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!