Thoughts on Battlebots
Since the forum have raised some points on improving battlebots, here are some ideas on how I think the show can be improved.
Modern Bots are Too Powerful
Most of the top-tier bots are so destructive that they tend to end the fight really quickly with KOs. Doesn't this kind of hurt the quality of matches when they become too short? It feels to me like you given two boxers firearms and let them have at it when they really should have used boxing gloves.
I am not against technological progress, but such powerful weapons lead to immediate incapacitation of bots.
Battlebots Variety
We need to have some form cap on the percentage of vertical spinners that are allowed. This incentivizes more unique weapon designs and would also address my previous comment on how powerful bots are becoming because most of them are using vertical spinner weapons to be so destructive.
Things They should Remove
Shelf
Horizontal spinners are handicapped. As if horizontal spinners/full-body spinners aren't handicapped enough with their slower spin up times.
Killsaw Slots
The killsaw slots entangle the bots forks and it stops the action. The battlebot arena crew would then have to get the bots out which waste time.
Things They should Improve/Add
Hammers
The hammers should be powered by AI and need to come down more often.
Make the arena hazards more deadly to bots because the bots are becoming really durable.
Out of Arena Zones
Again, this stops the robot fighting action too quickly when one bot goes out like this.
Different Weight Classes
They should bring back the different weight classes. Larger bots tend to cost more to fabricate and maintain which limits the entrance of people into the sport. It might also make the show more entertaining to watch because the weapon dynamics might behave differently for different weight classes.
Both Bots Weapons Incapacitation
If both bots' weapons are down, they should stop the fight early for a judges' decision if it becomes obvious that no further damage can be inflicted on one another after 45 seconds of weapons failure. The pushing matches are not that entertaining to watch.
Judging
Use AI for Judging
AI can record and analyze pretty well now, it should be used as the voice
of the third vote as a less biased tie-breaker on close matches.