Servo - September 2016

SERVO 09.2016 27

It’s been almost a decade since I’ve been able to go to a large combat event. While I love the small and medium sized Insect events, there’s something about the giant venue/large bot extravaganzas that can’t be explained by mere words. However, that’s what I’m going to attempt to do.

I was scheduled to go to RoboGames at the kind invitation of Dave Calkins — one of my many supporters through my recent medical adventure. Unfortunately, a once-in-a-lifetime work opportunity nixed that trip, at least until next year. I had to settle for teaming up with a couple of other long-time bot reprobates via a Facebook spoof page called “Flat David’s Great Escape.” Check it out.

Shortly after, I was invited to help out with a team going to BattleBots™, as a social media wonk/sponsorship beggar/general flunky. Frankly, I’d given up on ever going when the original show was cancelled back in 2002. I’ve been to quite a few events since, and love it with the “True Passion,” but never dreamed I’d get to participate.

The technical and competition articles will have to wait until after air time, but for now, some impressions about mega events, television, and the fraternity of builders.

First, it was totally weird to see people in person that I’ve known via email, forums, and Facebook for 10+ years. Having friends I’ve never met was just an odd sort of thing for this old guy.

Between being in the combat community since 2002, doing The Combat Zone since 2006, and stalking the sport’s celebrities, I “knew” maybe 100 of the 350 or so people there.

Second, one thing that never changes: Bot people are good people. Sure, we have a few bitter rivalries, but 95% of the people would do anything to help any other competitor. In my role as flunky, I wound up being the Borrower In Chief of the whole event.

Over the first six days of the event, I borrowed, begged, loaned, bought, asked to be bought, and returned maybe 100 items. Granted, some shipping and last minute modification problems caused a lot of it, but it’s unimaginable that in any other sport, so many people would tolerate this kind of mooching!

Third, the willingness to help. I have a picture that might make it into a future article (after non-disclosure agreements expire) of people from four different teams helping a fifth team fix their bot during a short turnaround. What’s normal in our sport should be legendary and exalted.

Fourth, the smell. Until you’ve spent a week in robot pits, you have no idea. It’s a mixture of machine oil, battery smoke, glues and goos, soldering, metal shavings, sweat, paint, grinding, and welding.

All in an un-airconditioned hangar. I only thought I’d smelled it, until I opened my suitcase when I got home. Whoa. I mean, whoa.

Fifth, and last, the fatigue. Being recently convalescent, I had to limit myself to 12 hour days.

My early bird nature helped our team a bit since we could run “two shifts” in the pits or making parts runs. Still, 11 days of travel and bot work was a marathon endeavor.

Oh, yeah, number six. I got to go to the actual McMaster-Carr. Not mail order, the actual building. Check that one off, and let the rest of you be jealous! SV