Behind the Bots

BattleBots S6 Filming Week Special

This week on the podcast, we’re headed to Las Vegas to catch up with BattleBots superfan Mary Katherine Carr, who is attending every single taping session this season, and touring the pits as a fan. We’re chatting with her after the conclusion of day 1 of filming, where we’ll try to learn as much as we can without violating the show’s NDA.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• First look at The Shelf: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/p9qyys/the_shelf/
• Bite Force takes a stand: https://www.facebook.com/AptyxDesigns/posts/3045278242460265 
• Blip the launcher: https://www.facebook.com/tantrum.battlebot/posts/1511423839198086 
• Bounty Hunters medals: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1863187640737932 
• Captain Shrederator’s glamor shots: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4127865830645625 
• Captain Shrederator poker chips: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4118621538236721 
• Cobalt’s spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1863886530668043 
• Copperhead’s snek: https://www.facebook.com/CausticCreations/posts/491299735509961 
• Deep Six’s pit banner: https://www.facebook.com/deepsixbattlebot/posts/227878386010969 
• Defender’s functional test: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=120669256969208&id=101629572206510 
• Defender’s surprise fire: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=120334137002720&id=101629572206510 
• Duck’s floating swag: https://www.facebook.com/BlackandBlueRobotics/posts/215256770614592 
• End Game’s glamour shot: https://www.facebook.com/oyesrobotics/posts/1675918835939138 
• Free Shipping’s latest rendering: https://www.facebook.com/freeshippingbot/posts/191485679640973 
• Ghost Raptor’s surprise fire: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/3085772724988332 
• Gigabyte in the pits: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1863885390668157 
• Gigabyte’s spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1863887237334639 
• First look at Glitch: https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5NDkuFztQ/ 
• HiJinx’s glamor shots: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/417475863137458 
• JackPot’s glamor shots: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/331822178640813 
• JackPot’s spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/332353951920969 
• Kraken looks amazing: https://www.facebook.com/KrakenBattleBot/posts/237778581681760 
• Lock-Jaw confirmed: https://www.facebook.com/TeamMutantRobots/posts/4584934441518566 
• Malice’s glamor shots: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/390533812475494 
• Mammoth confirmed: https://www.facebook.com/MammothBattlebot/posts/3136247123270335 
• P1’s roadshow continues: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1027029838129370 
• Pain Train swag: https://www.facebook.com/PAINTRAINBB/posts/336955258159730 
• Orby Blade swag: https://www.facebook.com/TeamORBY/posts/797703024230846
• First look at Pardon My French: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=353025266525942&id=100054554135468 
• First look at Riptide: https://www.facebook.com/riptidebattlebot/posts/120007123714583 
• Riptide weapons test: https://www.facebook.com/riptidebattlebot/posts/117830447265584 
• Rotator’s glamor shots: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=236422865154944&id=100063616960932 
• SawBlaze’s S6 sponsors: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/222055466594542 
• Shatter teases new surprise: https://www.facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/236621271800022 
• Skorpios in the pits: https://youtu.be/ZYataaVuInU 
• SubZero is confirmed: https://www.facebook.com/SubZeroBattleBot/posts/332535071996885 
• Switchback team dinner: https://www.facebook.com/switchbackontv/posts/187094240154000 
• Tombstone’s many bars: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/230106545787552 
• First look at Triple Crown: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/p9nl6i/someone_finally_done_did_it_triple_crown/ 
• Valkyrie’s poker chips: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/488391935743844 
• Whiplash spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/230683965730420 
• Whiplash earns a spot in the Combat Robot Hall of Fame: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/227512932714190 
• Yeti is confirmed: https://www.facebook.com/YetiBattleBot/posts/361403425412850 

 

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BattleBots S6 New Bot Preview: Switchback!

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with new captain Greg Needel to learn more about his drum(ish) hammer, Switchback! Greg is no stranger to robotics or BattleBots—he competed at the untelevised BattleBots R3 event with a three-headed pneumatic flipper called Tetracide, and for the last 7 years has been running Rev Robotics, which supplies parts to hundreds of FIRST Robotics teams.

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• Captain Shrederator is in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/spinwinning/posts/4098208073611401 
• Deadlift is in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/robogymrobotics/posts/4671054529614021 
• Double Jeopardy is going brushless: https://www.facebook.com/teamdoubletroubledoublejeopardy/posts/853507898606712 
• Ghost Raptor’s enamel pins: https://www.facebook.com/realghostraptor/posts/3079414145624190 
• Gigabyte’s new self-righter: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1857352667988096 
• HiJinx’s enamel pins: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/412215230330188 
• Icewave is packing two bodies: https://www.facebook.com/TeamIcewave/posts/2943634602571938
• Icewave preview with Skorpios: https://youtu.be/JaUJiZnZzH0 
• Jager is back, with three bots: https://www.facebook.com/jagerrobot/posts/691228465605453 
• Malice is sponsoring Deep Six, JackPot and The Big Dill: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/387473096114899 
• Monsoon’s 2021 team roster: https://www.facebook.com/MonsoonRobot/posts/1446198505759443 
• P1 on display: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1023812255117795 
• Pain Train’s crate is made of old NHRL floor panels: https://www.facebook.com/PAINTRAINBB/posts/332711405250782 
• Ribbot is in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/teamribbot/posts/858580908408015 
• Rotator is in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=229850965812134&id=100063616960932 
• Sabertooth has a new dricsc: https://www.facebook.com/RoboticDeathCompany/posts/1858469537876409 
• SawBlaze coins ‘SmolBlaze’: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/217841580349264 
• Shatter’s anodized omni wheels: https://www.facebook.com/BotsFC/posts/228375862624563 
• Sporkinok’s appearance at MegaCon: https://www.facebook.com/SporkinokBB/posts/365973318229732 
• Tombstone gets MaxAmps batteries for 2021: https://www.facebook.com/TombstoneBot/posts/226371652827708 
• Valkyrie and Hawaiian shirts? https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/482501892999515 
• War? EZ! father-son team wins first place at Houston Heatwave: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSkoWN1ro0d/ 
• Whiplash and Defender are in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/224718109660339 
• Witch Doctor’s appearance at MegaCon: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3859478250823647 
• Witch Doctor’s cross-country ambulance trip: https://www.facebook.com/witchdrshaman/posts/3857091054395700 

 

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Behind the Bots 100th Episode AMA Extravaganza!

This week on the podcast, we’re doing something kind of unusual—we’re opening up the Q&A thread so you can ask us anything. No builder interview (it’s shipping week for BattleBots), so expect a couple weeks of kinda unusual shows from us. Oh! And it’s our 100th episode!

 

This week’s combat robotics news:

• BattleBots gets renewed for 2 seasons: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/battlebots-gets-two-season-pickup-at-discovery-channel-exclusive-1234992572 
• Jenny Taft is not returning for S6 :(
• BattleBots S1 and S2 are coming to Netflix outside the U.S.: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158040396516406 
• BattleBots begins selling the opera boxes: https://www.facebook.com/battlebots/posts/10158042099701406 
• Axolotl is officially out :( https://www.facebook.com/axolotlbattlebot/posts/278419050718002 
• Bite Force’s new sprocket: https://www.facebook.com/AptyxDesigns/posts/3033576080297148 
• Bloodsport’s big SendCutSend shipment: https://www.facebook.com/bnsrobotics/posts/4448878175171647 
• Deep Six gets SendCutSend order: https://www.facebook.com/deepsixbattlebot/posts/217523323713142 
• Double Jeopardy is going brushless: https://www.facebook.com/teamdoubletroubledoublejeopardy/posts/845549172735918 
• Extinguisher’s vertical configuration: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinguisherBattlebot/posts/919813635267152 
• HiJinx poker chip swag: https://www.facebook.com/HiJinx.BattleBot/posts/403185661233145 
• JackPot’s desert spin-up test: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/322843609538670 
• JackPot is 20 pounds underweight: https://www.facebook.com/JackPotBattleBots/posts/322338059589225 
• Lucky confirmed? https://www.facebook.com/tkorobotics/posts/225944719535573 
• MadCatter shows off dual flamethrowers: https://www.facebook.com/badkittyrobots/videos/821030408567576 
• Malice poker chip swag: https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/381837376678471 and dice! https://www.facebook.com/malicebattlebot/posts/378623973666478 
• Orby Blade ships out: https://www.facebook.com/TeamORBY/posts/791663651501450 
• Overhaul is in the crate: https://www.facebook.com/EqualsZeroRobotics/posts/4211632662206935 
• P1: Unpainted, but complete: https://www.facebook.com/AberrantRobotics/posts/1015771222588565 
• SawBlaze rally towel swag: https://www.facebook.com/SawBlazeBattlebots/posts/212932167506872 
• Skorpios’ new T-Rex blade: https://www.facebook.com/SkorpiosBattleBot/posts/214738097328820 
• Smeē is doubling its drive power with brushless motors: https://www.facebook.com/SMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE/posts/350774759846584 
• The Big Dill confirmed? https://www.facebook.com/teamfoodfight/posts/1324515667964932 
• Valkyrie weapon shape contest: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriebattlebot/posts/477622306820807 
• Whiplash gets a surprise visit from Yeti’s Greg Gibson: https://www.facebook.com/FastElectricRobots/posts/219735790158571 

 

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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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