I am a fan of robotic combat. You know what I'm talking about -- a group of builders get together with remote-controlled machines sporting deadly weapons. They put the machines into some kind of enclosure, power them up, and do battle to see whose robot is the best fighter.

Now, most people who enjoy robotic combat also have built or are in the process of building a robot. But me, I'm just a fan. Always have been and always will be. I barely have enough mechanical skill to fill the gasoline tank when my car's running low. But I do enjoy writing about the sport. And over the past couple of years, I've written more than any sane person should about it, placing it all on this site. As you read the "articles," though, you'll have to put up with my opinionated ramblings and my complete lack of knowledge of anything mechanical. Which one's the ratchet again...?

February 26
Remember BattleBots? It looks like they've finally been able to strike a potential new television deal, so for the first time in nearly seven years, BattleBots will be holding a tournament (excluding the BattleBotsIQ competitions). It will be held on either April 23 or 24 through April 26. No information yet on whether there will be an audience, but you can check the web site for updates. The pro tournament looks like it'll feature some robots not seen since the TV days, as well as some heavyweight versions of some recognizable middleweights and super heavyweights.

I, however, don't plan on attending -- I'll be saving my pennies for RoboGames 2009, to be held from June 12 through 14. Sign-ups are still early (for both events), but I am happy to see that the rock, paper, and scissors of the heavyweight division (Original Sin, Sewer Snake, and Last Rites, respectively -- yes, I know these three have all won and lost to one another, thus making my "rock, paper, scissors" analogy weak, but, you know, I mean in a general sense) are scheduled to be there again. Plus quite a few other robots, I'd assume.

Of course, if you're near the northern California area, I encourage you to attend both. There will be plenty of robotic violence for all!

October 3
If you're in the Texas area, or are planning to be later this month, then you would be well-advised to check out the ComBots Texas Cup at the Maker Faire in Austin on October 18 and 19.

Unfortunately, I can't be there, which I suspect I'll regret, as it's shaping up to feature some heavy hitters from the featherweight to super heavyweight classes. More robots than there were at the San Mateo Maker Faire earlier this year!

I fully expect to see videos of the fights posted online once this is over!

June 26
Whoops... I'm here. I've been back from RoboGames; I forgot to say anything about it.

Lots of fun, as always. A few upsets, some amazing damage, and me yelling robot names into a microphone so forcefully that I nearly lost consciousness.

If you weren't there, you've probably already been scouring YouTube for videos, but if not, here's my favorite one. The biggest hits of the weekend captured at a high frame rate and played back in slow motion. The editing is excellent.

Time to take a nice long break until the next ComBots Cup!

May 6
Not many robots, but still some great fights at the ComBots Cup.

During a couple of the breaks, I combined my love of robotic combat with my love of game shows to ask the audience questions about fights that had taken place earlier in the tournament. And one thing that I learned is that if you want your robot to be remembered by the audience, you can do one of two things -- either be an extremely memorable performer in the arena (for example, Sewer Snake's dancing) or give your robot a name that sticks in people's heads.

The younger members of the audience were answering "The Bully" a disproportionately high number of times to my questions, and The Bully is just a featherweight wedge that only fought one other featherweight wedge. As a robot, The Bully didn't stand out, but something about the name "The Bully" (bad experiences in school?) caused the kids to give it as an answer to any question asking for the name of a robot, even when I was asking for the names of middleweights and heavyweights.

So there's your task, robot builders: Think of names that kids will find memorable. Hurry, names that are related to school or common animals will go fast!

Summaries

BattleBots -- The heart of this web site (and the thing that was the reason for its creation) is my collection of written summaries of "BattleBots" episodes. Starting with season three, after each episode aired, I wrote a disturbingly long review of each battle (and the stuff that filled time in between). They're all here for you to read, though I'm a bit embarrassed by the early ones.

BotBash by the Sea (Day One) (Day Two) -- In June 2003, BotBash held a competition at the San Diego County Fair. It was my first chance to see live robotic combat, and I took plenty of notes.

Steel Conflict 4 (Day One) (Day Two) -- In August 2003, Steel Conflict held its fourth tournament at the Petersen Automotive Museum. This is my write-up of that event, with summaries of all 79 fights that took place.

Southwest Division Championships (Preface) (Day One) (Day Two) -- In April 2004, Steel Conflict, BotBash, and SozBots joined forces to bring the country one huge robotic combat event. Here's a write-up of the things that went down inside the Steel Conflict arena, along with special observations from one of the volunteers at the event (me!).

West Coast Robotics Last Chance -- September 18, 2004: Some robots attempt to qualify for the 2004 RFL Nationals at the last possible moment. And I was there.

RFL Nationals/ComBots Cup (Preface) (Day One) (Day Two) -- In November, ComBots hosted the 2005 RFL Nationals at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Additionally, they introduced the ComBots Cup, which included a heavyweight tournament with a $10,000 grand prize. Six weight classes, seven tournaments, and 96 fights from that weekend are all summarized here.

Other miscellaneous robotic combat-related things I've written

Reflections on robotic combat announcing (page two) -- In 2007, I was honored to be the announcer at the second ComBots Cup and the fourth RoboGames. These are my recollections of what it's like to announce robotic combat and the stuff in between fights.

A Handful of Questions... -- I interview actual builders to get their opinions about their involvement in the first ComBots Cup

The Fans Judge -- a collaborative effort dissecting each non-knockout fight in "BattleBots" season five

Reviews of selected BattleBots toys

List of robot appearances from "BattleBots" season three

My pretend report from the spring 2002 BattleBots tournament

Homemade modifications to the BattleBots RC toys

About the author

Some robotic combat web sites more important than this one

battlebots.com -- The official BattleBots competition web site. Read the rules, learn about the combatants, buy merchandise, find out the latest news.

robotcombat.com -- Jim Smentowski, the creator of Backlash and Nightmare (among others), has assembled the biggest, best builder web site there is. And look at the sections on BattleBots! Tons of photos from the pits, fight histories for each and every competitor, and more.

Your author can be reached at this e-mail address.