KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The robots were ready to rumble as T-Town Beatdown III took place this past weekend at the Hands-On Science Center (HOSC).

Throughout the day Saturday, Aug. 3, HOSC and TeamPyramid hosted the three robot fighting competition where teams and competitors from all over the country gathered as 35 robot competitors faced off in 66 fights in a double elimination tournament, according to event organizer Hal Corum. The four weight classes were the Fairyweight Sportsman class, weighing at 150 g, the Antweight class, weighing at one pound, the Plastic Ant weight class, weighing at one pound, and the Beetleweight class, weighing at three pounds.

Attendees who stopped by throughout the day were treated with food and beverages as they watched the robotic competitors fight it out in the arena, placed this time in the main exhibit area rather than the auditorium.

When the smoke cleared, and the area was swept clean of parts, the winners were decided for each weight class. For the Fairyweight Sportsman group, taking first place was KillDozer, with Toaster Bath and Limbo taking second and third place respectively. For the Antweight division, Fallout came out on top with Swoop and Snakebyte taking second and third respectively. For the Plastic Ant weight class, Swoop Plastic took first place, followed by Hypnotic in second and Stinger in third. Winning first place in the Beetleweight division was Komodo while Blink took second place and Honcho claimed third place.

Those who missed out on the robot action will have another chance this weekend as HOSC are inviting residents for an electrifying evening of combat robots, delicious brats and refreshing beer as it presents Battling Bots, Brats and Beer on Sat., Aug. 10 from 5 to 9 p.m., at the science center’s campus at 101 Mitchell Blvd. Tickets for the event is $20, free for “HOSC STEM Soiree: Where Adults Play” annual pass holders, and includes a free beer or house wine, a brat and free childcare. The event is for adults 21 years and older, tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/HOSCBBBB.

SECRA is a collaboration between several robot combat event organizers in the Southeastern US. Some of the organizations that SECRA has collaborated with include Faceless Productions of Atlanta, Ga, Backwoods Combat Robots of Chapel Hill, Maximum Effort Robotics of Chattanooga, Little Chicago Combat Robotics of Johnson City, Turnabot Turnament of Atlanta, Ga, Grind City Robot Combat in Memphis and more.