Meet the Fiery Destruction Bots of Justin Gray

Maker News Robotics
Meet the Fiery Destruction Bots of Justin Gray

You may not be able to pick Justin Gray out of a crowd, but if you’ve ever been to the Bay Area Maker Faire, you know his robots. Since the very first Maker Faire, Gray has delighted onlookers with his chaotic creations of rust, steel, fire, and destruction.

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This exhibit will be appearing at the 10th annual Maker Faire Bay Area. Don't have tickets yet? Get them here!
This exhibit will be appearing at the 10th annual Maker Faire Bay Area. Don’t have tickets yet? Get them here!

Built from scrap steel, discarded parts, antique machinery, and industrial equipment, they are unique and full of life. While they may just be machines piloted by people, their creative construction gives each the feel of a personality all their own. Some may appear harmless and even cute while others exhibit a lust for destruction.

This year at the Bay Area Maker Faire, you’ll have the pleasure of meeting several members of Gray’s robot family. He’ll be bringing Darwin, Charlie, Libby, Boris,ROEBL, and the latest addition to be unveiled at the Maker Faire. Enjoy their antics by day and prepare yourself for the fiery displays as the sun falls.

 

Charlie is a turbine  hybrid electric track drive robot utilizing a battery pack and a drive turbine engine for additional power.  The fire effect uses the turbines waste exhaust as a forced air source burning methanol and propane.  Charlie uses a Futaba 14 channel transmitter, Dual E-tek motors driven by dual Sevcon controllers. The turbine is a Solar t-62-16. Size: 3′ x 7′  x 4′ tall  Weight: 1500 lbs
Charlie is a turbine hybrid electric track drive robot utilizing a battery pack and a drive turbine engine for additional power. The fire effect uses the turbines waste exhaust as a forced air source burning methanol and propane. Charlie uses a Futaba 14 channel transmitter, Dual E-tek motors driven by dual Sevcon controllers. The turbine is a Solar t-62-16.
Size: 3’×7’×4′ Weight: 1,500lbs
Darwin is the oldest of Justin Gray’s robotic art portfolio. Darwin’s metal skin consists of rolled steel, stainless steel and copper. He also uses an original 1964 struck crawler base with modern Struck Corp tracks each driven by an E-Tek 15hp motor and  a Roboteq ax2550 DC speed controller. Darwin’s transmitter is a Futaba 9cap. Size: 3′ x 4′ x 4′ tall  Weight: 600 lbs
Darwin is the oldest of Justin Gray’s robotic art portfolio. Darwin’s metal skin consists of rolled steel, stainless steel, and copper. He also uses an original 1964 struck crawler base with modern Struck Corp tracks each driven by an E-Tek 15hp motor and a Roboteq ax2550 DC speed controller. Darwin’s transmitter is a Futaba 9cap.
Size: 3’×4’×4′ Weight: 600lbs
Libby the robot is a gentle giant. Her slow lumbering demeanor makes her approachable by her audience to enjoy her unique hanging ball fire sculpture.   Libby is built off of a mid 70’s Mauldin asphalt paver, stripped of its excess steel and welded into Libby’s servo-controlled hydraulic tracks. The fire burns in her hanging ball aided by propane and methanol dripping down her chain. Size: 7′ X 10′ x 7’11” tall  Weight: 3500 lbs
Libby the robot is a gentle giant. Her slow lumbering demeanor makes her approachable by her audience to enjoy her unique hanging ball fire sculpture. Libby is built off of a mid 70’s Mauldin asphalt paver, stripped of its excess steel and welded into Libby’s servo-controlled hydraulic tracks. The fire burns in her hanging ball aided by propane and methanol dripping down her chain.
Size: 7’×10’×7’11” Weight: 3,500lbs
Remote controlled all electric drive skid steer, the ROEBL 440 Mark 1. We want to provide contractors, ranchers, farmers, and public services organizations an all electric remote controlled loader and mobile power unit, that is job and attachment ready, to safely fulfill a multitude of dangerous jobs with the benefit of removing the operator from riding the tool. Check out Robotloader.com for specs and rental/purchase info. Size: 4′ x 6′ x 5′ tall  Weight: 3,000 lbs
Remote controlled all electric drive skid steer, the ROEBL 440 Mark 1. We want to provide contractors, ranchers, farmers, and public services organizations an all electric remote controlled loader and mobile power unit, that is job and attachment ready, to safely fulfill a multitude of dangerous jobs with the benefit of removing the operator from riding the tool. Check out Robotloader.com for specs and rental/purchase info.
Size: 4’×6’×5′ Weight: 3,000lbs
Boris is built off of a mid 70’s Davis track force 700 model trencher. Gutted to accommodate state of the art servo hydraulics. The Davis machine made the perfect platform for Boris’ sculptural elements and raw destructive power. Boris runs all electric hydraulics and a Futaba 14 channel transmitter.  With 20 gallons of propane and 15 gallons of methanol, Boris is a powerful exhibition of fire and crushing power. Size: 16′ x 4′ x  7’11”  tall  Weight: 3000 lbs
Boris is built off of a mid 70’s Davis track force 700 model trencher. Gutted to accommodate state of the art servo hydraulics, the Davis machine made the perfect platform for Boris’ sculptural elements and raw destructive power. Boris runs all electric hydraulics and a Futaba 14 channel transmitter. With 20 gallons of propane and 15 gallons of methanol, Boris is a powerful exhibition of fire and crushing power.
Size: 16’×4’×7’11” Weight: 3,000lbs

After 10 years of Gray’s presence at the Maker Faire, we can’t imagine the event without him and his bots scurrying about. These flaming destruction bots are easily one of the items that set this Maker Faire apart from many others and we love Gray and his team at Graywrx for it.

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I get ridiculously excited seeing people make things. I just want to revel in the creativity I see in makers. My favorite thing in the world is sharing a maker's story. find me at CalebKraft.com

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