Behind the Bots

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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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.

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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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