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Our Story

Team Extinguisher Battlebot

Extinguisher is a 250lb fighting robot built by builders from Tampa and Lake City Florida. The team has over 35 years of electronics, pneumatics, and hardware experience and over 6 years of combat robot experience including as a Battlebot’s competitor in 2020! Team members include electronics recyclers, cad specialists, battery specialists, and machinist. Our Captain is currently pursuing an Engineering degree at the University of Florida. We strive to endure the hardest hits while dishing out counter attacks that are specialized to our opponents.

Team Extinguisher Members

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Meet the Team

John Flaacke IV

John Flaacke IV
Team Captain, Driver, and Builder

John started in the field of combat robotics at the age of 11 where he built a heavyweight named extinguisher (engine 1.0). That robot placed 3rd at maker fair Orlando in 2017 and established the team name. Over the last 6 years he has been improving the designs of the robots and has something new to bring to the table. Currently John owns a business that recycles, reconditions, and resells lithium ion batterys that have been used to create electric cars, homes, schools, and emergency power for disasters (Porto Ricco). Currently he is a freshman at the University of Florida with a major in Mechanical engineering and Construction Managment.


John Flaacke III

John Flaacke III
Special Effects Operator, Strongman, and Logistics

John is the captains father and has been the adult on the team since the first version of Extinguisher. He helps the team with the lifting and moving of the robot since the other members cant completely lift it. Last year he drove his f150 across the country with a 20ft trailer that contained the s4 extinguisher, gruff, and captain shrederator.Currently John is the CEO and cofounder of an electronics recycling company called Quicksilver Recycling which is one of the oldest electronics recyclers in Florida. In his free time he restores vintage cars and anything vintage.


Brian Boatright

Brian Boatright
Weapon Operator, Builder, and Marketing

Brian joined team Extinguisher for the 2020 season and has already made his mark by creating our website and helps make the robot awesome! He is also helping to build relationships with sponsors and fans. Brian works with The Maker Effect Foundation and dedicated 3 months to work full time as a producer for MakerFaire Orlando and Robot Ruckus in 2019.Beyond his love for making things and for as long as he can remember, Brian considered himself a "maker" possessing the ability to visualize and express his creativity. Through the creation of unique and successful solutions, he works to turn his ideas into reality. Brian is the CEO and co-founder of a successful creative services company, Eyespike Corporation, in Lake City, Florida.learn more about Brian and his projects at https://briankb.com/about


Michael Heston
Graphic Designer and Photographer

Mike helps with branding and marketing for team Extinguisher. He is an award winning graphic designer and photographer with 25 years of experience. He is married with 4 children and as co-founder of Build Fight Fun he is interested in helping to make combat robotics more accessible to a broader audience. He is also the COO and co-founder of the creative services company Eyespike Corporation.learn more about Mike and his projects at https://www.mheston.com