|
|
HOUSE ROBOTS |
|
INTRODUCTION
The house robots participate throughout the program against the competitors. They are generally
not allowed to attack other robots unless competitor robot(s) infiltrate the area in which
they guard. It is necessary to analyse the house robots as they are well built, designed and
controlled. A lot can be learnt from them in terms of material choice, power and the effective
weapon systems. It is necessary that the designed robot is prepared to battle against the house
robots.
SHUNT |
      |
Dimensions:
    Weight = 105 kg
    Length = 130 cm
    Width = 110 cm
    Height = 70 cm
    Maximum Speed = 16 Kph (10 Mph)
Weapons:
    Diamond edged axe - 500 kg/cm3 cutting force
    Bulldozer scoop
    Spiked shunting element
Materials:
    Chassis - Steel
    Scoops - Steel
    Superstructure - Moulded fibreglass
Power:
    12 Volt Motor
    Internal combustion engine
    Two wheel drive
Shunt has a very low ground clearance which means that he is difficult to flip over. Shunt's
main tactic is to push opponents around, as the bulldozer scoop has not proven to cause
damage to competitors. The axe however is effective and can punch holes in thick sheet steel
and polycarbonate shells. Although Shunt is protected at the front and rear by weapons, it is
vulnerable from side attacking positions. It has a good tractive force, which presents some
difficulty to opponents.
MATILDA
|
      |
Specifications:
    Weight = 116 kg
    Length = 140 cm
    Width = 66 cm
    Height = 66 cm
    Maximum Speed = 13 Kph (8 Mph)
Weapons:
    Chainsaw tail - 3000 rpm
    Protective armoured spikes
    Hydraulic tusks
Materials:
    Body - Fibreglass matting
    Chainsaw - Steel
Power:
    Rechargeable battery unit
    12 Volt Motor - increases to 24 Volt to improve speed
    Pneumatic CO2 system - tusks
    76 cc Motor - Chainsaw
Matilda's pneumatic tusks have the ability to lift and overturn competitors. When this occurs,
most robots become immobile. The chainsaw tail can be effective against certain competitors.
It does not work well against polycarbonate and metal as it is often rendered immobile as the
chain can be often dislodged. The main area of attack would be from the side as there is little
protection in this area.
DEAD METAL
|
      |
Specifications:
    Weight = 112 kg
    Length = 160 cm
    Width = 100 cm
    Height = 70 cm
    Maximum Speed = 19 Kph (12 Mph)
Weapons:
    Circular saw (3000 rpm) and boom with 800 travel arc
    Pneumatic pincers
Materials:
    Exoskeleton - Steel
    Cutting Disc - Diamond
Power:
    24 Volt Motor
    Battery Driven Engine
Dead Metal attempts to clamp opponents using its forward mounted pincers. This weapon has the
ability to crush in a longitudinal fashion but it has yet to be exploited. The cutting disc
works in conjunction with the clamp by trapping competitor robots and then applying the saw.
Ideally, a robot would require very thick armour to protect itself from the cutting disc.
SERGEANT BASH
|
      |
Specifications:
    Weight = 120 kg
    Length = 140 cm
    Width = 90 cm
    Height = 90 cm
    Maximum speed = 13 Kph (8 Mph)
Weapons:
    Steel ramming / cutting arm
    Propane fuelled flame thrower
    Circular saw (3200 rpm)
Materials:
    Chassis - Aluminium
    Plating - Steel
Power:
    12V Motor - increased to 24V if necessary
    4 batteries running in parallel
    Steam engine
The most visually impressive weapon belongs to Sergeant Bash. The flame-thrower does not effect
many competitors unless they incorporate particularly flammable materials. The grinding disc
is the more offensive weapon. It is much more effective, but as with all grinding discs, it is
susceptible to side attacks which can shatter or tear the disc rendering it useless.
SIR KILLALOT
|
      |
Specifications:
    Weight = 200 kg
    Length = 120 cm
    Width = 120 cm
    Height = 130 cm
    Maximum Speed = 8 Kph (5 Mph)
Weapons:
    Flame thrower / lance
    Hydraulic cutting pincers - 15 tonnes of force
    Protective dorsal plates
Materials:
    Exoskeleton - Steel
Power:
    8 Hp hydraulic driven pump - Pincers
    Battery
    1 Hp, 24 Volt Motors
Sir Killalot dons two weapons, a long lance and a hydraulic cutter. The lance is effective due
to its size and its ability to rotate. It is two meters long and has the ability to lift other
robots and manoeuvre them around or pin them in a certain position. The cutter can exert a
force of 15 tons at the tip. It has the ability to cut through very thick sections of steel
bar and even wheels. The main disadvantage with this robot is its low speed, mainly due to its
high weight. Both of its weapons are forward facing which leaves it vulnerable from the rear.
The hydraulic hoses have limited protection, and as such, could be severed.
|
COMPARISONS
The house robots were built by the BBC special effects departments and as such, do not conform
to the competition rules. Weight categories are exceeded on all house robots and the use of
pyrotechnics is allowed. Refinements to the robots have occurred between series and Sir Killalot
was designed for use from the second series onwards. Robots in the super heavyweight division
should be a match for all the house robots except Sir Killalot.
Due to the team's decision to enter the super-heavyweight division, it is important to analyse
and compare the house robot's attributes, as one-to-one combat is a realistic possibility.
The diagram's below show the speeds and weights of the house robots to give a rough benchmark
for the design.
|

|
Analysis of the above draws the following conclusions. Firstly, all house robots with the
exception of Sir Killalot, are of comparable weight. Secondly, the fastest robot is Dead Metal
at 12mph - a good benchmark to aim for, Sir Killalot is the slowest , but the most dangerous.
Weapon systems on the house robots are stronger than typical weapons (for example Killalot's
hydraulic cutting arm). Since the super heavy weight category is likely to include opposition
with this quality of weaponry careful design of armour is important.
|
| |
|
HOUSE ROBOTS |
|