BattleBots is a combat robot competition that originated in San Francisco in 1999. It was created by Greg Munson and Trey Roski, who were inspired by the Robot Wars television show in the UK. The first season of BattleBots was broadcast on television in 2000 on Comedy Central.
The competition involves remote-controlled robots, designed and built by teams of engineers and enthusiasts, battling it out in an arena with various hazards and obstacles. The goal is to immobilize or destroy the opponent’s robot, either through physical damage or by flipping it over.
The popularity of BattleBots grew quickly, and it became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s. The show attracted a large audience, and many fans became passionate about building their own robots and competing in the event.
After five seasons, BattleBots went on hiatus in 2003, but it was brought back in 2015 with a new format and new rules. The new version of the show aired on ABC and attracted a new generation of fans. The competition continues to be held annually, with the latest season airing on Discovery Channel in 2021.
Over the years, BattleBots has inspired similar robot combat competitions in other countries, including Robot Wars in the UK, Robotica in the US, and RoboGames in San Francisco. The competition has also led to many technological advances in the field of robotics, as well as increased public interest in science and engineering.