BattleBots on Comedy Central & NEW Innovation FIRST products

[archiver]

Posted by Dan.

Student on team #10, BSM, from Benilde-St. Margaret's and Banner Engineering.

Posted on 6/22/2000 10:59 PM MST


In Reply to: BattleBots on Comedy Central & NEW Innovation FIRST products posted by Dan on 6/20/2000 5:29 PM MST:



I've been 'into' BattleBots and Robot Wars for four years now and I even got to compete at the first ever BattleBots in August of 99. For those 4 years my competitors have been more than willing to answer my questions and share virtually anything about their robot. The competition was just as fun as any FIRST competition; the people were just as friendly and helpful. Tools were openly shared--like FIRST--and the atmosphere was nothing like it was in the arena. After matches the competitors would share their dents and scars, sometimes autographing the big ones or trading aluminum panels as souvenirs.
Right now the focus of most competitors is not solely to win. A lot of the designs are really not meant to be competitive but just cool. I'm not looking forward to the days when this is super-competitive and cut-throat because I aspire to make robots that are cool and entertaining.
As for the waste of parts thing, the only things usually wasted are armor panels or frames. 95% of the damage is cosmetic or cheaply and easily repaired. Most people couldn't afford to blow motors or lose electronics every competition. Of course some people have lost their entire robot in a match but the way I see it:
1. By sacrificing your robot you are forced to realize it's not the end product (ie the robot) that matters, it's the process that produced that robot that matters. That process, of course, cannot be destroyed.
2. You put your money where your mind is, so to speak. If you engineered your robot well than it won't get turned into waste. What better motivation to have a well thought out robot.
3. It's entertaining, and now since BattleBots will be nationally televised, it entertains a whole bunch more.
:-Dan

PS I think you guys will like my robot, it has a little of the FIRST-style flare in it.