Behind the Bots

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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BattleBots S5E14 Recap (With 2020 Giant Nut Champions Jack Barker and Nick Mabey!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with 2020 Giant Nut winners Jack Barker and Nick Mabey from End Game! This is our second time having Nick and Jack on the show this season—we interviewed them back in December, after their unexpected win over Tombstone in the first episode of the 2020 season. Little did we know, they had already taken home the Giant Nut. Wow, talk about restraint!

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots memorial to Gayle Roski: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/2958389574393315 
• BattleBots 2020 Replica Pack drops for Robot Rumble 2.0: https://youtu.be/0Ou4405LzhM 
• The Big Dill appears in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/microsoft-designer-by-day-robot-builder-by-night-greenwoods-emmanuel-carrillo-to-compete-on-battlebots-bounty-hunters/ 
• Chronos electrifies a pickle: https://www.facebook.com/ChronosRobot/posts/808157446453478 
• End Game AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m43j6d/end_game_from_battlebots_ask_us_anything/ 
• Hexbugs official giveaway: https://sdqk.me/UQW9uebM/battlebots-giveaway 
• Hydra sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/usr/whyachi 
• Hydra sells left arm of bike rack for $305: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184696022052
• ...and the right arm for $335: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184696024367 
• HUGE celebrates ‘Leggy’: https://www.facebook.com/BattleBotsHuge/posts/786121208660421 
• HyperShock neon is shipping in a month: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2816789271872271 
• JackPot auction going up: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/229475948875437 
• JackPot’s build budget: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/226389965850702 
• Malice CAD session for sale: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/288987665963443 
• Son of Whyachi on BattleBots: Bounty Hunters this week: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4135254409820676 
• Tantrum auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1402071483466656 
• Tombstone auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/5680321398648319 
• SawBlaze auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3935799256507375 
• Skorpios auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/photos/a.1575847686059314/2747648662212538/ 
• Skorpios wins the Founders Award: https://youtu.be/5pK3aCuzryk 
• Valkyrie wins Most Destructive Robot: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/374756367107402 
• New Whiplash merch: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/1023689088368860 
• Witch Doctor auction on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3431779516926858 
• Witch Doctor launches a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/teamwitchdoctor 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Hydra vs. Gigabyte: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1739912509732113 
• Hydra vs. Whiplash: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4127953000550817 
• SawBlaze vs. Tantrum: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3930885166998784 

 

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BattleBots S5E13 Recap (With Mike and Andrea Gellatly from Team Witch Doctor!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Mike and Andrea Gellatly from Team Witch Doctor, to reflect on the 2020 season, their sprint in the middle of the season to build new weapon discs, and what’s next for the bot, and the team. The 2020 season comes to a close this Thursday, as BattleBots crowns a new winner of the Giant Nut!

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots: Bounty Hunters with Witch Doctor will drop on March 11
• BattleBots: Bounty Hunters with Son of Whyachi will drop on March 18
• Hydra is selling its infamous bike rack: https://www.ebay.com/usr/whyachi
• HiJinx jackets for sale: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/305147817703597 
• HyperShock parts on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2812957078922157 
• JackPot’s self-righter: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/224292129393819 
• Kraken’s merch store: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/905537610222454 
• Malice Mystery Boxes: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/286776162851260 
• Malice applies for 2021: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/285596479635895 
• SawBlaze AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m0jm60/slash_and_burn_with_team_sawblaze_we_deal_in 
• SawBlaze parts on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3916172091803425 
• Sharko banner for sale: https://www.facebook.com/Sharkoprion/posts/902596483908034 
• Shatter sports kit for sale: https://www.facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/3835447476541327 
• Skorpios parts on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/photos/a.1575847686059314/2742680992709305/ 
• Tantrum parts on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1397776860562785 
• The Bot Whisperer AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m02zjn/the_bot_whisperer_ama/ 
• Tombstone AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lyptp2/tombstone_ama_ask_me_anything/ 
• Tracer is gearing up for 2021: https://www.facebook.com/kymerabots/photos/a.103193381504489/235366611620498/ 
• Whiplash AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lzb9c0/whiplash_ama_ask_us_anything/ 
• Witch Doctor’s Andrea Gellatly on International Women’s Day: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3416441708460639 
• Witch Doctor’s personalized video messages: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3409951772442966 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Hydra vs. Gigabyte: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1739912509732113 
• End Game vs. Rotator: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3794126243967939&id=1044827785564479 
• SawBlaze vs. Witch Doctor: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3912645285489439 
• Ribbot vs. Uppercut: https://www.facebook.com/UppercutBattlebot/posts/741748769867707 
• Whiplash vs. Valkyrie: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/3830485817064569 

 

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BattleBots S5E12 Recap (With Copperhead Captain Zach Goff!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Copperhead captain Zach Goff, to learn more about his history in the sport, his 2016 debut on BattleBots with the drum spinner Poison Arrow, and his return to the competition in 2019 and 2020 with the drum spinner Copperhead. Plus! What happened in that match with Mammoth.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Deep dive on Bloodsport’s tribar: https://youtu.be/o0QrhjoAI9o 
• Copperhead AMA on Reddit: https://www.facebook.com/CausticCreations/posts/3874980452562333 
• Extinguisher Hexbug: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/827018257880024 
• Gruff AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lt6788/too_hot_to_handle_team_gruff_ama_7pm 
• Hydra promises anti-Gigabyte attachment: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4076038519075599 
• HyperShock on eBay: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2805656679652197
• Kraken applying to S6: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/901881580588057  
• Malice paddle sells for $377: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174650114017 
• Malice jackets on sale: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/280525320143011 
• Mammoth Ranch episode 1: https://www.facebook.com/MammothBattlebot/videos/3731494526888105 
• Whiplash merch game strong: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/1013873259350443 
• Witch Doctor on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/usr/teamwitchdoctor 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Shatter vs. Lock-Jaw: https://youtu.be/GbeNZPIsBXo 
• Tantrum vs Fusion: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4090642954281822 
• Rotator vs. JackPot: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/219617236527975 (JackPot) https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3776470309066866 (Rotator)
• SawBlaze vs. Kraken: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/900932954016253 (Kraken) https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3894809953939639 (SawBlaze)
• Witch Doctor vs. Skorpios: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/2736807879963283 
• P1 vs. Sme: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/912964072869281 
• Tantrum vs. Gamma 9: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2523372727972681
•  

 

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BattleBots S5E11 Recap (With HiJinx Captain Jen Herchenroeder!)

This week on the podcast, we kick off the Round of 32 with HiJinx captain Jen Herchenroeder. It’s been nearly exactly one year since we last had Jen on the show, back when HiJinx was still the best-kept secret in the BattleBots builder community. We heard some *WILD* rumors about the design, and were delighted when we finally got to see it—scary, short, wide, neon, and owl-inspired. We catch up with Jen to get her reflections on the 2020 season, and her plans for 2021.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• They’ve lost the Giant (stunt) Nut
• Axolotl merch for sale: https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/175635590996349 
• Bale Spear’s Project Deer Dash: https://youtu.be/Kp5RhQSP8EA 
• Captain Shrederator’s new shop: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/3599292100169670 
• Hydra teases new bike rack: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4066753096670808  
• MadCatter AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/lnp3yj/ 
• P1 almost made it into the Top 32: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/909234269908928 
• Perfect Phoenix’s Tyler Nguyen in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/11-year-old-is-youngest-ever-battlebots-team-captain/2021/02/19/b305836c-7220-11eb-85fa-e0ccb3660358_story.html 
• Ribbot AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lpal4q/ama_with_team_ribbot_come_ask_us_all_your_frog/ 
• SubZero AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lo9xka/feel_the_chill_subzero_ama_tonight_at_6pm_est/ 
• Tracer behind-the-scenes: https://www.facebook.com/kymerabots/posts/225056952651464 
• Witch Doctor’s live viewing party this week: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3374526289318848 

 

Also: https://spotsrampage.com/ 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Hydra vs. HyperShock: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4065933523419432 
• Gigabyte vs. Malice: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/276520403876836 
• Uppercut vs. HiJinx: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/295060942045618 (HiJinx) and https://www.facebook.com/UppercutBattlebot/posts/734533970589187 (Uppercut)
• Valkyrie vs. SubZero: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/3786735914772893 
• SawBlaze vs. Rusty: https://www.facebook.com/teamironforce/posts/218366863369262 
• Tantrum vs. Gamma 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htJhNVHQR5A 

 

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BattleBots S5E10 Recap (With SawBlaze Captain Jamison Go!)

This week on the podcast, we slash and burn with SawBlaze captain Jamison Go, getting his thoughts on his match last week against Rusty, the season so far, and his thoughts going into the Top 32. We also learn more about his smaller bots Silent Spring, Silent X and MegaTron, and his interests outside combat robotics.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots 2020 Championship bracket and schedule: https://battlebots.com/bracket-2020/ 
• Brent Von Kalamazoo’s fantasy league: https://www.fantasizr.com/sport/fantasy-battlebots-2020 
• Bale Spear eBay auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/294015096610 
• Bloodsport feature on the Long Bar: https://www.facebook.com/bnsrobotics/posts/3954185867974216 
• Copperhead baby snek DIY: https://www.facebook.com/CausticCreations/posts/3824390150954697 
• HyperShock livestream with Chris Rose: https://www.facebook.com/HyperShockTV/posts/2799473603603838 
• HyperShock AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lj4snw/hypershock_ama 
• HyperShock’s top secret store: https://hypershock.tv/pages/boring-stuff-do-not-look-here-go-away 
• HyperShock for sale for $70K: https://hypershock.tv/collections/secret_menu/products/a-real-hypershock
• HyperShock neon for sale for $3K: https://hypershock.tv/collections/secret_menu/products/6ft-hypershock-neon-sign-full-size 
• Malice Spring collection: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/273118750883668 
• Mammoth + guns: https://www.facebook.com/MammothBattlebot/posts/2981043395457376 
• P1 AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/liivzi/ask_p1_anything_7pm_et_friday_212/
• SawBlaze <3 Rusty: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3855736737846961 
• Valkyrie AMA on Reddit: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/3771496502963501 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Black Dragon vs. Copperhead: https://www.facebook.com/uairrior/posts/3342918719147545 
• P1 vs. Sme: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/904848947014127 
• SawBlaze vs. Rusty: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3853907821363186 
• Hydra vs. Uppercut: https://www.facebook.com/UppercutBattlebot/posts/731295617579689 

 

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BattleBots S5E9 Recap (With BattleBots Co-Creator Greg Munson!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with BattleBots co-creator Greg Munson for a midseason check-in. We talk BattleBots: Bounty Hunters, his thoughts on the main BattleBots season so far, and what he’s looking for next season (applications are now open!).

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Captain Shrederator AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/lel8wh/captain_shrederator_team_logicom_ama_7pm_est_today/ 
• Deadlift video with Gecko Robotics: https://youtu.be/v5y46CIQkFQ
• Gamma 9’s behind-the-scenes photos: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2511569622486325&id=1802165200093441
• Kraken’s special armor configuration: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/890030071773208 
• Matt Maxham’s flamethrowing minibot: https://youtu.be/dinjo2ApmIQ 
• SawBlaze’s flamethrower construction: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/3839148472839121 
• Valkyrie face masks: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWZNHnQO3o4-9sxYU4bugzp-WQVtJU9xALJpQyM2mWlXGPPg/viewform 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Axolotl vs. Ribbot: https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/165044672055441 
• Gigabyte vs. Claw Viper: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1719177555138942
  Chomp vs. HiJinx: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/285784752973237 
• Extinguisher vs. Gruff: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/816406432274540 
• Copperhead vs. Black Dragon: https://youtu.be/1H5WgkIsZQo 

 

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BattleBots S5E8 Recap (With Bloodsport Captain Justin Marple!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Bloodsport Captain Justin Marple! He talks about his fast and furious run on BattleBots season 5 so far, the major lessons he learned after competing with Bloodsport 1.0 last year, his start with Vex Robotics, and how it feels to knock out some of the top-rated bots in the competition. 

 

Plus! We recap the 8th episode of BattleBots Season 5 and make our predictions for episode 9.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Axolotl merch! https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/161389849087590
• Bale Spear AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/l5d1x1/bale_spear_ama_7pm_est_all_things_farmagedon/ 
• BETA jumping: https://www.facebook.com/Betarobot/posts/3848857941804049
• Extinguisher’s vertical spinner: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/812660365982480 
• New Whyachi merch: https://www.facebook.com/Whyachi/posts/4012222382123880 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• Bloodsport vs. Chronos: https://www.facebook.com/bnsrobotics/posts/3926194127440057 

 

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BattleBots S5E7 Recap (With Mammoth Captain Ricky Willems!)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with the builder behind the biggest BattleBot to ever grace the BattleBox—Mammoth captain Ricky Willems!

 

Ricky is a tinkerer at heart, and spent his childhood taking apart basically anything he could get his hands on. That eventually translated into his career as an electrical engineer, and his hobby, building unconventional combat robots. We learn more about the 2020 build of Mammoth, and his season so far, following a massive win over HUGE and a fiery loss to HyperShock.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Bale Spear AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/l5d1x1/bale_spear_ama_7pm_est_all_things_farmagedon/ 
• Bloodsport trying out new blade designs: https://www.facebook.com/bnsrobotics/posts/3889630117763125 
• Congratulations from all of us on Chomp’s newest team member: https://www.facebook.com/ChompTheBattleBot/posts/1596244407238000 
• Deadlift’s custom wheels: https://www.facebook.com/robogymrobotics/posts/4071773656208781 
• Gruff’s hybrid drive: https://www.facebook.com/gruffrobot/posts/760976524516220
• Hotkoin sets BattleBots internet on fire: https://www.instagram.com/hotkoin/ 
• HiJinx vs. Tracer unaired fight: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/276892847195761 
• HUGE pins: https://www.facebook.com/BattleBotsHuge/posts/762667514339124 
• Mammoth merch: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/team-mammoth-merch#/ 
• New JackPot stickers: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/196739102149122 
• Kraken on display: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/878922286217320 
• P1 vs. Chronos unaired fight: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/891635251668830 
• Sporkinok AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/l3v4jc/hiya_rbattlebots_team_pride_and_sporkinok_here/ 
• Tracer AMA on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/l2y1ku/battlebot_tracer_ama_4pm_pst_today/
• Witch Doctor is looking for a social media manager: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3304940842944060 

 

Post-fight recaps:

• BETA vs. Rusty: https://www.facebook.com/Betarobot/posts/3836723159684194 (BETA)
• Tracer vs. Bale Spear: https://www.facebook.com/BALESPEAR/posts/945601055971118 (Bale Spear)

 

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BattleBots S5E6 Recap (Plus, Old Habits & New Beginnings with Sharko Captain Ed Robinson)

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Sharko captain and returning guest Ed Robinson, undoubtedly the most colorful competitor on BattleBots. He’s joining us after his match last week against Slap Box.

 

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