Battlebots I.Q.- A serious threat to FIRST or a half thought up cheep copy?

[Mr. Van]

It seems we don't like to admit this, but FIRST is already losing (has lost?) to Battlebots.

Whenever I speak to someone about building robots with my students without mentioning FIRST beforehand (and often when I have mentioned FIRST) they ask, "You mean like Battlebots?"

Many, many, many more people know about Battlebots than FIRST. The rules are simple, the "game" is simple. People like to see flying parts, sparks, something fighting for its survival, etc. Just like people like(d) to see gladiators and bear baiting (and bull fighting and kickboxing and WWF...).

There are far more kids out there who want to build a battlebot than want to join a FIRST team. For one thing, far more know about BattleBots (and similar TV programs) than FIRST. For another, adolesents (especially males) are driven in our society to be violently competitive.

All of this makes FIRST's job really, really hard. (And some would say that much more important.)

In the end, I will say this. I used to like BattleBots. I liked the demonstrations of driving skill, design, strategy, etc. Now, I am bored with it. The game is the same every time. Rather boring. Perhaps this is the advantage FIRST can exploit. Come back next time and check out the NEW GAME!

Just some thoughts.

-Mr. Van