We’re joined by the crew behind one of the newest and most exciting teams in combat robotics to talk about how Spectra went from a group of friends, rivals, and ridiculously talented builders to an official team with its sights set on Pro Tour and the future of team-based competition. We get into how the roster came together, what everyone brings to the team, how they share knowledge and resources across the country, the incredible branding and social media push behind Spectra, and what happens when the people wearing the same jersey eventually have to fight each other. Then we put the team through Five in Focus, dive into your community Mailbag questions, and somewhere along the way things descend into exactly the kind of chaos you would expect from getting this many combat robot builders into one conversation.If Team Spectra has been taking over your feed lately, this is your chance to meet the people behind the robots, the team, and the brand.Follow Team Spectra Robotics:Website: https://www.team-spectra.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/team.spectra.robotics/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamSpectraRoboticsKeep up with The Havoc Rundown:Website: https://havocrundown.com/enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHavocRundownNew episodes, clips, community posts, merch, and plenty more combat robotics chaos are always on the way.
On this episode of The Havoc Rundown, we sit down with Professor Martin Mason, captain of BattleBots’ MaDCatTer and a driving force behind Southern California Attack Robotics, better known as SCAR.Martin takes us through the story of SCAR, from its grassroots beginnings to a growing Southern California combat robotics community running events across multiple weight classes and helping introduce students and new builders to the sport. We also dive into Martin’s work at Mt. San Antonio College, using combat robotics and rocketry as real-world engineering education, the evolution of MaDCatTer, building successful teams, and why failure and iteration are such important parts of learning.Plus, we get the story behind Martin’s larger-than-life BattleBots personality, some professional wrestling talk, and a packed listener mailbag.Find episodes, merch, and everything Havoc Rundown at havocrundown.com.
On this episode of The Havoc Rundown, we’re heading back around the world for a look at Australian combat robotics with Phil Curry of Hyperfocus3d Robotics.Phil joins us to talk about how he got started in the sport, the story behind robots like Leo, Meo, and Heo, Australia’s thriving 150g scene, the challenges of traveling and sourcing parts, and what makes the combat robotics community down under stand out. We also get into building alongside his daughter, competing in different weight classes, what he has learned from international builders, and where he would like to see Australian robot combat go in the future.Plus, Ryan brings an Australian-themed Game Corner, we put Phil through Five in Focus, and the Listener Mailbag dives into everything from Australian antweights to robot names, axolotls, and creepy crawlies.Check out Hyperfocus3d Robotics on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586608551856For episodes, merch, community links, and everything Havoc Rundown:https://havocrundown.com/en
We’re heading north for the latest stop in our Around the World series! Justin, Ryan, Thomas, and Tony are joined by Ravi Baboolal, founder of Bot Brawl Canada and former BattleBots competitor with LYCAN and RED DEVIL, for an inside look at the past, present, and future of Canadian combat robotics.Ravi takes us back to Bot Brawl’s beginnings at Maker Expo, explains why its massive 30-pound and 150-pound sumo robots have become such a crowd favorite, and shares how the organization has grown into a thriving builder-first community. We also explore the BBRL fight-night format, Bot Brawl’s new event-management and national ELO ranking systems, the affiliate program helping smaller events across Canada, and the long-term roadmap toward 30-pound combat and a national championship.Along the way, we discuss the generosity that defines the combat robotics community, Canadian versus American design culture, spring-loaded weapon concepts, dream international matchups, the technologies shaping the next generation of fighting robots, and, inevitably, the proper construction of poutine.A huge thank-you to Ravi for joining us and sharing the story behind Bot Brawl Canada!Learn more about Bot Brawl Canada:https://www.botbrawl.ca/https://www.youtube.com/@BotBrawlCanadaVisit Havoc Rundown for episodes, merch, community links, and more:https://havocrundown.com/en
In this episode of Havoc Rundown, we sit down with Matt and Jason Vasquez to talk about what happens when robot combat truly runs in the family. From growing up around their father’s robots to building and competing with Whiplash, Lil Lash, Defender, and 0-0, Matt and Jason share how their relationship as brothers has shaped the way they design, prepare, and compete.We also dive into the history of Whiplash, the evolution of their control-focused driving style, the pressures of working with family in the pits, and what may be next for the Vasquez brothers in combat robotics. Plus, Ryan’s Game Corner puts everyone through a snake-style robot draft featuring the best names, biggest trendsetters, and most underrated bots in the sport.A huge thank you to Matt and Jason Vasquez for joining us and sharing their family’s history, experiences, and perspective on the world of combat robotics.Visit our website for episodes, merch, links, and everything Havoc Rundown:havocrundown.comFollow Havoc Rundown on social media for episode announcements, clips, community discussions, and more combat robotics content.#HavocRundown #CombatRobotics #BattleBots #Whiplash #MattVasquez #JasonVasquez #LilLash #Defender #ZeroZero #RobotCombat #FightingRobots #Podcast #RoboticsFamily