419352838405187 
• Tracer appears on Robot Rumble 2.0: https://www.facebook.com/kymerabots/posts/257955152694977 
• New Valkyrie contest: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/396190998297272 

 

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BattleBots S5 Reflections with Skorpios Captains Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Skorpios co-captains Zach Lytle and Diana Tarlson—exactly one year (to the day!) from the last time they were on the show. In early April 2020, the world had just gone into lockdown, and it was unclear how long COVID would last. Zach and Diana run a small business in the San Francisco Bay Area where they host in-person combat robot parties, after-school programs and educational summer camps. During the pandemic, they were forced to temporarily close their business.

 

2020 was simultaneously Zach and Diana’s worst year, and their best year, they said. Skorpios went 2-1 in their qualifying matches (including an incredibly destructive loss to Bloodsport, and a satisfying and decisive win over Tombstone), before their championship run was cut short by Witch Doctor. They ended up winning the Icewave bounty, and taking home the 2020 Founders Award.

We talk about all that, and more, in this episode. <3

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• New BattleBots basement fight: Deadlift vs. Bale Spear
• BattleBots: Bounty Hunters this Thursday? BETA
• Axolotl has applied to 2021: https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/199400165286558
• Bale Spear 1 is getting a new job: https://www.facebook.com/Deer-Dash-Crop-Protection-676408819117226/
• (April 1) Bloodsport’s new titanium bar: https://youtu.be/a11BhqsUmAs
• Bots FC is applying with a vertical spinner called Emulsifier: https://www.facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/136639231798227 
• Deadlift recap of BB:BH: https://www.facebook.com/robogymrobotics/posts/4281193908600087
• Extinguisher’s shop got a Tormach glow up: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/847530435828806 
• (April 1) FingerTech releases a bike rack: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4183376198341830 
• (April 1) Gigabyte is looking malicious: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1759763587747005 
• Gruff auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/799459960667876 
• HiJinx has applied to 2021: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/322129906005388 
• JackPot auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/242306150925750
• (April 1) Jeff Waters is applying to 2021 with Offtrack: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/241060707716961 
• Bunny hunt on Malice’s website: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/303721864490023 
• (April 1) Longboi P1: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/936671233831898 
• SawBlaze has applied to 2021: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/127279579405465
• SME is applying with a new multibot called Caulk: https://www.facebook.com/SMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE/posts/275814637342597 
• Sporkinok has applied to 2021: https://www.facebook.com/SporkinokBB/photos/a.110676813759385/283570203136711 
• (April 1) SubZero’s vertical spinner: https://www.facebook.com/SubZeroBattleBot/posts/225937205990006
• Tantrum on Behind the Battle: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1413852605621877 
• (April 1) The Big Dill’s vertical spinner: https://www.facebook.com/teamfoodfight/posts/1240540936362406 
• (April 1) Tracer’s walking minibot: https://www.facebook.com/kymerabots/posts/251501853340307 
• Valkyrie auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/390383498878022 
• Join Witch Doctor’s Patreon: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3486321921472617 

 

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BattleBots S5 Postseason Reflections with Kraken Captain Matt Spurk

This week on the podcast, we catch up with the captain of everyone’s favorite nautical monster-themed BattleBot, Kraken captain Matt Spurk! We talk toughness and reliability, judging, and what’s ahead for the bot and the team.

 

PLUS! Behind the Bots listeners get 5% off the Kraken merch store using code "behindthebots".....for real!

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

 

• BattleBots Basement Fight: HiJinx vs. Tracer
• BuildersDB is down for the foreseeable future

• Axolotl plushies are shipping: https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/194634832429758 
• How to Build a Duck: https://www.facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/124111263062477 
• Meet the Giant Nut (in New Zealand): https://www.facebook.com/oyesrobotics/posts/1571115769752779 
• Extinguisher on the front page of their local paper: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/841622459752937 
• Gamma 9 internals: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2540178406292113&id=1802165200093441 
• BattleBots referee John Remar as James Bond: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/2969397193292553 
• HiJinx’s shop space: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/319244546293924 
• HyperShock <3 Xometry: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2826952394189292 
• Malice ASMR: https://youtu.be/qVL_nA6P8KI
• Pain Train application to 2021: https://www.facebook.com/PAINTRAINBB/posts/238956841292906 
• SlamMow has new wheels: https://www.facebook.com/teamdanby/posts/10158148593708284 
• Tombstone auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/5744689918878133 
• Tracer’s self-righter! https://www.facebook.com/kymerabots/posts/246536727170153 
• Uppercut bot parts: https://www.facebook.com/UppercutBattlebot/posts/230426945084667 
• Valkyrie auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/386115645971474 

 

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BattleBots Post-Season Recap (With Pete Abrahamson, aka The Bot Whisperer!)

This week on the podcast, we talk BattleBots, BattleBots: Bounty Hunters, apple sausages, and Norwalk Havoc. Plus! The return of The Bot Whisperer himself, Pete Abrahamson!

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Happy birthday Greg Munson: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/2963206237244982 
• WAR? EZ! vs. Axolotl Basement Fight is out for BattleBots Supporters on Facebook
• Apple sausage
• Bale Spear launches new merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/crazzyearl/shop
• Deadlift AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m765dd/deadlift_ama_with_robogym_robotics_6pm_central/
• Extinguisher is applying to 2021 BattleBots: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/833252087256641
• New Fusion hats? https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4144430482236402 
• Gigabyte AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m8mb6q/gigabyte_robotic_death_company_ama/
• HyperShock memorabilia on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2822461517971713 
• JackPot is already building for 2021: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/234131375076561 
• Malice testing out new ESCs: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/295461438649399 
• Rotator post-Bounty Hunters recap: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=128841265913105&id=100063616960932
• SawBlaze auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/123721429761280 
• Shatter begins shipping to the UK: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3875381462547928&id=1599971273422303 
• The Skorpios gang buys a bar: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=125481239587840&set=p.125481239587840 
• Tantrum auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1406484496358688 
• Tombstone auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/5707699529243839 
• Uppercut auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=748062225903028&id=305197523522836 
• Valkyrie auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/381010623148643 

 

Also: It’s time to rename the Turf Tank in Grand Rapids: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Turf-Tank-Naming-Contest 

 

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