James Cameron Bringing Fighting Robots Back to Television

Remember Battlebots? It was a show that combined robotics with the carnal thrill of watching two gladiators tear one another apart. Well, James Cameron apparently missed the show, too. He is working on a new show called ‘Robogeddon that will bring robot combat back to television.

This isn’t a small project, either. It is being headed by both Cameron and Mark Burnett, who you might know from such hits as “Survivor”, “Shark Tank” and “The voice”.

So far we know very little about the competition, but knowing its pedigree, it should be impressive.

The show will air on the the Discovery Channel sometime in the future.

Combat Robotics Never Died

For many, combat robotics died with Battlebots. But the sport is still alive and well. Annual robot fighting competitions have been held every year around the world, with the largest post-Battlebots competition being Combots. These events rarely feature robots as large as in Battlebots, but the fights are still impressive. There are still hundreds of competitors and thousands of contestants, usually competing for glory rather than actual awards.

Robogeddon could mark the re-emergence of competitive robot fighting from the shadows and into pop culture. Which is a good thing, since I have been working on a fighting bot, myself.

It might turn out that time has passed fighting robots by. But considering how well, “Real Steel” did, I doubt it. If Cameron and Burnett can create a compelling show, we’ll likely have fighting robots populating the screen for years to come.

As long as they don’t let Jay Leno ruin it again.

Engadget Photo by : Dave Schumaker