![]() ![]() Please refrain from adding match information and results until FaceOffs fights are released on the official BattleBots YouTube channel. |
- "The robot's different. I mean, everybody looks at it and they go 'What the heck is that thing?'."
- — Kurt Krueger during BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon
Traves T. is a heavyweight robot built by Team 2x4 which has competed at BattleBots Proving Ground during the live show, BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon.
It is a uniquely-shaped robot which originally had eight drive wheels across the top and bottom of its design. The robot's main chassis is long and thin, housing a horizontal spinning disk at the very front which is capable of reaching speeds of 250mph and originally weighed 75lbs.[1] The legs are adjustable, allowing for the horizontal spinner to hit at varying heights depending on its opponent. Traves T. originally sat around 17" off the BattleBox floor in its standard configuration and in a 2024 interview, builder Kurt Krueger credited HUGE as inspiration for Traves T.'s unique design. The original reveal of Traves T. showcased a single crossbar of white material with its drive wheels bolted to either side, but this was reinforced with another material ahead of its August Proving Ground fights. As well as this, the single rear leg had been replaced by two, Lexan stabilizers with a single omniwheel per side. The main frame was also now green rather than blue in color.
- "I wanted to build something different, but I wanted it to be effective fighting too. I want it to be competitive."
- — Kurt Krueger on Traves T.'s curious design
Traves T. was scheduled to fight Maximum Paralysis on the weekend of July 1-2, 2023 but withdrew officially on June 28 after burning through their only weapon motor, and not having sufficient time to obtain a new one. It was replaced by Banshee, with Traves T. looking to be ready for later in the year. In July, it was revealed that Traves T. had been rescheduled to fight Snakebyte in August 2023. After Snakebyte was unable to compete in the first fight, Traves T. fought and defeated OverKill. It went 2-0 after knocking out Snakebyte in one hit on the second day.
- Bil Dwyer: "And if you guys do do well, you know, you'll probably be invited to be on BattleBots next season."
- Kurt Krueger: "I am so hopeful. You never know what's gonna happen when you get in the BattleBox, but I'm very hopeful."
- — Kurt Krueger speaks on Traves T.'s World Championship VIII chances
In October 2023, Kurt Krueger revealed a brand new Traves T. build, with numerous design changes. The rear leg was now remotely adjustable with a single, gear driven motor powering it up and down. This was driven by a control on the transmitter and would, in turn, adjust the angle of the horizontal spinning blade to allow Traves T. to attack from varying positions. Most of its electronics were now also housed in a large box at the back of the robot, and it also sported L-shaped polycarbonate legs for its drive wheels with the front wheels protected by 5" thick UMHW blocks. Traves T. also has multiple blade options, both made from ½" thick AR500 steel. This version of Traves T. suffered its first loss against Swamp Thing and had to pull out of fighting Hellfire. Traves T. returned to BattleBots in February 2024 and defeated Apex, extending its record to 3-1. In April, took on former World Championship runner-up Minotaur and lost by knockout.
Another rebuild was announced by Krueger in June 2024. A major change to this version concerned its primary weapon, which was now a 36" diameter blade weighing 78lbs. Rather than the rear leg tilting the weapon to a specific angle, Traves T.'s weapon would actuate across a large shaft connecting the wheels to its steel and titanium frame, which now covers the front wheels. With the weight saved from this redesign, the team could afford ¾" steel wheel protection in place of the UMHW blocks, seeking to enter a better-armored version of Traves T. into future fights, as well as making the overall robot taller.[2] As well as this, Team 2x4 opted for brushed motors in place of the brushless ones seen in past builds. Traves T. competed at BattleBots FaceOffs in October 2024, though catastrophe arose during testing a week prior to the event. This resulted in the finished robot destroying itself on a nearby driveway, warping its frame and tearing out vital components. A hasty rebuild took place with parts Kurt had lying around, and Traves T. would make its way to Las Vegas despite the adversity.
- "On Friday last week I took Traves out for final testing. I was driving it down my driveway while I hid behind my truck when it went off the pavement and onto the ground. Something got sucked up into the weapon chain instantly stopping the weapon. Traves flew 6 ft into the air throwing batteries and motors hundreds of feet before [it] landed in a heap..."
- — Kurt Krueger explaining the disaster in the Out of the Arena Discord server[3]
In March 2025, Kurt Krueger announced another redesign as well as a 30lb version called Traves Wee.[4]
The team previously registered for the 2004 NPC Charity Open with a lightweight robot named 2x4. However, records of the tournament bracket suggest it did not compete at this particular event.[5] He also designed a heavyweight called UFO for an unspecified Discovery BattleBots season.
Outside BattleBots[]
Kurt Krueger competed in various competitions between 2003 and 2005 as part of Team 2x4. This included the 2004 RFL Nationals and the 2005 Robotic Revolution event held in New Orleans, Lousiana,[6]
Traves T. registered for RoboGames in April 2024. Its first round opponent was Mandamus, built by Team Double Trouble. Traves T.'s horizontal spinner was disabled after the first collision due to shorted receiver wires, which left it without a weapon for the remainder of the fight.[7] Mandamus ultimately got the win by knockout after shoving Traves T. around, consigning it to the loser's bracket. There, it was supposed to take on Ziggy Jr. - a rebranded Lucky - but had to forfeit due to technical issues. As such, Traves T. was eliminated without getting a second fight.
Robot History[]
BattleBots Proving Ground[] |
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Traves T. vs. Maximum Paralysis (7/1/2023) ![]() The graphic used to promote the fight - note Traves T.'s original reveal. |
Traves T. vs. Maximum Paralysis (7/2/2023) Traves T. was scheduled to fight Maximum Paralysis for a second time a day later. Due to its aforementioned withdrawal, this fight did not happen. |
Traves T. vs. Snakebyte (8/5/2023) ![]() The promotional image for Traves T. versus Snakebyte. |
Traves T. vs. OverKill (8/5/2023) ![]() Traves T. in the BattleBox. ![]() Traves T. lays into OverKill. ![]() Damage to OverKill post-fight. Despite late drive issues from Traves T. caused by a wire connecting a motor to its controller coming loose, OverKill was left unable to move. A count began on the ShowBot, confirming a win by knockout for Traves T. on its debut. |
Traves T. vs. Snakebyte (8/6/2023) Traves T. was scheduled to fight Snakebyte for a second time over the weekend, and was able to following a frantic effort to get Snakebyte running.![]() Traves T. immediately immobilizes Snakebyte. ![]() Traves T. strikes Snakebyte. ![]() Traves T.'s final attack. Traves T. picked up a second win of the weekend by knockout and finishing undefeated. |
Traves T. vs. Swamp Thing (1/27/2024) ![]() Traves T. vs. Swamp Thing, as advertised on the BattleBots website. Several weeks before the fight, Kurt Krueger expressed concern over Swamp Thing's wedge and believed this fight would be "more of a driving battle" than either of its other scheduled battles.
![]() Swamp Things gets underneath Traves T. but drives into the Upper Deck. ![]() Swamp Thing damages Traves T.'s leg. ![]() Traves T. is immobilized. |
Traves T. vs. Hellfire (1/28/2024) ![]() Traves T. vs. Hellfire, as advertised on the BattleBots website. ![]() Traves T. in its position for fighting Hellfire.
However, following a brief postponement, it had to withdraw due to technical issues and was replaced by OverKill. |
Traves T. vs. Apex (2/3/2024) ![]() Apex vs. Traves T. as advertised on the BattleBots website.
Although repairs were made in time for the Saturday show, Apex experienced issues with its primary weapon and both teams mutually agreed to postpone their fight until Sunday.[10] |
Traves T. vs. Apex (2/4/2024) The new and improved Traves T. returned to combat against Apex over the weekend of February 3-4, 2024. For this fight, Traves T. was driven by crew member Zach 'Kaz' Church.![]() Both robots collide. ![]() The knockout shot. ![]() Apex is immobile in the corner. |
Traves T. vs. Minotaur (4/14/2024) In April 2024, Traves T. took on World Championship III runner-up and former Most Destructive Award winner, Minotaur. Traves T. dropped its UMHW additions for this battle, and featured a lighter crossbar preventing it from becoming stuck on its sides. It also sat lower to the floor than in previous fights, looking to strike its low-profile opponent.![]() Minotaur charges Traves T. into the screws. ![]() Both bots go weapon-to-weapon. Minotaur looked to take control and began attacking Traves T. near the screws again, successfully damaging a wheel and peeling a tire away. Daniel Freitas drove Minotaur underneath Traves T. again, evading its primary weapon which ground to a halt after their previous assault. ![]() Traves T. immobilized in the corner. |
BattleBots FaceOffs[] |
Traves T. vs. Hellfire Traves T. took on three opponents during BattleBots FaceOffs. One of these was Rick Russ and his undercutter, Hellfire. |
Traves T. vs. Rusty Also in Traves T.'s group was a returning Rusty. |
Traves T. vs. Manta Traves T. also fought Nick Dobrikov and Manta in Group C. |
Results[]
TRAVES T. | ||
BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon | ||
BattleBots Proving Ground 3-1 | ||
Exhibition Match #1 | vs. OverKill | Won (KO) |
Exhibition Match #2 | vs. Snakebyte | Won (KO) |
Exhibition Match #3 | vs. Swamp Thing | Lost (KO) |
Exhibition Match #4 | vs. Apex | Won (KO) |
Exhibition Match #5 | vs. Apex | Won (KO) |
All Star Week 0-1 | ||
Exhibition Match #6 | vs. Minotaur | Lost (KO) |
BattleBots FaceOffs | ||
Group C TBD | ||
Round Robin Match #1 | vs. Hellfire | TBD |
Round Robin Match #2 | vs. Rusty | TBD |
Round Robin Match #3 | vs. Manta | TBD |
Exhibition Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 3
- Losses: 2
Competition | Wins | Losses |
---|---|---|
BattleBots Proving Ground | OverKill Snakebyte Apex |
Swamp Thing Minotaur |
BattleBots FaceOffs | TBC | TBC |
See Also[]
Trivia[]

An image of the damage to the Upper Deck, taken by crewbot Kaz Church.
- Ahead of Traves T.'s fights against Apex, the robot damaged the Upper Deck during drive tests, ripping away one of the housing covers for the front screws and leaving a gash in the spiked bumper.
References[]
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/1409aea/comment/juf1bjl/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
- ↑ Public message from Kurt Krueger in the Out of the Arena Discord server
- ↑ Kurt Krueger explaining the disaster in the Out of the Arena Discord server
- ↑ Kurt Krueger in the Out of the Arena Discord server
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20151031050337/http://www.buildersdb.com/bracket.asp?eventid=72&zoom=7&classid=5
- ↑ https://www.buildersdb.com/robots/632
- ↑ Public message from Kurt Krueger in the Out of the Arena Discord server
- ↑ Green Square Talks Battlebots: Proving Grounds Review Part 2 (w/ Slammo/Apex and Traves T)
- ↑ https://discord.com/channels/293793025761476611/1157350786163028078/1203439348608147487
- ↑ Public comments by Craig Danby and Kurt Krueger in the Out of the Arena Discord server
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