Battlebots

BattleBots, also BattleBots Inc., is an American company whose purpose is to host combat robot competitions. BattleBots is also the name of the television show created from the competition footage, and a nickname for the combat robots which compete. BattleBots Inc. is headquartered in Novato, California and holds most of its competitions in San Francisco.

Related Topics:
American - Combat robot - Television - Novato, California - San Francisco

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In a BattleBots event, as in other combat robot competitions, teams of competitors bring remote-controlled, armored and weaponed machines which they have designed and built, and put them in an arena to fight in a single-elimination tournament. The purpose of the fight is for one robot, or "bot", to dominate or disable the other.

Related Topics:
Combat robot - Tournament - Robot

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The television show BattleBots aired on the American cable network Comedy Central for five seasons, covering five complete BattleBots tournaments. The first season aired starting in August 2000, and the fifth season aired starting in August 2002. Hosts of BattleBots were Bil Dwyer and Sean Salisbury and correspondents included former "Baywatch" babe Donna D'Errico, Carmen Electra, Traci Bingham, and identical twins Randy and Jason Sklar. Bill Nye was the show's "technical expert".

Related Topics:
Television - Comedy Central - Bil Dwyer - Sean Salisbury - Baywatch - Donna D'Errico - Carmen Electra - Traci Bingham - Randy - Jason Sklar - Bill Nye

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Due to continued declining ratings (one major criticism of the show was that it focused far too much on the wacky reporters and the robot builders' backstories, and not nearly enough on the actual robot combat), Comedy Central terminated their contract with BattleBots Inc. in late 2002, and BattleBots Inc. is currently seeking another television partner.

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There is some discussion as to whether the machines entered in such contests are true robots as they are not autonomous in their actions. They are remotely controlled by their teams, so might be more properly referred to as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Self-controlled, or autonomous combat robots, are allowed under the rules, but are very difficult to make competitive in the complicated combat environment.

Related Topics:
Robots - ROV - Autonomous

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In addition to Battlebots, many local and regional combat robotics organizations are active throughout the world. Many of them focus on lighter-weight robots to keep arena and build costs practical for hobbyists.

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