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Interview with Battlebots Champion

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the rip-mix-burn dept.

Scoop writes "With the fifth season of BattleBots debuting a few days ago on Comedy Central, UGO.com chatted up contestant Jim Smentowski, creator of champion BattleBot, Nightmare. Jim shared his views on the hit show, his experience with Gary Coleman and robotics in general. No word yet on the rumored love-child between Smentowski and BB host, Carmen Electra."

5 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Some improvements by Mulletproof · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When the robots become autonomous, battling without human intervention, then I'll start showing real interest. That, and lets include some serious offensive weapons. Sure, spinning around like a mad top is ok, but how about projectiles? Flamethrowers? Tazer devices? That's what I'm talking about... And maybe serious, bot-bunching obstacles. Sure you'd have to hide the audiance behind bulletproof/shatterproof glass and make them sign waivers, but hey, it'd all be hella fun.

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    1. Re:Some improvements by garcia · · Score: 3, Insightful

      yeah, everyone wants this. Would it be safe to implement and would it be smart to implement?

      I much prefered this when it wasn't a TV show that was on all the time. When it was a once a year deal that I read about it was exciting to see.

      Now all the bots are terribly boring, the obstacles are boring, and it's not football.

      Just my worthless .02

    2. Re:Some improvements by Coffee+Warlord · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This would not be an improvement. This would backfire as an ungodly boring turnabout. Why?

      Drop some of the weapon restrictions. EMP burst, boom, I win. Game over. Joy. Hell, just blast water at the other guy, and let him short out. Yawn.

      It takes a bit of skill to design a physical weapon that will incapacitate these beasts. It takes nothing more than a thick checkbook to build a machine that will incapacitate remote controlled vehicles.

  2. Battlebots are inspirational by Caractacus+Potts · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Battlebots should really be called Battle-RCs, but who cares. The show is good clean fun and is inspiring the next generation to inch another step closer to creating real robots. Maybe in another 25 years or so, we'll get there. Back to my regular programming...

  3. Ummm by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Wouldn't a good EMP pulse also take out the recording/broadcasting equipment? (And where would be be if they couldn't cast their broads??)

    Anyone know the Smiling Guy's email address?

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