Blender Mini

Blender Mini
Participation Information
BBIQ	BotsIQ 2008 BotsIQ 2009
Other Names	The Blender Mini
Team Information
Team	RHS Robotics
Team Members	Matthew Tavares Scott Mikus Jerry Layton Joseph Tavares Teresa Tavares Marissa Tavares Molly McGregor Ratul Pujari Lisa Becvarik Rocky Gentry Nikkan Yadegary Cyrus Cantrell Mark Spong Matt Tavares
From	Richardson, TX
Other Entries	The Blender
Robot Statistics
Weight	~15lbs
Power	LiPo batteries
Drive	4x Brushless motors
Weapons	Shell spinner
Statistics correct as of its most recent appearance on the show, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Blender Mini (also known as The Blender Mini) was a 15lb robot built by students of Richardson High School in Dallas, Texas. According to its RHS Robotics, Blender Mini fought in the 2008 and 2009 BotsIQ competitions.

It was a downscaled version of the team's middleweight, The Blender. Much like its middleweight counterpart, Blender Mini sported a large, spinning outer shell made from titanium and proving 360 degrees of attack and defence. According to captain and driver Matthew Tavares, Blender Mini spun nearly three times faster than The Blender. It utilized a 3D-printed ABS plastic chassis reinforced by 6061 aluminum, though this chassis was rebuilt ahead of the 2009 competition.

"The Blender Mini was the first of the UT-Dallas combat robots. Starting a new team is tricky so a smaller 15lb 2500 RPM full body spinner was made. The smaller size and lower cost allowed technologies such as brushless motors, 3D Printed chassis, lithium batteries, and exotic titanium shell shapes to be tested out. Winning 2nd place in the 2008 15lb college division of Bots IQ and competing again with a rebuilt chassis in 2009, the Blender Mini carried nearly 1700 Joules of energy in a fully spun up shell and had three times the rpm of the 120lb Blender."

— Matthew Tavares on Blender Mini on his portfolio

Blender Mini fought in two BattleBots events, though many of its opponents are unknown. However, Blender Mini reported placed second in its division. Two documented fights from the year after exist, but Blender Mini lost in both - one of which was an exhibition rumble. Blender Mini is not known to have competed again in BattleBots after 2009, whereas The Blender continued on and became College Division champion in 2011.

The team attempted to build a 250lb scale version in 2019, but ultimately did not compete in the televised BattleBots show. Tavares continued to enter smaller versions of The Blender into US live events, calling it Pico Blender during a 2022 competition.

Inside Blender Mini.

Blender Mini being transported.

Robot History

BotsIQ 2008
Blender Mini vs. The Juggernaut Blender Mini is pinned in the corner. Blender Mini's only documented fight of the 2008 competition came against Team Elite and The Juggernaut. The winner of this fight is unknown.
Blender Mini vs. ? It is not documented who else Blender Mini fought in this event. However, it ultimately placed second in its division.
BotsIQ 2009
Blender Mini vs. Tornado Mini Blender Mini struggles to right itself. Blender Mini fought a fellow shell spinner, Tornado Mini, during the 2009 BattleBots IQ event. Just seconds into this fight, Blender Mini became unbalanced and was overturned. Despite its best efforts to self-right using its primary weapon, Blender Mini stopped spinning after a final tap from Tornado Mini and lost by knockout.
Mini Class Rumble Post-tournament, Blender Mini took on The Dethinator, Quasar and Tornado Mini in the larger, 120lb arena. After a strong start, Quasar was overturned and left spinning in the corner of the arena. Tornado Mini and Blender Mini were left to fight it out, but Blender Mini was flipped over by the hellraiser. As Tornado Mini and The Dethinator both ground to a halt, Quasar was revealed to have righted itself, and proved functionality as the last robot remaining. As such, it won the rumble.
Mini Class Rumble Blender Mini also fought in a three-way rumble, this time against just Quasar and Tornado Mini. Again, however, Quasar took the win.

Competitive Wins/Losses

• Wins: 1 (Minimum)
• Losses: 2 (Minimum)

Exhibition Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0 (Minimum)
• Losses: 2 (Minimum)

Total Wins/Losses

• Wins: 1 (Minimum)
• Losses: 4 (Minimum)

Competition	Wins	Losses
BotsIQ 2008	? ?	?
BotsIQ 2009	?	Tornado Mini ? Quasar (Rumble) Quasar (Rumble)