If you have not had the pleasure of watching Robot Wars from the UK, you are missing the only Robot show on TV that is worth watching. Unlike Battlebots (2 dorks and 1 bimbo), and Robotica (1 dork and 2 bimbos), Robot Wars is a civilized and well conceived show. It is not a WWF rip-off, no screaming ( except by the audience ), it does not imply that you have to be pre-kindergarden to enjoy it. I'm not sure if they have a limit on costs, but, from watching it, it appears so, which makes it even more enjoyable.

Catch it if you can, it was on public TV here.

JustJay

-- JustJay-captain-Three Rusty Juveniles (justjay@neo.rr.com), April 09, 2001

Answers

I'd enjoy it more if I spoke English. RW does have the most overwhelmingly polite killer robot teams on the planet. I've never heard of an official spending limit on these things, and I've heard they can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. (Or Pound Sterling!) To make it more like JYW, I think they should have a "gas powered" class!

-- Chip Haynes (ehaynes@co.pinellas.fl.us), April 09, 2001.

You really can't get started for under a grand. If your serious, plan 5K.

I vote for 3 bimbos and no dorks (Hey I can figure out the mechanical parts myself!)

-- Dan Denney (Rustrenegades@hotmail.com), April 09, 2001.

What? Only two dorks on BattleBots? You need to watch some more. I count four dorks (Salisbury, Dwyer and those two twin guys), one bimbo AND Bill Nye. (No dork there!) At least Robot Wars has Phillipa Forester. I think she scares most of the guys she inteviews. They all act like they've never been that close to a live woman that wasn't their Mom.

-- Chip Haynes (ehaynes@co.pinellas.fl.us), April 09, 2001.

You call those robots?? The cutsey fiberglass bodies that get THRASHED? I *do* like that gas power is allowed. And most of the 'bots are defeatable by just rolling them over. There ARE exceptions, but for the most part...i THINK i could do better. I need to get a better handle on pnumatics i think...

I did order a Hitech Focus 3 FM last week that IS *NOT* HERE YET...

-- Mighty Mik (mightymik2@home.com), April 09, 2001.

Knock yourself out, Mighty Mik! I'll save my ten thousand dollars and just wait and see how you do. Better yet: I'll take eight of that and buy one of those new Triumph Bonnevilles and not care at all how you do! (I'd probably never watch TV again.) Meanwhile, let's see if we can get Robot Wars to bring their house robots to Battle Bots. Now THERE'S a robot show!

-- Chip Haynes (ehaynes@co.pinellas.fl.us), April 09, 2001.

Robots??? Nah, none of these shows (battlebots, robotica, and robot wars) have had anything that even resembles a robot. They're just souped-up remote controlled vehicles. They cannot be classified as robots anymore than the $20 battery powered cars that Radio Shack sells can be. However, having said that, the shows that I've seen are mildly entertaining (if you put them on mute).

BTW, when compared to that putz hosting Robotica, George Grey is fantastic.

-- Rick (rml_2@hotmail.com), April 09, 2001.

Bill Nye needs to keep his day job

-- Trevor (webmaster@deepscience.com), April 09, 2001.

Bill Nye does appear to get lost without a script.

JustJay

-- JustJay-captain-Three Rusty Juveniles (justjay@neo.rr.com), April 09, 2001.

hehehe...my R/C gear is here...with the HS-50 servos. Transparent blue and just bigger than a nickel. (see...i already made a choice to save weight) It normally comes with HS-55s.

You may not like the robot shows, however it may pay to pay attention to what goes into the better ones. Chain or belt drive? motor drive or pnumatic cylinder? These are choices that must be made during the design process, as you will have to do on the fly.

I do like the idea of taking the RW house bots on Battlebots and see what develops.

-- Mighty Mik (mightymik2@home.com), April 09, 2001.

Lexan...

Cogged belt...

and suspended your reciever unit by stretched rubber bands in your robot or it will be knocked unconscience by "the big hit".

-- Dan Denney (rustrenegades@hotmail.com), April 10, 2001.

i say create minor emp's {electro magnetic pulse)and aim it towards your opponant ,disable them and cruch thier tiny little tuna can bodies!!!!! >:)

-- (argo48@aol.com), February 27, 2004.