Remote-controlled, 200-pound robots battle at Comdex

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

When it comes to staging big time fights, Las Vegas is the undisputed champion of the world. But the combatants usually aren't saw-toothed, machete-wielding 200-pound remote-controlled robots.

The machines, armed with weapons such as metal spikes and large circular saws, were pitted against one another at Battlebot '99 held during the Comdex computer convention this week. The robots fight inside a Plexiglas enclosed ring while their operators control them safely behind the glass. They battle until one is inoperable.

The battles came complete with the trappings of a typical title fight including a ringside announcer, pay-per-view television and a field reporter interviewing the winners.

Roy Hellen, 34, has been involved in robot fights and is hooked on them.

"It's like a truck pull in Silicon Valley," Hellen said. "It's not the fighting robots. It's that everyone who comes to these events - they really want to build one. It really sparks the imagination."

The thrill of battle brought others out to the event.

"I came out because I want to see big machines battle each other," said magician Penn Gillette. "Is there any other reason to be here?"

This is the second Battlebot event, the first being held earlier this year in Long Beach, Calif.

Battlebot is the brainchild of Trey Roski, the son of millionaire Ed Roski, Jr., who owns the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and the Staples Center arena.

The younger Roski said he has been taking things apart as long as he can remember, and he founded BattleBots Inc. as a way to turn an obsession into profits.

"My cousin and I needed a safe place to play with our toys," he said. "We're not into violence. But we love to play, and we like to play hard."

Roski envisions his venture taking off, with pay-per-view attracting an audience of children who will want to buy toys and other merchandise inspired by the fighting machines.