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The podcast that brings you the stories of the builders behind BattleBots.
Episodes
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
This week on the podcast, we catch up with FingerTech Robotics founder (and Behind the Bots sponsor) Kurtis Wanner to talk about how to build your first combat robot. Kurtis is a longtime builder, and most recently competed on BattleBots in 2018 as the driver of the pneumatic launcher Lucky.
Just one event on this week’s combat robotics event calendar!
Saturday, Feb. 1
Hinckley, UK
Ant Freeze 7
Antweights
Organized by @AntFreeze
robotwars101.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2935
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Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
This week on the podcast, we sit down with surprise guest John Flaacke, the 17-year-old captain of Extinguisher, the fire engine-themed modular heavyweight that made its debut on the 2019 season of BattleBots. John talks about his high school capstone project (an autonomous firefighting robot), why he decided to build a heavyweight first, and how he chopped 35 pounds off his robot’s emergency siren.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
Jan. 25
Las Vegas, NV
Desert Dust Up
Fairyweights, antweights and beetleweights
Organized by Vegas Combat Robotics
robotcombatevents.com/events/451
Jan. 25
Miami, FL
Robot Riot at RoboSLAM 2020
Fairyweights, antweights and beetleweights
Organized by Robot Riot
buildersdb.com/eventdetail.asp?eventid=605
Jan. 25
Fullerton, CA
Sparklecon Smash VII
Fairyweights, antweights, plastic antweights and beetleweights
Organized by Bad Kitty
facebook.com/events/2418538445075996
Jan. 25 and 26
Monroe, WA
WAR Hobby Expo 2020
Fairyweights, antweights, plastic antweights, beetleweights, 12-pound hobbyweight and 30-pound sportsman
Organized by Western Allied Robotics
robotcombatevents.com/events/472
Jan. 26
Sherburn in Elmet, UK
RoboDojo Feathers Full Combat and Sportsman
Featherweights
Organized by RoboDojo
facebook.com/events/1220535418334975
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Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
This week on the podcast, we catch up with Bugglebots co-producer and pit reporter Sarah Malyan to talk all things Bugglebots, changes to Nelly the Ellybot and life in the BattleBots offseason.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
Jan. 18
Norwalk, CT
Norwalk Havoc
Beetleweights (with cash prizes!)
Organized by 50DayStreet
robotcombatevents.com/events/488
Jan. 18
Loughborough, UK
Loughborough Robot Riot
Beetleweights
Organized by the Loughborough Fighting Robots Society
facebook.com/lbororobots
Jan. 18
Brisbane, Australia
Australian Robowars Ant and Beetleweight Nationals 2020
Antweights and beetleweights
Organized by Julie Pitts
robotcombatevents.com/events/471
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Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
On this episode of Behind the Bots, we learn what it takes to build an indie, heavyweight combat robotics competition from the ground up, with someone who’s doing that right now! Robot Ruckus organizer Lilith Specht.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
Nov. 30
Blackstone QLD, Australia
Beetle Buster
Beetleweights
Organized by Ipswich Robotics Sports Group
robotcombatevents.com/events/460
Dec. 1
Corvallis, OR
Battle at Oregon State University
Fairyweight and antweights
Organized by Oregon State Combat Robotics
osubattlebots.org
Dec. 1
Sherburn in Elmet, UK
Robodojo Featherweight Championship Round 6
Featherweights
Organized by Robodojo
Dec. 1
Clayton VIC, Australia
MCR Antweights at the Monash Mini Maker Faire
Organized by Melbourne Combat Robotics
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Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
On this episode of Behind the Bots, our panel discussion on Veterans of BattleBots recorded live at Maker Faire Orlando, with Victor Soto (RotatoR), Charles Guan (Overhaul), Brian Nave (Captain Shrederator), Jason Brown (Bombsell), and Logan Davis (SubZero).
Live Audio Warning: Maker Faire was a loud and dynamic environment, so please be aware that there may be some peaks and static/distortion in the recording.
This week’s must-watch video: youtube.com/watch?v=D-CpDYqgRgY
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
Nov. 23
Norwalk, CT
Norwalk Havoc
Beetleweights, 12-pounders
Organized by 50 Day Street
robotcombatevents.com/events/469
Nov. 23
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Gobble Squabble
Fairyweights, plastic antweights
Organized by Colorado Combat Robotics Club
robotcombatevents.com/events/463
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots
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Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
On this episode of Behind the Bots, our panel discussion on unconventional BattleBots designs, recorded live at Maker Faire Orlando, with Kurt Durjan (Axe Backwards), Earl Pancoast III (Bale Spear), Craig Danby (Foxtrot), Jonathan Schultz (HUGE), Adam Wrigley (Shatter) and Dustin Esswein (Deep Six).
Live Audio Warning: Maker Faire was a loud and dynamic environment, so please be aware that there may be some peaks and static/distortion in the recording.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
Nov. 16
Sacramento, CA
Hornet Combat Robot Tourney
Antweights
Organized by Competitive Robotics at CSUS
facebook.com/events/431278150831102
Nov. 16
Edinburgh, UK
The Battle in 'Burgh'
Organized by Techno Events
robotcombatevents.com/events/406
Nov. 16
Williamsport, PA
PCT Sword 2019
Antweight, beetleweight, 12-pound sumo
buildersdb.com/eventdetail.asp?eventid=595
Nov. 16 and 17
Dublin, Ireland
Organized by RoboRiots
facebook.com/events/387175385339013
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Wednesday Nov 06, 2019
Wednesday Nov 06, 2019
On this episode of Behind the Bots, we preview Maker Faire Orlando (Nov. 9 and 10) with special guest host Andrea Gellatly, the captain of Witch Doctor, and Witch Doctor team member Paul Grata. We talk about the BattleBots teams competing in the heavyweight division, and some of the more interesting builders competing at the event.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
> Nov. 9 and 10: Robot Ruckus at Orlando Maker Faire, Orlando FL
> Nov. 8 and 9: Sin City Shakedown, Las Vegas NV
> Nov. 9: Hill City Robot Combat, Lynchburg VA
> Nov. 9: Central Illinois Bot Boogaloo Fall 2019, East Peoria IL
> Nov. 8: Extreme STEM, Cheltenham UK
> Nov. 9 and 10: Extreme Robots Live, Cheltenham UK
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots
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Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
Wednesday Oct 30, 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.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
> Nov. 1-3: Big Boys Toys: Trans-Tasman Throwdown, Auckland, NZ
> Nov. 2+3: BotBrawl 10, Mississauga, Ontario
> Nov. 3: Bristol Bot Builders Halloween Robot Wars: Bodgebots and Ants, Bristol, UK
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots
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Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
On this episode of Behind the Bots, we catch up with Kraken captain Matt Spurk, who gives us the origin story of his fire-breathing, aquatic-themed crusher bot, why pirates, and who’s inside the anglerfish.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
> Oct. 26: MassDestruction 18, Boston MA
> Oct. 26: ARC RoboRumble, Chandler AZ
> Oct. 26: A Very Spooky Tournament 2: They Won't Stay Dead! Richmond CA
> Oct. 26: MORF at the Expo 2, Joplin MO
> Oct. 26 + 27: Kilobots 44: Calgary Robot Smash-Up, Calgary Canada
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots
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Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!
Wednesday Oct 16, 2019
Wednesday Oct 16, 2019
On our second postseason episode of Behind the Bots, we catch up with SawBlaze captain Jamison Go, where we learn more about his champion three-pounder, Silent Spring, his advice for builders, and what we might expect next season at BattleBots.
This week’s combat robotics event calendar:
> Oct. 19: Design. Print. Destroy! Champaign, IL
> Oct. 19 + 20: Australian Robowars National 2019, Brisbane, AUS
> Oct. 19 + 20: Extreme Robots Live Maidstone, Maidstone, UK
> Oct. 19 + 20: Dutch Robot Games at FACTS, Gent, Belgium
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!