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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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

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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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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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.

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