BattleBots Return - And They're Powered by VEXpro!

[Grant Cox]

Bob Mimlitch III (IFI Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer), Tony Norman (IFI Co-Founder and CEO), Paul Copioli (President of VEX Robotics)

If you haven't heard, BattleBots is back! Believe it or not, BattleBots has played an exciting role in the history of VEX and our parent company, Innovation First International. In anticipation of the season premiere this Sunday, we thought we would share some of this history with the Chief Delphi community.

When the Victor 883 was introduced back in 1999, it was the first motor speed controller developed specifically for use in the growing competitive robotics world. FRC teams reaped the benefits of smaller size/weight and increased current capacity; it revolutionized the way that their 130 lb robots were designed and controlled.

Soon, other competitive robotics enthusiasts took note of this new technology, and in the early 2000's, Victor 883 controllers even started appearing on BattleBots. In addition to continuing their development of 12V motor controllers for FRC, IFI responded to this unique new demand with higher-powered products for these massive, 340 lb machines.

• A 60A / 24V version of the Victor 883
• The 120A / 24V "Thor" controller, now called the "Victor 885"
• The "Victor-HV" series at 120A / 36V and 90A / 48V

These electronics could be found in an estimated 80% of robots in the BattleBox, and IFI also provided official sponsorship to several teams (including my personal favorite combat robot, Nightmare).

Over time, IFI Robotics progressed into VEX Robotics and the VEXpro product line, but our passion for all forms of large-scale competitive robotics has remained constant. As seen above, Bob, Tony, and Paul had the opportunity to attend a taping of the new 2015 season - we are thrilled to share that Victor 885's are still the speed controller of choice, and can be found on nearly every robot competing this year! VEX is also proud to be sponsoring three of the teams that you'll be following on TV:

• Inertia Labs - Bronco
  • Creators of the legendary Toro, winner of a BattleBots superheavyweight world championship and two Royal Rumbles
• Aptyx - Bite Force
  • Creators of the championship-winning Barrage and featured in this "Meet the Robots" video
• Mutant Robots - Lockjaw
  • Creators of Diesector, two-time superheavyweight champion and featured in "Meet the Robots"

Keep an eye out for Bronco, Bite Force, and Lockjaw as they enter the new BattleBox on Sundays, 9pm EST on ABC!

[Michael Corsetto]

Go Team Aptyx!

Now I'm kicking myself for not attending the taping last month, but I'm pumped to watch the action this Sunday!

-Mike

[Cory]

If you're watching this weekend you'll see three 254 mentors with Aptyx Designs' Bite Force!

Myself and Travis were part of Paul Ventimiglia's pit crew at the event. It was a lot of fun and we're looking forward to the first episode, where they will show our qualifying match vs Warhead, one of the most iconic battlebots from the original series.

[MikLast]

FRC-Battlebot merger confirmed.

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Your robot reminds me of Charles Guan's Uberclocker:

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Cory

If you're watching this weekend you'll see three 254 mentors with Aptyx Designs' Bite Force!

Myself and Travis were part of Paul Ventimiglia's pit crew at the event. It was a lot of fun and we're looking forward to the first episode, where they will show our qualifying match vs Warhead, one of the most iconic battlebots from the original series.

Wow! Nice job!!!

[Mk.32]

Originally Posted by =Martin=Taylor=

Your robot reminds me of Charles Guan's Uberclocker:
way to big image

Did you know Charles has a team too: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...272365&fref=ts

With a design that featured uberclocker as a spirit animal.

[Billfred]

As if I needed more reasons to nerd out like I was 14 again...

Can't wait to see those three go at it!

[EmileH]

I could have swore I saw an Andymark AM14U2 chassis in their promo video.....

https://youtu.be/v05Eu6NicaI?t=55s

[Cory]

Originally Posted by emileh3467

I could have swore I saw an Andymark AM14U2 chassis in their promo video.....

https://youtu.be/v05Eu6NicaI?t=55s

The shot you're referring to is of a team near us. It's not an AndyMark base though.

[timytamy]

"The uploader has not made this video available in your country."

[Cory]

Originally Posted by timytamy

"The uploader has not made this video available in your country."

This version does not appear to be region locked.

[carpedav000]

Definately cheering for any crusher or spinner-type robots.

[waialua359]

I just saw a mentor from Team 1572, the Hammerheads in the video interview, our partners at Inland Empire during Week 1.
I forget his name, but at Champs, I recall the other team members saying he couldnt attend because he was working on this upcoming Battlebots event.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by waialua359

I just saw a mentor from Team 1572, the Hammerheads in the video interview, our partners at Inland Empire during Week 1.
I forget his name, but at Champs, I recall the other team members saying he couldnt attend because he was working on this upcoming Battlebots event.

You're probably thinking of Donald Hutson. He (and other mentors from 1572/1266) were involved with Disesctor.