Only in Hebocon would the champion feel ashamed.

December 2, 2014 3:38 PM

"Hebocon is a robot contest for the technically ungifted. Entrants will need compromise and surrender, instead of ideas and technical skill. Robots are penalized for having high-tech features."
posted by ardgedee (25 comments total)

"...why did you create meeeeeee?"
posted by Artw at 3:43 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

"A Probot, Hank. A robot made entirely of propane tanks, welcoming people to the future. A future of Arlen pride, and hard work, and clean-burning barbecues."
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 3:48 PM on December 2, 2014

"k...k....k...kill me, master"
posted by Artw at 3:49 PM on December 2, 2014

Hahaha, the robot that would have "lost Hebocon media coverage."
posted by automatic cabinet at 3:51 PM on December 2, 2014 [4 favorites]

At 5 minutes in there is a thing that will haunt you.
posted by Artw at 3:56 PM on December 2, 2014

Landisopod is an iPhone case?!?!
posted by oceanjesse at 4:03 PM on December 2, 2014

Stripper pole used as weapon had me snorting.
posted by msbutah at 4:08 PM on December 2, 2014

"Crappiness trumps strategy." Basically my personal motto, that.
posted by koeselitz at 4:08 PM on December 2, 2014 [9 favorites]

The one that is basically just a very flat sheet will be the model for all future Robot Wars victors.
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on December 2, 2014

I also liked "crappiness trumps strategy". I should try using that at work.

There's a nice round-up of all the robots starting at 6:10.
7:08: "Not recognized by the Japan Poo Society!"
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:10 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm squirreling this screencap away for the future just to help me get through life.
posted by automatic cabinet at 4:15 PM on December 2, 2014 [8 favorites]

This is the sort of competition that I could totally get in to. Wow, I want to host one of these out here.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:22 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

METAFILTER: crappiness trumps strategy
posted by lalochezia at 4:23 PM on December 2, 2014

"See all that stuff in there, Homer? That's why your robot never worked."
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:44 PM on December 2, 2014

I now know why humans cry.
posted by Artw at 4:44 PM on December 2, 2014

"On her way to the venue, one entrant forgot her robot on the train. She gave up looking for the robot, and then sent us a photo of her having a beer. The crowd praised this act of supreme crappiness."

I love everything about this competition.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 5:10 PM on December 2, 2014 [10 favorites]

Land isopod iPhone case! Pillow.
posted by tickingclock at 5:50 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

"Although Slow, Outstanding In Weight And Power" could also be called "Snorlax"
posted by Going To Maine at 5:52 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

Also, I want all of these robots as usernames
posted by Going To Maine at 5:52 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

The best thing ever. Still snorting over "Robot that shakes soup package".
posted by Popular Ethics at 7:07 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

My favorite was "Dolls spin dynamically to advance", which was a pair of spinning Barbies attached to a gun. Very dada.
posted by wormwood23 at 7:08 PM on December 2, 2014 [3 favorites]

"It gave everyone involved a sense of excitement."

I love this SO MUCH. Everything about it. Everything.
posted by kinnakeet at 4:27 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

That Isopod case is better than I could have imagined! It CLUTCHES YOUR PHONE FOR YOU IN ITS LITTLE CLAWS!
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 5:58 AM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]

That was hilarious. Thank you for posting it.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 7:06 PM on December 3, 2014

It reminds me a little bit of the sadly discontinued Antimov contest at Sparkfun. The robots had to complete a task in as inefficient a way possible, or iirc fail, and then destroy themselves. The logo is the most adorable thing ever.
posted by mcrandello at 9:28 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]