Servo - July 2015

Warhead was a crowd favorite in 2002 because it used a gasoline-powered engine to rev up and control its massive spinning dome. I remember being in the pits working on my own super heavyweight BattleBot.

Whenever we heard the roar of a gasoline engine being started, we’d drop our tools and run to the stands to see which robot was making all the racket.

This time will be quieter. Warhead has replaced its gas guzzler with a three-phase brushless motor. Brushless motors have come to dominate the spinners in smaller robots the past few years, but they are still rare in the larger weight classes.

Whether it works well or not this time, the new Warhead will be like a scorpion on whisper mode.

This Show Goes to Eleven!

While I was interviewing Greg Munson, co-founder and president of BattleBots, I asked him what was different about the show in 2015.

He quoted Peter Abrahamson, “This one goes to 11!” According to Munson: “But seriously, The new BattleBots TV show will be true to the sport of robot combat — gone are the schtick and silliness of the old show.” “We’re focusing on the excitement and drama of the competition, the frantic repairs in the pit, and the journey from the Prelims to the Championship.” “We think viewers will love this format, and we welcome everyone’s feedback when the show airs on June 21st.” Having been on the show in 2001 and 2002, and having watched the taping of this summer’s season, I can definitely confirm that ABC has done it better than ever before.

One addition is the new entry tunnel that showcases the teams as they bring their creations into the arena. You just know that anything that needs a doorway that grand has got to be pretty special.

An even bigger change is that the host and commentators were actually sitting at the BattleBox watching the fights and describing them live.

I am certain that the intimacy of a ring-side seat will enliven their commentary — especially when 500 pounds of moving metal smacks into the wall 10 feet away.