It is an upscaled version of a 1lb robot of the same name, which was built in early 2023.[2] Taco Tuesday sports a rollover taco-inspired design, allowing it to right itself through the geometry of its body rather than a dedicated self-righting mechanism. Unlike its antweight counterpart, which features an eggbeater drum for weaponry, the heavyweight Taco Tuesday sports a front-mounted, verticaldisk spinner inspired by the single disk of HyperShock. Made from HARDOX 450 steel and weighing 38lbs, the primary weapon is powered by two motors and can hit up to 250mph. Captain and builder Carter Hurd showcased progress on the robot in Threads.
Taco Tuesday features a unique drive system where its two wheels are perpendicular to one another. One wheel drives the robot forward and back, while another in the back turns the robot around.[3] The shell is made from 1" thick UMHW plastic, with a 4" air gap protecting its vital components held within a steel (later aluminum) chassis.[4] Its tall, concave shape allows it to help tip Taco Tuesday back onto its wheels if flipped over. Atop the chassis are red and green colored pool noodle sections, resembling traditional taco toppings. According to Carter Hurd, Taco Tuesday can accommodate front forks if deemed necessary.[5]
Taco Tuesday fought fellow BattleBots hopeful Disarray two times across the weekend of September 16-17, 2023. For its first battle, Taco Tuesday was accompanied by a minibot called Hawt Sauce built by crewbot Kaz Church, but lost by audience vote after surviving the full duration of the fight.[6] It would return a day later, beating Disarray by knockout to earn a 1-1 record for the weekend.
Hurd would later share plans to upgrade Taco Tuesday. Changes included more torque to its front wheel, the switch to a 50lb dual disk weapon similar to those seen on Witch Doctor and HyperShock, and extending its taco shell to better cover front of the robot. Another change was the switch to an aluminum frame, as well as a custom-made 1" thick rear omniwheel made from machined UMHW and metal reinforcement to improve mobility.[7] In the redesign, the team took inspiration from their competitor Disarray, shifting their weapon motors upwards for better access and tensioning[8]. This version of Taco Tuesday fought Magnitude on the weekend of March 23-24, 2024.[9]
In February 2024, Hurd uploaded a YouTube video documenting further changes. The weapon system had been redesigned with its new HARDOX dual disk weapon's four belts better protected, and its drive wheel was made from solid rubber as opposed to being pneumatic.[10] Both drive motors were now also the same, improving its reparability, and the welded tube steel frame had been swapped out for 1" thick aluminum. Taco Tuesday returned to the BattleBox in Fall 2024 for BattleBots FaceOffs group including Witch Doctor, DOOM and the robot it fought twice earlier in the year, Magnitude.[11] The team had minimal spare parts heading into the group, with Carter Hurd explaining how they had no spare drive motors or speed controllers. Hawt Sauce did not return and Taco Tuesday ultimately failed to win a battle, finishing fourth.
CAD of Taco Tuesday showing potential upgrades in October 2023.
The advertisement used to promote Taco Tuesday vs. Disarray.
Taco Tuesday competed for the first time during the September 16 Destruct-A-Thon show. Its opponent was Disarray, which beat Pteradominator twice in the first two Proving Ground battles. Prior to the match, the team discovered that the rear wheel had too much traction, which their front wheel was unable to generate enough torque to overcome. To fix these issues, the rear wheel was covered in gaffer tape, and tuning was done on-site. They also had to add an extra pole to the top of the robot to assist self-righting.
Disarray initiates a pin on Taco Tuesday.
In the first exchange, Disarray tore both right side weapon pulleys from Taco Tuesday's weapon, leaving it at half power. Taco Tuesday retaliated by cutting into the left fin of Disarray before being driven into the short corner. Here, it was hit by the pulverizer and struggled to escape until almost a minute into the fight. Disarray then pinned Taco Tuesday against the paddle, getting its drisk underneath the shell of Carter Hurd's robot.
Disarray pops Taco Tuesday into the air.
Taco Tuesday escaped again and struck Disarray's minibot. However, it was punted across the BattleBox floor several times in the second half of the battle. Taco Tuesday would remain stuck in the corner unable to move out of it for much of the last minute of the fight, also losing its remaining weapon belts and ending the fight without a working spinner.
The fight went the distance, with Disarray picking up the win by crowd vote, marking Taco Tuesday's debut with a loss.
Taco Tuesday vs. Disarray (9/17/2023)
Taco Tuesday faced Disarray for a second time on September 17, 2023. Frantic repairs had to be made to Taco Tuesday after its last fight, including rebuilding the weapon pulley overnight, and adding zip-ties to the rear wheel to reduce traction further.
Disarray attacks the side of Taco Tuesday.
In the first exchange, Disarray would get around to Taco Tuesday's side and landed a series of blows that turned Taco Tuesday over. Taco Tuesday would quickly rebound due to its geometry.
The knockout hit on Disarray.
Finding its footing, Taco Tuesday would engage in a weapon-to-weapon collision with a charging Disarray, flipping it over. After not having had time to test their self-righting tail, this mechanism failed and Disarray could not recover from being upside-down.[12]
Taco Tuesday strikes an immobile Disarray.
Taco Tuesday went after Disarray's minibot, before trying to right the main robot. This effort proved futile and Disarray was counted out, giving Taco Tuesday the win by knockout and finishing the weekend with a 1-1 record.
Taco Tuesday vs. Magnitude (3/23/2023)
Taco Tuesday vs. Magnitude as advertised on the BattleBots website.
In March 2024, Taco Tuesday returned to fight fellow Colorado team Magnitude.
Both robots spun up to speed, but it was Magnitude which gained the early advantage, getting underneath the left side of Taco Tuesday and making contact with its base. Taco Tuesday drove away from danger and swung around to face Magnitude again, before charging head-on into the screws.
Both bots come together.
Magnitude got under Taco Tuesday again, popping Carter Hurd's robot up twice and flipping itself over on the second attack. Chad New's robot promptly righted itself, but went weapon-to-weapon with its opponent in order to do so. This engagement benefitted Magnitude more, as it was also able to rip two of Taco Tuesday's weapon belts.
Taco Tuesday is overturned.
As the halfway point approached, Magnitude tore into Taco Tuesday's shell before meeting it head-on once more, deflecting it back into the corner. The vicious eggbeater ripped a chunk of the shell away with its next hit, but bounced away as its own weapon was slamming into the BattleBox floor.
Taco Tuesday flips Magnitude.
Magnitude continued its assault on Taco Tuesday's shell and Carter Hurd's robot consistently bounced back upright, but its remaining weapon belts were loose and the drisk itself was no longer spinning. Taco Tuesday drifted into the Upper Deck before facing Magnitude again. Magnitude landed several more glancing shots on Taco Tuesday before time ran out.
Damage to Taco Tuesday's shell post-fight.
Post-fight, the crowd cheered loud for both teams and a draw was ultimately declared.
Taco Tuesday vs. Magnitude (3/24/2023)
Taco Tuesday fought Magnitude for a second time during the Sunday show.
Taco Tuesday balances precariously on the arena hazards.
Both robots slowly met in the middle of the arena, but did not make contact as Taco Tuesday evaded Magnitude's weaponry. Chad New's robot got its wedge underneath Taco Tuesday momentarily, but it slipped away. Taco Tuesday was not so fortunate to escape damage in the next attack, however, as Magnitude tore into its shell and tossed it onto the housing for the screws.
Taco Tuesday is thrown out of the arena.
Taco Tuesday rolled back onto its wheels and drove over Magnitude, losing part of its armor in the process. Magnitude then delivered a big hit which launched Taco Tuesday up and out of the arena after just sixteen seconds.
As Magnitude drove away, Taco Tuesday was deemed immobile and Magnitude picked up the win.
BattleBots FaceOffs[]
Taco Tuesday vs. Magnitude
Taco Tuesday returned to the BattleBox in Fall 2024, taking on three opponents in BattleBots FaceOffs. Its first opponent was Magnitude, which it took on for a third time. Ahead of this battle, Carter Hurd's team experienced issues with their weapon pulleys and were only running with one motor rather than two for their drisk.
Taco Tuesday is rocked early on.
The fight began with Magnitude circling Taco Tuesday as Carter Hurd's machine used its rear omniwheel to remain squared up to its opponent. Taco Tuesday, despite its cumbersome nature, forced Magnitude to remain patient as Steve Judkins praised its driving. Magnitude eventually closed down the angle and struck Taco Tuesday from the side and threw it through the air, shedding some of its decorative 'lettuce'.
Bil Dwyer: "He's trying to get around to the crispy shell of Taco Tuesday."
Steve Judkins: "Oh, some amazing driving there-"
Bil and Steve: "WHOA-Ho-ho-ho..."
— Both commentators react to the first big impact
Taco Tuesday landed upright, but a follow-up attack occured in front of the drivers' booths as Magnitude stamped its authority on the early stages of this battle. The taco shell bore a visible scar on its right side as the bot performed a three-point turn to face its opponent again. Taco Tuesday attempted to slide its fork underneath Chad New's eggbeater spinner, but failed to breach its ground clearance as Magnitude used its superior agility to take control.
Taco Tuesday suffers a damaging attack.
Magnitude carved into the taco shell again, yet had done little to damage the vital components of Taco Tuesday as its spinner remained active and drive was unaffected almost a minute into this bout. However, this would soon change as a brutal blow from Magnitude launched Taco Tuesday high above both teams' booths, bouncing violently across the BattleBox and losing a drive wheel upon landing.
Taco Tuesday is immobilized.
As Taco Tuesday lay lifeless in the middle of the arena, it became apparent that its weapon belts had come loose and it had lost a number of rollers from its rear omniwheel. Magnitude drove it into the Screws as the count commenced, signalling defeat by knockout for Carter Hurd's team.
Taco Tuesday vs. Witch Doctor
Also in Taco Tuesday's group was veteran Witch Doctor. After their first round defeat, Carter Hurd expressed his desire to drive better and hit harder with both weapon motors now installed and working. It entered this battle without its front fork.
Witch Doctor waiting for an opportunity to attack.
Taco Tuesday began tentatively, spending the opening moments of this battle turning face Witch Doctor, which was threatening an early assault. With just under forty seconds gone Mike Gellatly capitalised on his machine's superior agility , damaging the plastic shell of Taco Tuesday and sending it spiralling towards the Screws. In this attack, Taco Tuesday's self-righting pole had come away.
"No!! Our post!"
— Carter Hurd as Taco Tuesday lands upside-down
Witch Doctor propels Taco Tuesday into the Screws.
Taco Tuesday propelled itself into the corner of the arena as its drisk made contact with the arena floor. Witch Doctor sat menacingly in the entrance to the right-side pocket as Taco Tuesday lay inverted, unable to recover without intervention from its opponent.
Carter Hurd: "Hit us again! Hit us again!!"
Andrea Gellatly: "Hit you again?"
Carter Hurd: "Hit us again!"
— Both teams agree to attack Taco Tuesday in an attempt to keep the fight going
Taco Tuesday is 'helped' out of the short corner.
A mutual agreement to prolong the fight between both teams followed, and the Gellatlys had Carter Hurd's blessing to strike Taco Tuesday again. Though this helped it escape, Witch Doctor's blade had carved several gashes into Taco Tuesday's shell, which was now structurally-compromised as the robot again lay upside-down.
Witch Doctor stares down a helpless Taco Tuesday.
Taco Tuesday was helpless, so Carter Hurd said he would "take one more" hit to his robot, though it was already being counted out at this stage. Witch Doctor was unable to maneuver around to act on this before the knockout call was made.
Witch Doctor took the win and Taco Tuesday fell to 0-2.
Taco Tuesday vs. DOOM
Desperate for a win to close out the group, Taco Tuesday battled DOOM on Day 3. With a third-place finish at stake, the team believed that they had put their earlier drive and weapon issues behind them going into this battle.
"So, this is actually the best version we've had all week. The first fight we had, we were running a single weapon motor. The second fight we had, versus Witch Doctor, we had the full weapon; we had drive issues. I don't know what we changed, but the drive issues are gone. We now actually have a bot that has both weapon motors and a good drive. That's the first time we've had both this weekend. Hopefully the results are better this time."
— Carter Hurd
Taco Tuesday with its bracing attached.
As a 'last-minute fix' to counter DOOM's hammersaw, Taco Tuesday was fitted with two metal rods inside the top of the shell. Carter Hurd explained that the bracing - painted a matching yellow for the battle itself - was to compensate for the lack of 'overhead armor' protecting its internals.
Taco Tuesday duelling with DOOM.
Taco Tuesday started the match with a steady drive out of the blue square. It turned to attack the back wedge of DOOM, while simultaneously taking damage to its shell and front support bar from DOOM's raised spinner. Rocking from side-to-side, Taco Tuesday kept pressuring DOOM into the upper-left pocket during a tentative phase. Further head-to-head exchanges enabled it to churn away at DOOM's front-left corner, then rip off its fork entirely while DOOM missed swings and was boxed in.
DOOM sinks its blade into the frame of Taco Tuesday.
Taco Tuesday backed away onto the lower-left Killsaw slots, bracing itself for another head-to-head collision. Sparks and cosmetic debris flew once again as its spinner struck a charging DOOM, and DOOM responded with a more precise overhead attack. The next few moments saw Taco Tuesday drift across the Killsaw slots, landing more blows to DOOM's wedge as the Team APT machine briefly pushed it back. Following more collisions and another tentative chase, both competitors exchanged further blows with their spinners. While continuing to churn away at DOOM's armor, Taco Tuesday was hooked and dragged into one of the Upper Deck bumpers by its opponent. One of its weapon belts also began to loosen by this point.
Taco Tuesday is attacked again.
Taco Tuesday, leaning to its right-hand side, weaved and weathered a side-on ram from DOOM. While struggling to line up another hit, it succeeded in making an idling DOOM miss its next swing, then eventually striking its front-left corner. This initially caused DOOM to retreat; Taco Tuesday kept its spinner facing forward as it took another overhead blow from DOOM's hammersaw. When it next approached DOOM, Taco Tuesday was deflected upwards upon hitting its front wedge yet again. The left side of its shell similarly absorbed a blow from DOOM. Taco Tuesday dodged DOOM's next swing and persisted with its spinner attacks. As the match entered its final minute, however, another swing from DOOM removed its front support bar, which landed directly on top of its weapon system.
The fight draws to a close.
Regardless of the extra damage sustained, Taco Tuesday dealt a side-on blow to DOOM, which careered into and stopped for several seconds by the blue square Screws. DOOM retreated towards and attacked the lower-right mount for the Upper Deck Screws. A series of sluggish pursuits by Taco Tuesday saw both competitors exchange further blows, and Carter Hurd's machine taking further gashes in its now-distorted shell. While rounding DOOM up into the red square, Taco Tuesday finished with more direct attacks to its spinner and left-rear corner. A judges' decision was declared; despite showing more consistent attacks and nullifying DOOM's ground game, Taco Tuesday lost the match on the subsequent audience vote. Both teams exchanged handshakes following an 'excellent' fight.
"It was still a good match. I decided to just kind of drive in at their weapon, and I was a little worried about... you know, what would happen there. They did knock off that bar that we had, but that did exactly what it was supposed to do. It slowed the weapon down, so by the time they hit - it took off one of our belts, but it doesn't look like they really hit anything critical."
— Carter Hurd shares his post-match thoughts
In post-match interviews, Carter Hurd confirmed that the front structural bar, while mangled, had successfully prevented DOOM from inflicting major internal damage. Both weapon motors were found to be fully functional, despite one getting 'a little nicked' by DOOM's spinner, and the 'flexible' nature of Taco Tuesday's shell helped cushion much of its opponent's side-on attacks. Taco Tuesday ended its 2024 FaceOffs run 0-3 and fourth in the Group D table.
