Behind the Bots

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

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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

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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

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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

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On our first postseason episode of Behind the Bots, we chat with BattleBots co-creator Greg Munson about the history of the sport, its current state, and where he thinks it’s headed next.

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

> Oct. 12: Bot'Geddon 2019 at the Rocklin Mini Maker Faire, Rocklin CA

> Oct. 12: Antweight Open, Basingstoke UK

> Oct. 13: Robodojo Featherweight Championships Round 5, Sherburn in Elmet UK

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We recap S4E16 of BattleBots, which featured Round of 8 matches Bite Force versus Lock Jaw, Tombstone versus Whiplash, Witch Doctor versus SawBlaze and Minotaur versus Death Roll. The Round of 4—Bite Force versus Tombstone and Witch Doctor versus Death Roll—and the Finals: Bite Force versus Witch Doctor.

We’re joined this week by a very special cohost, Bite Force captain Paul Ventimiglia.

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

> Oct. 5: NERC Franklin Institute, Philadelphia PA

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We recap S4E15 of BattleBots, which featured Bite Force versus Uppercut, Black Dragon versus Lock Jaw, Tombstone versus Quantum, Whiplash versus HUGE, Witch Doctor versus Blacksmith, SawBlaze versus Son of Whyachi, Hydra versus Minotaur and Death Roll versus Yeti.

We interview Shatter! captain Adam Wrigley, who talks about his experience in China, how that stacks up against BattleBots, and why he’s so bullish about hammer bots.

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

> Friday, Sept. 27: BattleBots Watch Party, Orlando FL

> Saturday, Sept. 28: Norwalk Havoc, Norwalk CT

> Saturday, Sept. 28: CROK at Tinkerfest, Oklahoma City OK

> Saturday, Sept. 28 + Sunday, Sept. 29: Robots Live! Stevenage, Stevevenage UK

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We recap S4E14 of BattleBots, which featured Quantum versus Valkyrie, Yeti versus Duck, Lock Jaw versus Skorpios, HUGE versus HyperShock, Uppercut, RailGun MAX and Bloodsport in a rumble, Blacksmith versus Rotator, Son of Whyachi versus Copperhead and the main event: Minotaur versus Cobalt.

We interview Nelly the Ellybot captain Sarah Malyan, who talks about her introduction to combat robotics, the design thinking behind this season’s most colorful bonkerbot, and why she’s inspired by Mrs. Jumbo the elephant.

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

> Friday, Sept. 20: BattleBots watch party with Witch Doctor, HyperShock and Rotator, Miami FL

> Saturday, Sept. 21: Bay Area Bot Battles, Richmond CA

> Saturday, Sept. 21: Antweight World Series 59, Sheffield UK

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We recap S4E13 of BattleBots, which featured HyperShock/Breaker Box, Yeti/Tantrum, WAR Hawk/Copperhead, Bite Force/Monsoon, RailGun Max/Free Shipping, Uppercut/Skorpios, and the main event: Hydra versus Bronco.

After the recap, we interview David Jin, captain of the the impressive rookie bot Ribbot. He tells us about the rollercoaster journey getting Ribbot on BattleBots, what it felt like competing in the box for the first time, and his embarrassing first encounter with SawBlaze captain, Jamison Go!

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

September 12 - 15: Winter Challenge Concordia in Concordia, Brazil

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We recap S4E12 of BattleBots, which featured Minotaur/Shatter, Son of Whyachi/Kraken, RailGun Max/WanHoo, Witch Doctor/Gigabtye, Breaker Box/Bloodsport, Whiplash/Texas Twister, and the main event: HUGE versus Bronco.

After the recap, we interview Jake Ewert, captain of the the hottest flipper bot this season, Hydra. He tells us about his family's infamous shop, making Thor's Hammer for the Marvel movies, and gives a deep dive into hydraulic equipment. 

This week’s combat robotics event calendar:

September 7: Portland Bot Battles in Portland, Oregon

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