From slicing blades to stunning hammers to spinning claws, crushing the competition in the world of robotics combat seems like the primary goal. But those who know it best will tell you that the goal is something much greater. The true heart of robotics is camaraderie—bonds formed over the unexpected, lessons learned after heartbreak, and memories made with teammates and competitors alike.
Few people understand the value of camaraderie in robotics better than visionary entrepreneurs, Trey Roski and Greg Munson, cousins and co-founders of BattleBots®. Their vision has helped transform robotic combat into a global phenomenon. With a passion for inclusion, inventive engineering and competitive spirit, Trey’s innovative approach has fostered a community where creativity meets competition. Under his guidance, BattleBots® has evolved from a niche interest into a dynamic platform that entertains audiences around the globe while celebrating technological prowess and teamwork.
Building robots, building relationships
While individual skills like programming and design are crucial, the collaborative nature of building a robot teaches kids how to listen, communicate, and lean on one another’s strengths. Whether they’re designing a battle-ready bot or debugging lines of code, these young innovators learn that great ideas are rarely built alone. “iD Tech teaches kids how to work together, which is a lesson the whole of society needs to learn,” Trey shares.
The team-oriented environment at iD Tech mirrors what Trey sees at the highest levels of robotics. “When people come to try out for the TV show, they’re in a building of 2,000 competitors. And each team helps each other. I’ve seen teams sit next to their competitors who they’re about to battle in five minutes, and they’re helping each other, sharing ideas, giving each other new things to try, and volunteering parts. They want each other to win. It’s a camaraderie you don’t see anywhere else.”
That unique sense of community starts early, and that’s exactly what iD Tech fosters at camp. The experience is never just about winning—it’s about learning together and helping one another succeed. Trey’s insight? “After a battle, teams want to be able to say their competitors beat them at their best. They beat them, hands down. If they lose, they take that loss and come up with a new idea to do it better and come back stronger next time.”
Losing is winning
In many competitive environments, the focus is solely on victory. But according to Trey, losing in robotics is just as valuable—if not more so—than winning.
“The winning and losing at BattleBots® doesn’t matter. The success of building a BattleBot® is building the BattleBot® and seeing the light turn green in the arena. When it drives out of the square, that’s the success. You’ve won, you’ve succeeded. The fight at that point doesn’t matter. If you win, great. If you don’t, okay, you’ll come back and build it better. But there’s no real losers in the arena.”
This mindset changes the focus from the outcome to the journey, which is an essential paradigm shift for kids. Losing becomes a stepping stone to success, sparking conversations about how to improve and innovate for the next challenge. How can they enhance their design? Troubleshoot their code? Collaborate on a new feature? Working together builds confidence and critical-thinking skills because with teammates by their side, kids learn that setbacks are easier to navigate when they lean on each other for support.
The magic of belonging
What sets robotics apart is the sense of community it inspires. For many kids, finding a place where they truly belong is life-changing. Both iD Tech and BattleBots® create spaces where kids not only build machines but also confidence and connection. In the BattleBots® arena, competitors lend tools to each other, share advice, and celebrate each other’s victories. It’s a sport where helping your opponent fix their robot doesn’t diminish your own success—it makes the entire experience more full.
“The energy, the camaraderie, the friendship that you get and BattleBots® and iD Tech is magic. It’s something some kids have been looking for their whole lives and bonds they will have for the rest of their lives.”
The sense of camaraderie makes the journey just as exciting as the destination because building a robot isn’t just about the final product. It’s about the time spent problem-solving, the collective excitement of watching a creation come to life, and the shared triumphs and setbacks. As Trey puts it, “The people who win at BattleBots® deserve it. And the people who lose aren’t really losing. They’re building, learning, and coming back better.”
Camaraderie is more than just friendship
Camaraderie isn’t just about friendship, it’s also about mentorship from those who’ve come before—those with the knowledge and experience to guide and welcome. Sometimes all kids need is someone to invite them in or someone to show them the ropes, and it changes everything. You might not think of BattleBots®, a fierce robotics competition, as a mentoring environment, but Trey says that’s one of its most inspiring aspects—which was one of the reasons he decided to partner with iD Tech.
“Mentorship is what iD Tech does. iD Tech gives kids the tools and guidance to build their first creations. And what they learn is not just how to build a BattleBot®, but how to work with their peers as a team, budget their time, build with parts and tools, and create something new for a simple purpose. They learn how to win and lose—both teaching what they can do better. iD Tech is one of the best mentorship programs out there. BattleBots® is just the hook—iD Tech is the mentor that opens the door for a new and unrecognized road to success.”
At BattleBots® Camp, kids learn from instructors who guide them through the complexities of robotics. Whether troubleshooting wiring or learning how to safely use tools, mentorship provides kids with the knowledge they need to turn their ideas into reality. And just like in BattleBots®, teamwork is essential—bringing together different skills, perspectives, and strengths to create something greater than any one person could achieve alone.
The thrill of creating—together
When teams work together, true magic is possible. There is no greater feeling than working side by side with like-minded friends toward a common goal and seeing it come to life. Whether kids are designing a BattleBot® feature or programming their first robot at iD Tech, the process teaches them to see the world through the lens of possibility.
When we sat down with Trey, he told an incredible story of two kids who qualified to compete in the BattleBots® arena. With $200 and a dream, they built a multi-bot using two wooden boxes covered in carpet. Their competitors? Two professors from MIT who spent $70,000 on their bot, which had first-person view cameras for driving, saws, turrets, and a net-throwing device. When the BattleBots® light turned green, the team of two kids shocked the entire arena when their multi-bot split in two and duct taped their opponent. The crowd went wild.
Trey says that’s what robotics is all about, “BattleBots® is about using your brain with little to no consequences—just the potential for success.”
Ready for your child to have their own Cinderella story?
Here are a few avenues to consider:
- Join a robotics club: many schools and communities offer FIRST Robotics, VEX Robotics, or BattleBots®-inspired teams
- Explore BattleBots® Camps or private lessons: as the exclusive education partner of BattleBots®, iD Tech is proud to offer in-person and virtual programs you can’t find anywhere else
- Explore robotics toys and kits: beginner-friendly kits like LEGO or Team Witch Doctor let kids experiment with building and coding at home
- Attend a robotics competition: seeing the excitement firsthand can inspire kids to dive into the world of robotics
- Watch BattleBots®: there’s no substitute for the lights, camera, action of a full BattleBots® production, so tune in here to see the spectacle
TL;DR
The camaraderie built through robotics isn’t just about the present—it shapes the future. Learning to work together, support others, and celebrate each other’s wins build character that extends far beyond STEM.
The partnership between BattleBots® and iD Tech was no accident. Trey’s vision for BattleBots® and iD Tech’s mission perfectly align and have created an environment where kids learn more than technical skills—they learn the importance of community. Whether they’re building bots or future careers, the friendships and mentorships formed through robotics will empower them to overcome challenges and thrive.
In a world that needs more kindness and camaraderie, these young innovators are learning that the strongest machines—and the strongest people—are built together.