Gizmodo: battlebots

Casio EX-F1 Captures Battlebot Devastation In Super Slow-Mo

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Our friend Robert Woodhead is at it again: He took his battlin' bot Totally Offensive—and his trusty Casio Exilim EX-F1—to Carolina Combat Robots for some "test procedures" in preparation for the RoboGames in San Francisco June 13-15. End result: Mayhem ensuing at 300 frames per second, with some sparks flying, some parts flying and some fax machines and other stand-in electronics getting shizammed to oblivion. Grab a sandwich and press play, cuz you'll probably watch this four-minute fest of cyberviolence a few times. And remember, this was only a test! Thanks again, Robert! [Robert Woodhead]

Pleo Gets Thrashed at the Hands of a Battlebot

Adrian Covert — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:00:00 EDT

At Maker Faire 2008, a group of carnage-loving individuals pitted the 2007 Holiday Toy Darling Pleo against the heavy duty battle bot, Vicious Verdict, in a no holds barred competition. Needless to say, the sniff-n-grunt capability of the Pleo was no match for the blade-equipped bot, which turned Pleo into fillet meat. But the funniest part of the video (below) might be the background shrieks of little kids, who were forced to watch their Christmas present get shredded. Mean, perhaps, but undeniably funny. [DViCE via Tech Digest via Bot Junkie]

Battlebots Returns, This Time to ESPN

Mark Wilson — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:52:21 EDT

Battlebots never quite made sense on Comedy Central, but hell, we'd watch robots fight on the Spanish channel hosted by that bee suit guy if necessary. Now the show is coming back, limiting the challenge pool to collegiate and pro competition and airing on ESPN2 or ESPNU. Plus, some other neat changes are in the works as well.

For one, don't expect Comedy Central's awkward casting of B-list celebrity hosts. The new season starting around November will focus as much on the pit crew drama as the fights themselves (that will take place in new, far meaner arenas). And remember those lame snowplow wedge bots? Those fuckers (that essentially ruined the show) are out and a new "anything goes" class is in. Now if we could get a ban on those stupid spinning guys too, we'd really be able to get our opiate fix of robots wielding flamethrowers and chainsaws.

On a side note, DIE SPOTS DIE! THE GEEKS BEAT THE JOCKS! OUR DAY HAS COME! EVERYONE, GRAB A CHEERLEADER AND KISS HER! [announcement via popularmechanics]

Violent Battlebots Make Sparks Fly, Fight Like Hell

Charlie White — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:00:00 EDT

We never get tired of watching battlebots, and here's a couple of particularly violent ones facing off at last weekend's Maker Faire. It's a good thing these remote-controlled warriors are battling it out behind bulletproof glass! It's jousting for the 21st century. – Charlie White

Special thanks to Andrew Baron from Rocketboom and Sarah Meyers.

Battlebot Road Rage on Craigslist

Jason Chen — Fri, 04 May 2007 19:20:01 EDT

Always wanted to own your own Battlebot but don't have the engineering skills or the wife's permission to build one? Well, now you can buy a pre-mad Battlebot "Road Rage", who fought in two actual seasons of the show and won three matches.

Best of all—as if owning a Battlebot wasn't cool enough—it's only going to cost you $300 or best offer! And if you know CL, that means people are lowballing him left and right with emails like "I've only got $235, can I pick it up tomorrow?" – Jason Chen

Craigslist [Thanks Joe!]