Behind the Bots

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with Brandeis University student Dan Dischino for a preview of the 2024 NHRL Championship, happening this Saturday, Dec. 7 in Norwalk, CT and livestreamed on YouTube. Dan is one of the preeminent experts on the league, and we debate who’s in, who isn’t, and who we think will make deep runs in the competition.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindt...

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with the Business Cat himself, Brendan Steele, builder of Ram Plan and Slam Plan. Brendan served on the BattleBots crew for HUGE in Season 7, and in October won a Golden Dumpster at NHRL with his 12-pound version of HUGE. We learn what it takes to build a mini HUGE, and how he’s preparing for the 2024 NHRL Championship.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook....

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with MIT students Anhad Sawhney and Ryan Duarte to learn what it took to rebuild their school’s combat robotics team post-COVID, and how to build a Golden Dumpster-winning 30-pound robot in Ares.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!

This week on the podcast, we’re poring over the 2025 NHRL ruleset with Maximizer captain Jake Hoffmann. Are the new rules good actually? We explore them live!   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with brother-and-sister team Julian and Dima Papasian, who started as rookies at NHRL last year, and climbed the hill faster than most—Julian taking second place at September NHRL, and Dima winning a Golden Dumpster in October. What sets their bots, Mako and TurboFiend apart from the competition? We learn it all (and more) on this episode!   Follow us on...

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with longtime NHRL referee Gwen McGuire, who is making her NHRL debut this Saturday with a brand-new robot, Jackalope. We go behind the scenes to learn what really happens cageside, memorable fights she’s called, and whether reffing 1,000+ matches informed her design decisions heading into this competition. Other topics include vampires, the origin of th...

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with giant pumpkin farmer, combat robotics veteran, exotic pet shop owner, dad, and friend of the pod Chad New! Chad took home his fourth career Golden Dumpster in September with his 30-pounder Yahoo, and is gearing up to enter BattleBots FaceOffs later this week as part of Group D.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us o...

This week on the podcast, we’re going behind the scenes at NHRL with broadcast producer Neil Sullivan. Neil works in the production room on event day to help the livestream run smoothly. Super interesting discussion from an expert on live sports productions.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate y...

This week on the podcast, we’re catching up with September 2024 Golden Dumpster winner Peter Garnache from Repeat Robotics. Peter is a former HEXBUG designer, Horizon pit crew member on BattleBots, robot hobby shop owner, and (now) a Golden Dumpster winner. Oh! And a new dad!   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we r...

This week on the podcast, we’re recapping September 2024 NHRL with 12-pound Golden Dumpster winner Liam King, who qualified his second bot of the season: Buzzzzz-Kill. We talk about his journey in the sport, his winning strategy, and what it feels like to win a Golden Dumpster on your 21st birthday.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a fri...

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing BattleBots Fall Faceoffs, with BattleBots co-creator Greg Munson. There’s been a lot of recent changes with BattleBots, so we’re catching up with Greg to get an update on what’s on the immediate horizon for the show.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate...

This week on the podcast, previewing the fifth NHRL qualifier event happening on September 14th! We take a deep dive on the bots across the 3, 12, and 30lb brackets and discuss some of the new, terrifying, and/or experimental robots coming your way. We also talk to Aria Bravo builder J Lee about their penchant for mecha style bots (and how to build a motorcycle out of chainsaws). Don't miss it!  ...

The trilogy concludes with our third and final (??????) hot takes episode. Things get a little silly. Check the behind-the-bots discord channel for competition details! And thanks again for sticking with us for five long years. <3 

We keep the hot take train rolling. Now with more advocating devils!   Pt. 3 dropping soon......

Catch the NHRL Teams event on June 1st! Get your tickets at https://www.nhrl.io/events

You submitted over 100 hot takes. We discuss, and occasionally roast them. Pt. 2 dropping this month!   Thanks for 5 wonderful years. <3 

This week on the podcast, we’re recapping the April 2024 qualifier event, which minted 12 fresh invitations to the Finals later this year. We’re breaking down the action with the teen phenoms on Team Stamina, a group of teenagers who have more experience in the box than most people twice their age.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a frie...

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing April 2024 NHRL, which will feature some big changes to the House of Havoc. We’re joined by guest cohost and friend of the pod Zoe Lambert, captain of Team Honey Cracked at NHRL, robotics mentor, and pit crew member on Team Mammoth on BattleBots. Together, we’ll break down all the action to look for this weekend in Norwalk, CT.   Follow us on Facebook: fa...

This week on the podcast, we’ve got a returning guest from the earliest days of the pod, RailGun Max captain Elaine Wu! She was on the pod aaaaall the way back in August 2019, just months before the pandemic shut down the globe. In March, she returned to the U.S. for the first time since 2019, to compete at NHRL and visit BattleBots Destruct-a-Thon. We’re catching up with her at the tail end of he...

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing March NHRL, plus talking about our experience at Motorama 2024.   Note: Unfortunately, Kyle's audio wasn't saved by our recording program! Apologies for any continuity/audio weirdness this may cause.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing Motorama 2024 with Northeast Robotics Club officer Jon Durand. Motorama is the flagship event of the year at NERC, with several thousands spectators over a very long, often cold, weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. We preview the action happening this weekend, and reminisce over Amish Hot Pockets.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthe...

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing the 2023 NHRL All-Stars event, Dec. 5, 6, and 7 on YouTube. We’re catching up with NHRL Henchman Sam who will give us an inside look at what to expect.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!

This week on the podcast, we’re recapping the 2023 NHRL Championships, which saw Emulsifier take home first place in the 30-pound weight class, Full Court win in the 12’s, and Booty Brigade take home the Golden Brett in the beetles.   Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/behindthebots Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts Tell a friend about the show; we really appreciate your support!

This week on the podcast, we’re previewing the 2023 NHRL Championships, which will be held this Saturday in Norwalk, CT and livestreamed live over YouTube. We’re joined by our good friend Chris Moran, who is in charge of social media growth at NHRL, and is a walking encyclopedia of NHRL’s top builders and bots. We also recap the most recent episode of BattleBots Champions.   Follow us on Facebook:...

This week on the podcast we have two very special guests! Jeff Waters of Supreme Ruler and JackPot-Battlebots and Jason Woods the innovator behind cam lifter style robots and Tracer - Battlebot . We're excited to talk to Jeff and Jason about the Golden Bolt tournament and discuss the intricacies of cam lifter supremacy.   Buy Jackpot Merch!! https://vegascombatrobotics.com/index.php/product/jackpo...