Builder Interview: Alex Downing
Some builders enter the sport through a slow burn, others through a spark, and Alex Downing arrived with the kind of creative chaos that only a Pringles-can robot can inspire. Known for Eclipse and Eclipse-150, Alex has built his place in the community through curiosity, big ideas, and a willingness to learn by breaking things, fixing them, and breaking them again. From Colorado test boxes passed from builder to builder, to redesigning Eclipse piece by piece, his path blends experimentation, music-stage energy, and a genuine excitement for helping new builders find their footing. With a move to the UK on the horizon and new events calling his name, Alex shares the story behind Eclipse’s evolution and the passion that keeps him building.
Q: What Bots Are You Known For?
Alex: Eclipse, Eclipse-150
Q: How did you first discover combat robotics, and what made you decide to actually start building?
Alex: I watched battlebots as a kid, and was reintroduced by William Osmans moist pony video.
Q: What was the first bot you ever built, and what do you remember most about that experience?
Alex: My first robot was a 150g control bot called Cosmic. It was a Pringles can on an RC car. I remember struggling to glue the can. I also remember the cheers the bot got when it won it's first fight!
Q: Who were the early influences or people who helped you learn the ropes when you were just starting out?
Alex: A ton of local builders helped me so much. I was given a test box (Which is just passed onto another builder just getting into the sport!)
I became friends with Luke Quin, Jonathan Clark, and other colorado builders as well.
Jonathan Shultz from team Huge has also been a huge help when it comes to big wheels!
Q: How has your current bot evolved from your first version or first idea?
Alex: The only thing that remains the same on Eclipse -150 is the receiver.
I started angeling the face spinner, switched to a different leg, switched chassis and wheel materials, and changed the blade many times.
Eclipse 3lbs is currently having its first major redesign, switching from a belt to gear driven weapon, along with adding a second leg!
Q: What’s one thing you wish you knew before building your first bot?
Alex: I really enjoy learning from my failures, im quite proud of this!
Q: Do you prefer building, driving, or strategy — and why?
Alex: I love both building and driving. Building something up that I designed is indescribable. I'm very proud of creating something unique.
For driving, I used to play guitar in a school rock band. It reminds me of being on the stage blasting power cords. I'm very grateful this sport allows me to do this still!
Q: What was your favorite fight you’ve ever had and why?
Eclipse -150 vs. Void (not the NHRL void haha)
Void at the time was seen as the most dominant fairyweight in the country. And I was sure I was going to loose. Especially when I had weapon issues at the start of the fight. I ended up getting a KO on Void. This is the fight that made me realize that the Eclipse design had potential to be a competitive design.
Q: What keeps you excited about the sport?
Alex: A couple things:
1. The drive to make my robot better.
2. Seeing creative and fresh ideas pop up and get innovated on.
Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about building their first bot?
Alex: Your first robot is going to suck. But that's fine! You'll be able to learn from what goes wrong and start patching up weaknesses.
Don't be afraid to ask for specific advice! Almost every builders is excited to talk about their design decisions. Every builder wants to see your best possible bot in the arena!
No one knows everything, and everyone brings something!
Everyone has something unique to bring to the table. Be it mechanical engineering knowledge, art skills, RC car knowledge, or a creative idea, this sport allows anyone to make something that represents them.
Q: What are your goals for your next event?
Alex: My next event will be the first event after I move to the UK. My goals are to make my bots UK-legal and introduce myself to the British builders!
Q: Are there any events you hope to compete in in the future?
Alex: I hope to go to either Robot combat leagues nationals or April NHRL. Both will allow me to see many of my colorado friends again!
I also hope to fight at Bristol bot builders and other UK events! I have been starting to eye up events in mainland Europe as well!
Q: Where do you see your bot, or yourself as a builder, a year from now?
Alex: I want to make a beetle Eclipse that works well and is as competitive as the fairy. I'm sad to be leaving the large Robot combat events league, but I hope to rank as well in UK leagues as I have been able to rank in the US with the fairy!
While looking for jobs in Scotland, I plan to spend some free time making videos to help people who may not know random basic things. This is going to be very entry level such as a how to pick parts, what materials are available, how to solder/wire up a wedge bot. My goal is to have a spot that can be helpful for people just getting into the sport that has a gap (or gaps) in there knowledge like I did when I started.