0:00:02 > 0:00:04The level of challenge involved with building a fighting robot
0:00:04 > 0:00:06means that there is no perfect design.
0:00:12 > 0:00:1840 robot fighting teams competing for the ultimate prize.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22This year there will be a lot of things that people won't expect.
0:00:25 > 0:00:32Battling in the biggest, toughest robot fighting arena in the world.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Each week, only the strongest will survive.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Taking on the group battles and the head-to-head,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42testing their machines to breaking point,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46fighting for the chance to become the Robot Wars Champion.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Everybody wants to knock out your robot
0:00:47 > 0:00:51just like you want to knock out theirs.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's the ultimate goal, to win Robot Wars.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04CHEERING
0:01:13 > 0:01:16This is Robot Wars.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19And this is the brand-new fighting arena where the robots will be
0:01:19 > 0:01:22doing battle, but it's not just the robots that are impressive,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25the arena itself is a feat of engineering.
0:01:25 > 0:01:2822 metres by 22 metres, it weighs nearly 90 tonnes,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30the walls are seven metres high
0:01:30 > 0:01:32and made from double layered polycarbonate,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35more commonly known as bulletproof glass.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38But before the teams enter the arena,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40the hard work happens down here in the pits.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42As you can see,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46the teams are busy fixing up their robots ready for battle.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Some of the robots our teams have built have cost up to £25,000,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and they might not even make it through the first battle.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56And even if they do, they then have to face the biggest
0:01:56 > 0:01:58and baddest fighting robots on the planet.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Ladies and gentlemen, the house robots are back.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05The house robots are...
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Three times heavier than the competitors,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16these robot titans have the power to dispatch anyone foolish enough
0:02:16 > 0:02:20to venture into the corner patrol zone.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Only the very brave, or very stupid,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25will mess with these metal war machines.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30We're going to talk to some of tonight's teams shortly,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32but first, here's how the show works.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34We start with two huge group battles,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37each featuring four robots.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40The two winning robots from each group stage progress to
0:02:40 > 0:02:43the head-to-head, a mini league made up of four teams.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47The top two at the end of this are our worthy finalists
0:02:47 > 0:02:48in today's show.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51First into the arena for Group Battle 1 will be...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Nuts have made an effort,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02with the hats and the jackets and the whole thing, and a robot that
0:03:02 > 0:03:07it would be polite to describe as more agricultural looking, let's say.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- What does it do? How does it fight? - We're not actually sure.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13The idea is to just confuse everybody, including ourselves.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15We're not quite sure how it's going to react to anything.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Does this one have mini bots as well?- Yes, down there.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22There are separate robots. And it releases these robots, does it?
0:03:22 > 0:03:23Yes.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25I like the way you've put eyes on the robots.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Googly eyes are a must for all robots.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30They're not optional.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34But we have two of these, they're completely sacrificial.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36We intend if we're up against anyone particularly nasty
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- to basically just drive straight into it and...- What are they?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Are they an escape pod or do they actually have an effect at all?
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Well, we're hoping that they gum up the works of the other robots,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48so we stand a chance with Nuts.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50I think that's our big hope.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And if Nuts really gets damaged,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55then we'll just drive these in and just hope for the best.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- Good luck, lads. ALL:- Thank you.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01You guys have a lot of pedigree.
0:04:01 > 0:04:02We're dealing with a bit of a legend here.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Yeah, Razer built back in '98 by my good self and my friend Simon here.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08It must have been modified.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10You're not going to stand a chance against these guys
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- if it's the old one.- Well, he was always pretty good, though.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16That early principle was always pretty effective cos
0:04:16 > 0:04:18the machines could never armour up that well on the top.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Now, what about the girls? Darcie, how did you get roped into this?
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Well, I just wanted to be here to support Dad because
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I've grown up with Razer since I was little.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I support the boys really by reminding them to eat and drink.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Mum springs to the rescue with food.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- I brought along a nice box of sausage rolls.- Can I have one?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- Yeah, go for it.- Are they home-made? - Yes, they are.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- They're lush, yeah. - Oh, they're delicious.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Here, you can finish that one.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48I need to go and talk to these guys. Good luck. Thank you.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51This is Kill-E-Crank-E. Am I right in saying that?
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- Yes.- Welcome to our first two young roboteers.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55This is a very unusual design.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Have you looked around and thought,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- this is a good thing or a bad thing?- I think it's quite good.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- What does it do?- Destroys things. - It destroys things.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06So how confident can you possibly be that this is going to win?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I'm quite confident cos I think it's got quite good armour
0:05:09 > 0:05:10- and it's very manoeuvrable.- OK.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12But what does it do, how does it attack?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- With a saw at the front. - And does it spin?
0:05:15 > 0:05:16It spins round as well at 500 rpms.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18So that can do some damage
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- if you can get the saw on contact with somebody else?- Definitely.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Listen, the best of luck Kill-E-Crank-E.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Is it named after the Krankies?
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- No.- In my head that's all I'm seeing now.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Janette Krankie riding a robot into battle.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I'm eating a sausage roll, excuse me.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36It looks beautiful. Is this bulletproof?
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Well, it's the same material they used for the arena.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Do you want...?
0:05:42 > 0:05:43I'll have a go, yeah.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45As hard as you possibly can.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Oh, God! I think I dislocated a finger.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48It's pretty tough.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Yeah, it's good stuff.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Literally unbreakable, hopefully. - Let's hope for it.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58The four teams must now make the nerve-racking walk up to
0:05:58 > 0:06:00the arena ready for battle.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Hopeful that their hard work and planning will be enough
0:06:03 > 0:06:06to get them through the group stage.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09So, for the first time this series,
0:06:09 > 0:06:14let's hand over to legendary commentator Jonathan Pearce.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Thanks very much, Dara and Angela. It is so good to be back.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19The teams are nearly set,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21so just time to introduce our esteemed judging panel.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Director of Robotics at
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Edinburgh University, Professor Sethu Vijayakumar.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Doctor Lucy Rogers.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33And Robot Wars alumni and Professor of Artificial Intelligence
0:06:33 > 0:06:38and Robotics at Sheffield University, Noel Sharkey.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42In the event of no clear winner, our judges decide on the victor -
0:06:42 > 0:06:45scoring them on damage, aggression and control.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48If a robot is deemed immobile for over ten seconds,
0:06:48 > 0:06:49they'll be ruled out of the fight.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52So there's plenty to keep our judges busy.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Remember, only two robots from the four can go through
0:06:54 > 0:06:57from this battle. The teams are in place.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Let's get started.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03From Caithness, Scotland. Kill-E-Crank-E.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Father and son, Robin and Matthew
0:07:04 > 0:07:05are here with their friends
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Isaac and Nick.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08When Robin's not working on
0:07:08 > 0:07:09Kill-E-Crank-E,
0:07:09 > 0:07:10he's working on
0:07:10 > 0:07:11nuclear power stations!
0:07:11 > 0:07:14No stranger to danger, then.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16From Reading. Nuts.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19What a mixed bunch this lot are.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Driver Rory is a cybernetics student
0:07:21 > 0:07:23alongside mini bot driver Alex.
0:07:23 > 0:07:24While Dave works in a stockroom
0:07:24 > 0:07:26for a DIY store -
0:07:26 > 0:07:28handy for spare parts, no doubt.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Chris is an engineer,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32so he must be the sensible one.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34From Bournemouth. Razer.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Mum Gillian, Dad Ian and daughter Darcie
0:07:37 > 0:07:38in this team alongside friend
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and fellow builder Simon.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41So two generations
0:07:41 > 0:07:43and a lot of expectations
0:07:43 > 0:07:45for this very, very famous robot.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49From Oxford. Terrorhurtz.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Such an experienced team.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53John Reid, who by day designs
0:07:53 > 0:07:55simulators for Formula 1 teams,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57but by night, creates and drives
0:07:57 > 0:07:58this amazing robot.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00His weapon operator Nick
0:08:00 > 0:08:02is an amateur rocket scientist.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07The house robot for Group Battle 1 is Matilda.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Armed with a pneumatic front flipper
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and a hardened steel rear flywheel.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15The house robots will only operate in their corner patrol zone, the CPZ.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17They never seek out a fight,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20but should a competitor enter their zone, they can expect no mercy.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Matilda, I have missed you.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Everyone is in their places.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Let battle commence.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Roboteers, stand by.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32The four teams in their control rooms.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Only two places in the competition available.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39ALL: Three, two, one.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Activate.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45The big question here - who can beat the mighty Razer?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Coming at bottom of your picture and taking on Kill-E-Crank-E.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Oh, out come the little cluster bots of Nuts.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54We've got mayhem here because Terrorhurtz is going after Nuts.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57The little cluster bots will come out and try and wedge in underneath
0:08:57 > 0:09:00their opponents and flip them up and over.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Terrorhurtz with a mighty axe there
0:09:02 > 0:09:05and a very experienced driver in John Reid.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10And it's Razer crushing down on Kill-E-Crank-E
0:09:10 > 0:09:13with that deadly hydraulic piercer.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Nine tonnes of pressure, three tonnes at the tip of the claw.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19You don't want to mess with Razer.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23There's the Matilda cam looking on from the CPZ.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Oh, they've activated the pit.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Down goes the pit.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Someone could be on the edge of doom very shortly.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34And it was very nearly Nuts. You can see the flailing chain.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37And there's the self-righting mechanism,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41the protective ring to keep it going which ever way it topples.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45And it spins and attacks Terrorhurtz.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Razer after the little cluster bots.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50They look mini, don't they? Against the mighty Terrorhurtz.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Very experienced team, no more experience of course than Razer
0:09:54 > 0:09:56of course in the whole competition.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58I would think Matilda's out and prowling.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00That's a ghastly sight.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03I see her in my nightmares every single night.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Kill-E-Crank-E after a little, little bitty buster bot.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10You want to drop him in the pit?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Very experienced driver, Ian Lewis of Razer.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Just saw him there and the mayhem continues at a little bit of
0:10:17 > 0:10:20a slower pace, because they've measured the fight now.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22They know what they're doing.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25And Razer has got once again Kill-E-Crank-E in its grip.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29That's been his target all the way through. Nuts is spinning...
0:10:29 > 0:10:33in a crazy fashion, but doing damage,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and it looks to me as if Kill-E-Crank-E is in trouble.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Razer has Kill-E-Crank-E...Oh, no! Look at this!
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Oh!
0:10:41 > 0:10:42The mighty have fallen!
0:10:42 > 0:10:46They took Kill-E-Crank out and went themselves.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Oh, what a close shave that was for Nuts!
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Six.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54What happened? Did it skip?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- He spun his wheels. - And look at the boys from Nuts!
0:10:57 > 0:11:00They've got more tricks up their sleeves than Derren Brown,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02they say.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04And they're stunned they're through.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08What a sensational start. I can hardly catch my breath.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Let's have a look at it again.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13There's Terrorhurtz immediately against Nuts.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It was a personal battle, but Nuts rode that one
0:11:16 > 0:11:19and got away from the mighty axe as it crashed down.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Razer has picked up one of the little cluster bots,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24virtually destroyed that.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Here they go towards the pit with prey Kill-E-Crank-E,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and they overbalanced and went in.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33And Razer sensationally out.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Oh, few surprises there.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Kill-E-Crank-E, can I come to you first?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40It hadn't been tested in battle. That was its first run out.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41You know, so you weren't...
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I presume you weren't expecting to win the whole thing with
0:11:44 > 0:11:46a brand-new robot. How do you think you fared?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I think it's very good, actually.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52The tactics were, we opened the pits and then Razer clearly had it in
0:11:52 > 0:11:55for us, so we thought, "Well, let's go for a mutual death pact
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- "and take them down with us." - Did you have any control over that?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Were you spinning your wheels?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Think you may have drawn him in in any way?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Absolutely. I mean, he clasped onto us,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08then we drove all the way across the arena into the pit.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11That wasn't clear from what we were watching there at all.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14You killed Razer? You killed Razer,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16you took yourself out of the game for the greater good.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18This is a big deal for a lot of people who are very scared of
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Razer, thought that Razer was the one thing that could defeat them.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24This may have changed the entire competition.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Do you know who's particularly happy with you? These people here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Nobody expected...
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Who went in with really the kitchen sink of a robot...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- What were you doing half the time? - It's a good question.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40There seemed to be a sort of team up between Terrorhurtz and Razer,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42so they weren't fighting amongst them.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44So we seemed to have got the Terrorhurtz end of the deal,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48which we were all right with. We were all right with axes.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52But then Razer went after one of your mini bots. Who...
0:12:52 > 0:12:54And got destroyed at one stage.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55They were sacrificial,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58so, you know, the one thing we armoured against was axes and
0:12:58 > 0:13:01it was taking blow after blow from Terrorhurtz and absolutely fine.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Well done. You're in the head-to-heads. Congratulations.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07The two big daddies.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I thought I'd be coming in here to the smell of victory, but,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Razer, what happened?- It was all going really well, wasn't it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15It looked like it was going to well.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It was you and Kill-E-Crank-E all the way...
0:13:17 > 0:13:19It was a good tussle, wasn't it?
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Absolutely, but then it just didn't quite work out.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25You are going home, you and your sausage rolls.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29It's a shame. But we have winners! Beautiful, masterclass.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Made it through.- Happy?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33No, he's miserable because it's so cold in here,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- we can't fight the axe very much or it just freezes up.- Oh, really?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So we're really limited, we have to be so careful about the axe.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42So does that affect how you work strategically in there?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44It affects our strategy very much.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Well done, Terrorhurtz, you're through to the head-to-heads.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51After each battle, the teams must return to the pits for repairs
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and there is a warm welcome for Nuts, who not only return
0:13:54 > 0:13:57in one piece, but also with a place in the next round.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Winning teams must work quickly, as they only have two hours to
0:14:01 > 0:14:04turn around their robots before the next battle.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- Brilliant.- Genuinely can't believe it, it's just amazing.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11We have a lovely scar from Razer on the orange one here,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15right there, through the base plate, straight through the robot.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22At the moment, we're not seeing any obvious damage, there seems
0:14:22 > 0:14:27to be an issue that the ring has a gearbox in to make it spin, but...
0:14:27 > 0:14:29It's very slack.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34So the rolling mechanism seems to have come loose somewhere.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37We'll have a look at it and see if we can fix it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39But the rest of it is looking good at the moment.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43For the likes of Razer, it's time to pack up and head home.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Well, you've got to live life on the edge, haven't you?
0:14:46 > 0:14:48That was a bit too close to the edge.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Sometimes you tip over, but sometimes you don't, so...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55It's kind of a good metaphor, really.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Right, sausage roll, anyone?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Nuts and Terrorhurtz go through to the head-to-heads, where they'll
0:15:02 > 0:15:06meet the two winners from the second group battle and here are the teams.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Already we're seeing how brutal the group battles are.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16We lose 50% of our robots in this way.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18So the pressure is very much on for these big group battles.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19Now, you are Behemoth.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22You were quite well known, actually, in the original series?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- Yes, quite well known. - But is it the same robot?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- We actually rebuilt a new robot. - So it's a brand-new Behemoth?
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- Now, your lift is up to... - Yes.- What can you lift?
0:15:31 > 0:15:32We've lifted a Peugeot 205.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Fantastic. There won't be a Peugeot 205 in the battle, though.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- No, that's a shame.- Grand. Listen, good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40So, Carbide, let's talk about the weapon.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42So there's a big blade on the front there,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- it spins round at 2,500 RPM. - Whoa, so it's got serious.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Basically, the typical speed is just over 200mph
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and it's got more energy than... I think it was 60 times a sniper rifle
0:15:52 > 0:15:54bullet right at the end, so... That's kind of...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57So your plan is to literally demolish everything in your wake?
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Hopefully.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Bonk, who is top at the moment,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03this is the level of last-minute preparation that has to be taken.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- Where is the top of it?- Just over there. We have to bolt that on last.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08What material are these things made of?
0:16:08 > 0:16:09Plate steel, so it's pretty hard.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- Plate steel - a tank would be made out of plate steel?- It can be, yeah.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- Digger buckets, anything really hard.- And what is your weapon?
0:16:16 > 0:16:19An axe. We've got a full pressure CO2 axe.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23OK, next we are over to The General, who are busy.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- They look a little bit... Are we stressed, boys?- Oh, no, no.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Oh, no, no! What's happening here?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33We're trying to give a bit more tread.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- We heard the arena is a bit slick, so...- OK, so we're just scoring it?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Yeah, just the edge.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42OK, I'm going to go and have a little mooch in here.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Hi, don't you worry, get in there, get stuck in,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48you've a job to do as well. OK, this is your beast, right?
0:16:48 > 0:16:5020 kilo discs, basically, spinning just under,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52let's say, 500-1000 RPM.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- Where was it built? - My design, my dad's cow shed.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58It came to fruition, basically.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Who is your worst nightmare in terms of an opponent?
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- It seems to be Carbide. - Which is unfortunate.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Yeah, we've been drawn against him. - How confident are you feeling?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- One right shot, I think we'll have him.- Boom, that's all you need.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11All you need is one. Good luck, lads.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Four more fearsome robots in the next group battle,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19but only two can remain. Over to you, Jonathan.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Thanks very much, Angela.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23The line-up for this battle certainly looks serious.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Let's meet the teams, shall we?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27From Hemel Hempstead, Behemoth.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31These three friends have been fighting robots
0:17:31 > 0:17:32for over 14 years now.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Driver Anthony is a CAD engineer - that's a Computer-Aided Design
0:17:36 > 0:17:40to you and I - alongside IT manager Kane and car engineer Kevin.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42From Stoke-on-Trent, Bonk.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47These two brothers took over their dad's engineering firm,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49which they credit for their love of engineering.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I can't imagine he thought they'd grow up to be here on Robot Wars.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56From Derby, Carbide.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Driver David designs robots for a well-known chocolate company.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Never knew robots even liked chocolate.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06David and Sam used to fight on opposite teams,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09but they've combined to create the monster that is Carbide.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13From Carmarthen, South Wales, The General.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Dad Haydn James is a cow farmer back home in Carmarthen,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21which is where son Tom built The General.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26Brother Alan likes to race rally cars when he's not fighting robots.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Joining the teams for this battle will be Shunt,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31350 kilos of axe-wielding push.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Shunt's pneumatic axe will be perforating any robot that
0:18:35 > 0:18:37strays into his corner patrol zone.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Roboteers, stand by.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Only two places up for grabs for these four machines.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47ALL: ..Two, one.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Activate.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Behemoth, the most experienced robot in the history of Robot Wars,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55with the yellow and black stripes and the scoop,
0:18:55 > 0:18:56but a very limited CO2 supply.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02And Behemoth on The General straightaway.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07And tyres in Robot Wars, no, no, no, no! Not a good idea.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09They could be under attack any moment now.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11They're trying to get away there.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Behemoth to try and take on Bonk.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Very inexperienced robot, that.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19The General team watch on...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22In goes Behemoth.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25That can self-right, you can see it there,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28the arms come out, the scoop acts as a self-righting mechanism,
0:19:28 > 0:19:33attacking The General. Carbide waiting to pick up any loose pieces.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35They activate the pit.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Who's going to go down this time?
0:19:37 > 0:19:40You are so cruel out there.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Don't go in the pit.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Don't go in the pit is a wise...
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Oh, the wheel's come off The General!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Well, what did we tell you? Don't bring wheels into the arena.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58In comes the spinning blade of Carbide.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03They say it has ten times the power of anything else seen on Robot Wars,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05and off went the tyre.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08One wheel on that wagon, my friends,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and meanwhile, Behemoth is causing carnage
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and little Bonk is flipped over
0:20:15 > 0:20:20and Carbide comes in to try and create some sort of danger there
0:20:20 > 0:20:22and moves away.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Look at that weapon.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Two of the best fighting robot designers around
0:20:27 > 0:20:29in David Moulds and Sam Smith.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32They've designed a very good machine here.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33'Cease.'
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Behemoth brooding, Carbide cautious
0:20:39 > 0:20:41but both through and brilliant.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42APPLAUSE
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Impressive start by Behemoth here, flipping The General.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Self-righted, yes, but the wheels were to go.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Look at that venomous weapon of Carbide.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02And when Bonk went into the corner and was turned,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06the armour not thick enough, the CO2 venting there.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Good work by Behemoth
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and then, of course, Carbide - impressed by him -
0:21:11 > 0:21:13came in with the coup de grace.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Boys from Bonk, the twin brothers - you're out.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- What a way to start. Carbide. - Yeah.- It worked.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- It worked.- Inconsistently in places.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Yeah, we had a problem with the weapon at the start
0:21:25 > 0:21:28where the transmitter didn't bind correctly,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- so Sam had to turn it off and turn it back on at the start.- Classic!
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Yeah, so... Yeah.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36So will it be a problem moving forward, do you think?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38It shouldn't be. We can have a look and do some tests.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Good news is, you're through to the head-to-head, so...
0:21:41 > 0:21:44You guys. So, what happened to The General?
0:21:44 > 0:21:48I think we did a lot of damage but I think when the wheel came off...
0:21:48 > 0:21:49It's quite intense in there.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It's all go. Once we got flipped it was a little bit...
0:21:52 > 0:21:54getting to grips with the controllers again.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- And then they stuck you on to cook you on the fire.- Yeah.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- That was salt in the wound, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Behemoth, that looked relatively seamless.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03You don't look like you were troubled in any way.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06No, that was quite a straightforward fight. It's quite a relief.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- And did you avoid Carbide for that entire battle?- Yes.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- You did, didn't you?- I did.- So the clash of titans hasn't happened yet.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- No.- You have to face him in a head-to-head, you know that?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16That where it's better, though, because it's one-on-one.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- OK, good luck in the head-to-heads. - Thank you very much.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Bonk, good luck with the train home. - Yeah. Cheers.- We got them back.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27You really did. At one point there was stuff emitting from your robot.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28The CO2 was escaping.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Once the CO2 is gone, you can't do anything, really. That's it.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33It's been lovely to have you here
0:22:33 > 0:22:35although it ended really early in the morning.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Good luck, lads. - OK, thanks.- Cheers.- Bye.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41The second of the group stages
0:22:41 > 0:22:42is now complete
0:22:42 > 0:22:44as the four victorious robots,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Behemoth, Nuts,
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Terrorhurtz and Carbide,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49all progress into
0:22:49 > 0:22:50the head-to-head stage.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52These one-on-one battles
0:22:52 > 0:22:54score three points for a knockout
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and in the case of no clear winner,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58it's two points for a judges' decision.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Despite appearing to be untroubled in their group battle,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Team Carbide have uncovered some serious issues
0:23:08 > 0:23:10with their weapon motor.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12when they took the top off,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16they saw that quite a bit of damage had been done to the motor,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18so they're trying to sort that out now,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22but they're only just realising what the problems are with it.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24And a couple of things have bust.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28It's critical for the weapon to run, so...it's pretty important.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32They're pretty stressed because they don't have long to sort it out
0:23:32 > 0:23:36and they might have to get replacement parts for it,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and if they can't get them, then the weapon is not going to work.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45His clutch got so hot that it destroyed the top bearing.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50With only two hours between fights to make repairs, there are definite
0:23:50 > 0:23:54advantages to being in a warehouse full of engineering geniuses.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The cables are all different lengths.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58The cable changes the axis.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02And number them. On the bolts, numbers, you see...
0:24:04 > 0:24:07So what you do, put two marks on one of them.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11But whilst tournament favourites Carbide race against time,
0:24:11 > 0:24:16their rivals and rank outsiders Nuts still can't believe their luck.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19The whole thing for us, we wanted to turn up and survive Round One,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21and then all bets are off in Round Two,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24so we're thrilled that we actually get to achieve something.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- If it gets written off in the next round, that's fine.- So be it.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30If we get to fight and we might pull off another shock victory,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- we'll be doing that too.- Yeah, but it's all fun. We came here for...
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It's such a rush. It's fantastic.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38People thought they were just a joke entry, cute-looking,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41really very harmless, but actually
0:24:41 > 0:24:43you could see that as a result of that battle
0:24:43 > 0:24:46it made a huge difference in the overall scheme of things.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Controlled chaos can result in unexpected results.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54The complex process of rebuilding is in full flow now for some teams,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56but not for all.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Got the paintwork scratched a little bit,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02but if that's the worst of our worry, that's quite a nice worry!
0:25:04 > 0:25:06The two-hour repair window is up,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08and it's time for our first head-to-head.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Terrorhurtz and Carbide make the anxious walk to the arena.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Terrorhurtz delivered a confident performance in the group battle,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19but can their power axe and bulletproof armour combo
0:25:19 > 0:25:21secure them a place in the final?
0:25:24 > 0:25:28We're Team Hurtz, we're from Oxford, and our machine is Terrorhurtz.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I'm John, I'm the team captain,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and I also have Nick Lynch on board, he's the weapons operator.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Together, we're an engineer and an amateur rocket scientist.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Terrorhurtz is all about the axe.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It's just this brutal axe on wheels.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Elegantly simple and strong and likeable.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Terrorhurtz's axe develops a tonne of force.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59It applies that in around 150ms,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02it's a bit like dropping a washing machine off the top of a house.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09Terrorhurtz's strategy is usually just get stuck in and go for it.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Carbide struggled with motor problems
0:26:14 > 0:26:17that nearly put them out of the competition from the start.
0:26:17 > 0:26:23Can such a ground-breaking robot live up to expectations?
0:26:23 > 0:26:25We're engineers from the Midlands
0:26:25 > 0:26:26and our robot is Carbide.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Our aim with Carbide was to design a robot that's so powerful,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32it's feared by everybody.
0:26:32 > 0:26:33We had three objectives -
0:26:33 > 0:26:37precision, aggression, and damage.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39We've kept everything secret.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41No-one's seen it up until now.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45So I'm behind the drive of the machine, Sam's behind the weapons,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47and Sheryl the tactician.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Me and Sam build the best spinning robots in the UK.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52We've joined forces to build something completely incredible.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Carbide's completely weapon-orientated.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57It's been designed around the 850mm-long blade
0:26:57 > 0:26:59that spins at 2,500rpm.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I've been fighting robots for 15 years,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and this one scares me.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:27:10 > 0:27:12And for this first head-to-head for three points,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Carbide and Terrorhurtz are joined by Shunt...
0:27:15 > 0:27:17THEY CHANT: Shunt! Shunt! Shunt!
0:27:17 > 0:27:20..oh! And robot royalty here,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22in the form of Sir Killalot.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I thank you.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Three, two, one...activate!
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Interesting that Terrorhurtz's captain John Reid
0:27:36 > 0:27:38was helping out Carbide...
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Oh, yes, they're all friends in there.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Out here, they want to cut, slash,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44bish, bosh, bash!
0:27:44 > 0:27:47And John Reid will want to stay in close
0:27:47 > 0:27:49so that Carbide can't get
0:27:49 > 0:27:52that huge 2,500rpm weapon
0:27:52 > 0:27:54up to full speed
0:27:54 > 0:27:57and so that it doesn't hear that going.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00But he smashes him into the side wall.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02This is terrific control here early on from Terrorhurtz.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Across the Flame Pit they go,
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Carbide at the moment being pushed around the arena.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11The pitch is activated, the weapon is working.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15They thought they had a WTP early on, a weapons transmission problem.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17It might have been a bit more serious.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21The weapon is working, but not to great effect,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23and Killalot has them there.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26It's a charbroiled Carbide at the moment.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Grilled, barbecued...out?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Is it out? The weapon is still spinning.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Terrorhurtz at the moment
0:28:33 > 0:28:36is waiting and watching to see what Sir Killalot does.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40It pushes it back on to the axe blade of Terrorhurtz.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Terrorhurtz, they've increased their armament this year
0:28:43 > 0:28:45so that they can deal with a spinner.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48They've never faced a real spinner before.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51They've done a very good job here, and they know the pit is there,
0:28:51 > 0:28:52but John Reid needs to be careful.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54He needs to be controlled in his push.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58If he gets too close, he could still go down the pit himself.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59Full power, full power.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04At full power, they need to be under control. Watch that blade!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Carbide have gone.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09- Yes!- First three points go to Terrorhurtz.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13No axe so far from Terrorhurtz.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15KLAXON
0:29:15 > 0:29:17'Cease.'
0:29:17 > 0:29:19What happened to our drive?!
0:29:19 > 0:29:21The bolt heads was catching on the Flame Pit,
0:29:21 > 0:29:22that's why we got stuck there.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Well done! Sighs of relief.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28You look a little bit stunned.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Our axe didn't even work! First hit, our axe stopped working.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Really?!- No axe.- Listen, you didn't need the axe!
0:29:34 > 0:29:35Three points for the knockout.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Carbide, surprised? You were so dominant in the group,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41then it just didn't quite go to plan.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44We added a layer of polycarb on top just for these guys with the hammer.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- Scared them! - I used to be on John's team,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50so I knew exactly what his tactics were.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Carbide, still two head-to-heads to go, so you can get points back.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:29:56 > 0:29:57So the first head-to-head means that
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Terrorhurtz smash their way to the top of the group with three points.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Carbide, dumped into the pits, are on no points,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06while Nuts and Behemoth are still to fight.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Chances are obviously a lot slimmer
0:30:08 > 0:30:11of getting through to the finals now. It was one of the machines
0:30:11 > 0:30:14that's almost optimised against this design.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17We had some really big hits. It was quite an explosive match.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22For winners Team Terrorhurtz, even victory comes at a price.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27To bend that 6mm high-strength steel,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29that's an impressive amount of energy.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32We never heard the death pop.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34When you hear that, you're in trouble.
0:30:39 > 0:30:40Fortunately, I managed to
0:30:40 > 0:30:44keep him hitting things, just kept it out of the power zone.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48When you get into that power zone it gets really scary.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Our next head-to-head is between
0:30:50 > 0:30:53the sturdy six-wheeled pusher Behemoth...
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Get the batteries out, get the gas bottle recharged,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59and then we're ready to go.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01..and the outlandish clusterbot Nuts.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Right.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Good to go.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09We're pleased we've sorted the reliability issue with them,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12and they're ready to go straight back in, so...
0:31:12 > 0:31:15As the teams make the daunting walk to the arena,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Team Behemoth know this won't be a simple fight,
0:31:17 > 0:31:22so must rely on their experience and planning to expect the unexpected.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25We're the Behemoth Boys.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28I'm the driver and the strategist of the team.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Kane, he does all our welding and pneumatics.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Kev, he's our mechanical support
0:31:33 > 0:31:35and helps us get back into the arena straight away.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Behemoth is a six-wheel-drive powerhouse with a pneumatic lifter.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44It can pretty much push any robot anywhere in the arena.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48One technical feature of Behemoth
0:31:48 > 0:31:51is the fact it runs on low pressure, with dual buffer tanks,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53and that's going to give us the edge in the arena.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56What are our weaknesses?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58I don't think Behemoth's got any, actually.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04For many, Team Nuts are the jokers in the pack,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07but there are some serious engineering brains behind it.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15I'm a student at Reading University. I do cybernetics.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Alex is also a student, he does computer science.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Dave works in a DIY store,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25and Chris is a chartered engineer.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26Our team is a democracy,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29so no-one has any idea what we're doing, pretty much.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31We wanted to build Nuts because
0:32:31 > 0:32:34we wanted to bring something more entertaining to the sport.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Nuts is a two-wheel-drive flail-spinner.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Completely crazy, don't know where it's going most of the time.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Our theory is if we don't know where it's going, the other team don't.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Nuts is a difficult robot to catch,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53so a lot of the more precise robots will have a very difficult time
0:32:53 > 0:32:55catching up with him and throwing him out.
0:32:57 > 0:32:58APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:32:58 > 0:33:00The house robots are Matilda,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03and for the very first time today, the deadly Dead Metal.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10How will Nuts deal with the pushing power of Behemoth?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Three, two, one, activate!
0:33:14 > 0:33:17We have no weaknesses, say Behemoth -
0:33:17 > 0:33:21we'll wait and see. Nuts say they don't know what they're doing.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Sounds like many students I've known in the past.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Behemoth trying to attack the clusterbots.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29They are maddening, those little things!
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Look at the flailing chain as well.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Natty clothes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Fluffy clobber.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Are they going to get clobbered in the arena?
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Up comes the spikes.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Haven't seen them really in play so far.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Whoa! Nuts managed to dodge between the spikes.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48I do not want to be there.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50No, no, no, no.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54They don't want to be there, they're absolutely right.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56They're caught in the pincers there.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58- My wheel...- Spin, Rory, spin!
0:33:58 > 0:34:00They need to spin away.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04That's just spinning and twirling and doing nothing.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06It can't affect Behemoth, surely.
0:34:06 > 0:34:13In comes that massive scooping blade of Behemoth.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Anthony Pritchard the driver, very experienced.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Took one week to build Behemoth,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22and 14 years of upgrades have gone into this.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Look at the flailing chain, though,
0:34:25 > 0:34:26the main weaponry of Nuts.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Up went the arena flipper.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30HE LAUGHS
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Did you see that? Look at this!
0:34:32 > 0:34:34"Get out of it.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35"You're an irritant."
0:34:35 > 0:34:38So... Oh, it's still going, the little clusterbot!
0:34:38 > 0:34:40They are both still going!
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Great engineering in there, then, and tenacity.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48They want to watch that tailspinner of Matilda,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50and Behemoth didn't watch out!
0:34:50 > 0:34:52They can self-right.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57They are a lumbering great 108-kilo machine.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01They will take some shifting. In comes Matilda.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04You don't want to tackle the rear end of Matilda, that's for sure.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Over goes Nuts. Let me remind you,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11they have remade themselves with that protective rig.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13This is a good contest.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Takes a battering.
0:35:15 > 0:35:16They're still in fighting, here,
0:35:16 > 0:35:18the Nuts boys have done tremendously well.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20And I tell you what, Rory and Alex and Dave and Chris,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23you have been great fun on Robot Wars.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26This is what it's all about. Look at the enjoyment.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29And they're still flailing away in there.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32You can just see Anthony peering forward.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35In goes the smash.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37Can they get away with that?
0:35:37 > 0:35:39They're on their side.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Get away from Matilda, goddammit!
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Weaponry, almost, and wheels...
0:35:46 > 0:35:48..righting them.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51And they're in there. This could go to the judges, it's so close.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Only two points, don't forget,
0:35:53 > 0:35:57if it goes to a judges' decision, not three for an outright victory.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59The little clusterbot's trying to get in!
0:35:59 > 0:36:01HE LAUGHS
0:36:01 > 0:36:02Trying to get underneath!
0:36:02 > 0:36:05And nearly disappeared out of the arena completely.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06Good hit.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09It was a good hit. They've had a few of them.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Out comes that mighty weapon.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Don't forget Behemoth can pull a Land Rover,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15it can pull 1.5 tonnes!
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Here, they say it's more dangerous than ever!
0:36:17 > 0:36:20CROWD COUNTS DOWN
0:36:20 > 0:36:24..4, 3, 2, 1.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25Judges' decision.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28KLAXON 'Cease.'
0:36:28 > 0:36:30APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:36:30 > 0:36:31That was a lot of fun.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35So now it goes to the judges - Sethu, Lucy and Noel.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38They will be marking on control, damage, and aggression.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43A fantastic fight, from both teams. That was great.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Yes, and deserved that cheer.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51It went to the judges, and the judges decide on three criteria -
0:36:51 > 0:36:53their damage, control and aggression.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59And by unanimous decision, the points for a winner goes to...
0:36:59 > 0:37:00Behemoth.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Behemoth is the winner of that bout. - Good job, guys.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04Congratulations.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07With the damage endured by the robots increasing,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10it is now becoming a game of survival,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13with teams trying to repair them in time for their next fight.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15That was a huge amount of fun.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17- We're pleased to get through it. - Definitely.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21Survived well. We nearly went flying out of the arena
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- but just managed to land in time. - Six feet in the air as well.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Still going.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27At one point I drifted into the rear of Matilda
0:37:27 > 0:37:30and that just fired me across the arena.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Luckily self-righting worked a treat.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35We've taken a bit of damage here on the side panel.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39It is catching on the chain and that's slowing the drive chain down
0:37:39 > 0:37:41which will reduce our manoeuvrability.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44This is how the table's shaping up.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Terrorhurtz is at the top with three points.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Behemoth has two,
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and Nuts and Carbide are in joint last place with nothing.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53While the teams prepare for the next battle,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55I'm here with head judge Noel Sharkey
0:37:55 > 0:37:57who's a professor of artificial intelligence and robotics
0:37:57 > 0:37:59at Sheffield University.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Noel, you were also a judge on the last series, back 12 years ago now.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Yes.- That's a geological age for things like AI.- It is.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09How much have these robots moved on?
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Generally speaking, there's been little changes.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13So the motors are much more powerful -
0:38:13 > 0:38:15smaller and more powerful.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17And there's new materials coming out.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Hardox is the one on everybody's books now.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21There's a lot of talk about Hardox.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23That's kind of a hardened steel.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Yes, it's a hardened steel,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but it's harder than titanium, and lighter.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- And also batteries are much lighter.- Yes.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Well, you've got the LiPos, which are...
0:38:31 > 0:38:34They're like lithium ion but they deliver more current more quickly.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Everything's just souped up.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38What else are we going to see in robotics outside of here?
0:38:38 > 0:38:40We're on the cusp of a robotics revolution.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42They're really coming thick and fast.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- But the big place everyone's going to see them is in pubs.- Really?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Yeah. Singapore have robots, drones,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and they completely work on their own.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53You type in what you want at the table and a little drone
0:38:53 > 0:38:56comes out with a tray on top of it and delivers your cocktail.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58But the one I like best, and it's the one I want,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00is the exoskeleton.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03So what that does is, it reads neural signals on your thighs
0:39:03 > 0:39:06so you don't have to think about operating it, you just walk.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09So instead of a wheelchair, you can walk.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10And upper-body strength, you know,
0:39:10 > 0:39:12it gives you super upper-body strength.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15So you're an old person... I really want one when I'm old
0:39:15 > 0:39:17because I want to be walking down the street
0:39:17 > 0:39:19just knocking teenagers out of my way.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21DARA LAUGHS
0:39:23 > 0:39:25With their robots prepared and ready for battle,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27our next head-to-head is a big one
0:39:27 > 0:39:31as the league leader Terrorhurtz takes on second-place Behemoth.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37Three, two, one...
0:39:37 > 0:39:38Activate!
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Behemoth said they had no weaknesses,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43but will that damage to the side panel
0:39:43 > 0:39:45actually have affected manoeuvrability?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48And don't forget Terrorhurtz - the axe wasn't working
0:39:48 > 0:39:50in the last bout.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52And John Reid will need it to work,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54and it seems to me to be inactive.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56It's not in play.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59They've used power there to shove Behemoth on to the side wall.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Dead Metal is around. You don't want to get caught in those pincers.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06In underneath goes Terrorhurtz.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Behemoth, mighty robot to lift at over 100 kilos.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12John Reid...
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Come on! Fair play? No, no, no, John, this is Robot Wars.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17We want destruction.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23We want robots to be crushed, and diced.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24And Behemoth have responded
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and have pushed Terrorhurtz onto that side wall again.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28Back towards Dead Metal.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Down comes the blade onto the polycarbonate armour.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I think the fact that Terrorhurtz's axe wasn't working
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- has cost them dearly. - CROWD CHANTS: Behemoth!
0:40:37 > 0:40:40The crowd want Terrorhurtz out.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44In the gladiatorial area, it's Behemoth the victors, I would think.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46And a wry smile from John Reid.
0:40:46 > 0:40:47'Cease.'
0:40:47 > 0:40:50APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Nice one. We need to get our axe working, don't we?
0:40:57 > 0:40:58Yeah.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02- I told you! I told you to test the axe!- Whereabouts?- Far wall.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- Next time, we test the axe. - No, I told you.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09It seems we've got a problem with the transmitter,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11that's why the axe didn't fire in the match.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Might be something easy to fix.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15We should have had a test before the fight,
0:41:15 > 0:41:17but we ran out of time.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Yeah, Dead Metal had a go at us with his big circular saw
0:41:20 > 0:41:23and he's put gashes into the bottle. Into our gas tank.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25So we store all the gas in here.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28We probably can't use that again. It's probably not safe.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33After the battle of the giants, new group leader Behemoth
0:41:33 > 0:41:37know they dodged a very heavy axe-shaped bullet in the last round.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We were very lucky there that Terrorhurtz's weapon didn't work.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43I got a bit trigger-happy firing a few times,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46but then when I kind of settled down a bit
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and realised they weren't firing their axe,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51I took my time a bit more and then was able to roll them over
0:41:51 > 0:41:54and do the final blow and push them over into Dead Metal.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Whilst the league leaders recover,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59the two teams stuck on zero points, Nuts and Carbide,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02are making their final plans and preparations.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04I think we're going to try and do
0:42:04 > 0:42:06a bit of self-preservation in this one.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09We're only going to do what's necessary.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Providing we spin up in the first place,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15going to take it relatively easy.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Our tactic against Carbide is to try and use our chains
0:42:19 > 0:42:23to disable their weapon. They're in a bad state, so we think
0:42:23 > 0:42:25if we can make them impart a lot of energy,
0:42:25 > 0:42:27wasting it on stuff like our chains,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29their spin mechanism will eat itself,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33and from there we can just have the main part and the mini-bots
0:42:33 > 0:42:35go to town, take it to the pit.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Halfway through the head-to-heads,
0:42:37 > 0:42:38it's Nuts against Carbide.
0:42:38 > 0:42:39Can Nuts' chains
0:42:39 > 0:42:42tangle their way to a victory against the vicious Carbide?
0:42:42 > 0:42:45'..one...activate!'
0:42:45 > 0:42:49Carbide is at the cutting edge. The trouble is,
0:42:49 > 0:42:51that weapon can cut themselves to pieces.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53There goes a whole load of washers.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55And already they're attacking the Nutty boys.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Oh, they've lost the protective ring!
0:43:00 > 0:43:04They've lost the protective ring, that leaves them very vulnerable.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Ooh, dear.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08Nuts, stay away from danger.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10That's it - dance the dance, walk the walk.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Talk the talk.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Stay away, stay away, boys.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Do your little self-righting flip.
0:43:16 > 0:43:17Will Carbide...?
0:43:17 > 0:43:21I thought it was going to activate the pit-release mechanism. No.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25Wants to do potentially a bit more damage.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26And goes slicing in!
0:43:26 > 0:43:28And Nuts are in trouble already.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Look at the power!
0:43:30 > 0:43:34This is one of the strongest, most venomous weapons I've ever seen.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37The little clusterbots get out of there.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40You can take too much...
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Too much damage... Oh, my goodness me!
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Down goes the pit.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50This is damage limitation, and you're not going to limit it.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52Not like that.
0:43:52 > 0:43:53Wow!
0:43:54 > 0:43:56Off comes a wheel!
0:43:58 > 0:44:00Immobilised.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02And open to...
0:44:02 > 0:44:03Oh!
0:44:03 > 0:44:05KLAXON
0:44:05 > 0:44:06He's praying for the clusterbot.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Well done, lads.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10THEY LAUGH
0:44:10 > 0:44:12Cheers for that!
0:44:12 > 0:44:16Myself and Angela were watching this battle in the other control room,
0:44:16 > 0:44:18and midway through there's an almighty crash
0:44:18 > 0:44:19against the glass we're watching,
0:44:19 > 0:44:23and this was the shard of Nuts
0:44:23 > 0:44:27that had come smashing at us at God knows what speed, right?
0:44:27 > 0:44:29And it's actually quite razor-sharp.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33Now, let's go through this. Firstly, can I return to you
0:44:33 > 0:44:36the bit of...well, what's remaining of your robot
0:44:36 > 0:44:40that came smashing through and bounced off the bulletproof glass.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43- I'm guessing that's from the flail? It doesn't look much like it!- No.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46Now, we'll come to you in a second, right?
0:44:46 > 0:44:47Firstly, what's all this,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50"Boo hoo hoo, our robot isn't working very well"?
0:44:50 > 0:44:52LAUGHTER
0:44:52 > 0:44:54- We lied a bit.- You did, didn't...
0:44:54 > 0:44:56Was that all a psych out?!
0:44:56 > 0:44:59- All that thing about, "Our engine isn't working" and...- No, no.
0:44:59 > 0:45:00That surprised us as well.
0:45:00 > 0:45:04Really? But, my God, right from the start it was kicking off.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07- Yeah, it's winded up quite nicely then.- Yeah, it did, yeah.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Oh, you're bullish now, aren't you?
0:45:09 > 0:45:12You've got one more to do against Behemoth, right?
0:45:12 > 0:45:15But you've got to presume that in the other head-to-head that
0:45:15 > 0:45:20Terrorhurtz are going to pick up a fairly easy three points
0:45:20 > 0:45:21against what's left of Nuts.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24- LAUGHTER - We didn't really think of that!
0:45:24 > 0:45:26So in some ways you've made it easier for someone else
0:45:26 > 0:45:29to get points by just decimating them.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31We've got the same drive that they've got,
0:45:31 > 0:45:35so we might end up fixing Nuts with them, get them going...
0:45:35 > 0:45:38Get Nuts repaired to fight your opponents? This is so devious!
0:45:38 > 0:45:39Yeah, put our spinner on his robot...
0:45:39 > 0:45:43The big one for the qualifier for the final has got to be you against Behemoth,
0:45:43 > 0:45:45- and that's what you're going to have to focus on.- Yeah.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48- Congratulations.- Thank you. - That was astonishing.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50Do you like jigsaw puzzles?
0:45:50 > 0:45:52LAUGHTER
0:45:52 > 0:45:53Your robot is in shards there!
0:45:53 > 0:45:55What can you pull out for this final?
0:45:55 > 0:45:57We've just got to go down there and see what remains.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59It may not look anything like it does now,
0:45:59 > 0:46:03or did to start the fight, but we'll get something in the arena.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- Are either of the cluster bots working?- No.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08I think they may be irretrievable.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Even if you were reduced to one tiny cluster bot...
0:46:11 > 0:46:14Oh, we can get something done. We can get something in the arena.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18OK, we want to see you back in for the last one in some shape or form.
0:46:18 > 0:46:20Thank you very much, Nuts, and congratulations, Carbide.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22That was awesome.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Behemoth is leading the charge on five points,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Terrorhurtz and Carbide are battling for second on three points apiece,
0:46:30 > 0:46:34and Nuts is struggling at the bottom with no wheels and no points.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36LAUGHTER
0:46:40 > 0:46:42That does not feel attached in any way,
0:46:42 > 0:46:43but, yeah, it'll be fine.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46That does not look like it did before.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50It'll be fine, it'll be fine.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54'After the brutal damage from their fight, it's a huge repair job,
0:46:54 > 0:46:57'but one that even their rivals are happy to take on.'
0:46:58 > 0:47:01'Team Carbide and Behemoth are still to fight.'
0:47:01 > 0:47:03You're next, boy!
0:47:05 > 0:47:06It's going to be a tough fight,
0:47:06 > 0:47:08we'll see what happens with their weapon.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10I know they've been having a few troubles with it.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Stop that bar from spinning up and just push them around,
0:47:13 > 0:47:15get them in the pit will probably be the best.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17- I think so, yeah. - Or set the house robot on them.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20- JONATHAN:- Can the study Behemoth withstand an assault
0:47:20 > 0:47:22from the deadly Carbide?
0:47:23 > 0:47:26AUDIENCE: Three, two, one, activate!
0:47:27 > 0:47:30The winners will go through to the heat final.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32There's the bucket against the blade.
0:47:32 > 0:47:33Oh, what a start this is!
0:47:33 > 0:47:35Behemoth flipping Carbide to one side.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39Oh! Will it sustain damage as it does that?
0:47:39 > 0:47:41Because that's a mighty powerful weapon
0:47:41 > 0:47:44and we've heard the death hum before.
0:47:44 > 0:47:45We'll we hear it again?
0:47:45 > 0:47:47Behemoth in, there goes the pit
0:47:47 > 0:47:50as they slammed into the activating mechanism.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55Look at the slice in the titanium bucket!
0:47:55 > 0:47:58What power it must take to cause that!
0:47:58 > 0:48:00Oh! Just sliced and diced it!
0:48:00 > 0:48:02And Behemoth on its side!
0:48:02 > 0:48:06And, with limited CO2, can they get upright?
0:48:06 > 0:48:08I don't think they can,
0:48:08 > 0:48:12Oh what a victory by Carbide! Into the pit they go.
0:48:12 > 0:48:13Sensational!
0:48:13 > 0:48:15Carbide through,
0:48:15 > 0:48:18Behemoth battled, bamboozled, beaten.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23Gut-wrenching power. A titanic tussle, this.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27That victory gives Carbide six points,
0:48:27 > 0:48:30the top spot and a place in tonight's final.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33Behemoth drop down to second with five points.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35Terrorhurtz in third place with three,
0:48:35 > 0:48:36and Nuts still to score.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Considering what was happening in there,
0:48:43 > 0:48:45it's not that bad, really.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47Only thing is we've got to do it all again.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48Oh, look! There we go.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53'The pits are fast becoming a Carbide casualty unit
0:48:53 > 0:48:55'as Behemoth work on their repairs.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57'Nuts have managed to make good progress, though,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00'following their destruction at the hands of the deadly spinner.'
0:49:00 > 0:49:03I did not expect to be having this conversation with you, Team Nuts.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05You were in fragments, essentially.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07How have you managed to rebuild this?
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Well, we took it apart...
0:49:09 > 0:49:11No, no, YOU didn't take it apart.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15- It had been taken apart by Carbide. - We took it apart further,
0:49:15 > 0:49:16and had a look at what was remaining.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19The motors were broken in all sorts of horrible ways.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21The other teams helped us out with that,
0:49:21 > 0:49:23we had spare parts, they put them together, it was great.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27It was a case of fixing the motors, bending everything straight and hammering it back on.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29Can you fight with this robot, though?
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Yeah, we got the flails, the chains back on. The weapon's still going.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34This all came off, these holes were created,
0:49:34 > 0:49:36the wheels are not running
0:49:36 > 0:49:38perfectly straight, it would be safe to say...
0:49:38 > 0:49:40I wouldn't shake it too hard, you know!
0:49:40 > 0:49:41It's not that solidly back on.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44I'M in danger of destroying this robot again.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46Let's see how long it lasts,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49but it may be pretty much a dead rubber easy victory for Terrorhurtz,
0:49:49 > 0:49:52but nonetheless, congratulations, well done.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56We're hoping to put up some fight but, yeah, I think I agree.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58All right! Let's go and have some fun with Nuts.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03So, here it is, over to you, Jonathan.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06Nuts go head-to-head against Terrorhurtz.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Will Terrorhurtz's mighty axe finally demolish
0:50:09 > 0:50:12the battered and bruised Nuts?
0:50:12 > 0:50:13..two, one, activate!
0:50:13 > 0:50:15A shout of encouragement for the Nuts boys.
0:50:15 > 0:50:17They'll need everything they can muster here.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19Terrorhurtz need the victory,
0:50:19 > 0:50:21they need to knock Nuts out to get the three points.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24Otherwise it'll go to head-to-head with Behemoth,
0:50:24 > 0:50:26and they lost to Behemoth.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30So they need victory in time, and that's a good push,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33but look at the control of Nuts here.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Rory Mangles on the main machine,
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Alex Shakespeare on the little mini bots,
0:50:37 > 0:50:40they're controlling three bots in there.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42Off has come the protective ring!
0:50:44 > 0:50:47HE LAUGHS
0:50:47 > 0:50:48A grim cheer,
0:50:48 > 0:50:51but the flail has caught in underneath Terrorhurtz,
0:50:51 > 0:50:56that could impede the wily old machine.
0:50:56 > 0:51:01It's not free because the protective ring of Nuts is still hanging on.
0:51:01 > 0:51:05Ooh! Doesn't want to be there! The wheels are wonky!
0:51:05 > 0:51:07They're getting a little bit melted, as well,
0:51:07 > 0:51:10on the Flame Pit from Sir Killalot.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13SIREN
0:51:13 > 0:51:15One minute.
0:51:15 > 0:51:16Well, now, this is interesting.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19If they can last then, if it goes to judges,
0:51:19 > 0:51:21I don't think Terrorhurtz,
0:51:21 > 0:51:23even if they get the decision, will go through.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29The blade is working for Terrorhurtz!
0:51:29 > 0:51:32It hasn't been at its maximum impact,
0:51:32 > 0:51:34but Nuts taking damage here now.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37What a mess!
0:51:38 > 0:51:40- One minute! Come on, Rory. - There is no dignity here.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43Trying to stay out of trouble.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46That was a good hit, good hit.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Trying to stay away from the axe of the house robot.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52Don't go in that CPZ, boys.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56Oh! From one axe, the axe of Terrorhurtz,
0:51:56 > 0:51:58straight on to the axe of Shunt!
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Through the armament - they cut back on armour to focus on weaponry.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08The wheels are wonky.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Control's going little bit, but still good.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18Down comes the flailing axe of Terrorhurtz.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23Trying to stay away from trouble,
0:52:23 > 0:52:25- KLAXON - and it goes to the judges.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Smile for John Reid. He might be grimacing soon.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30How did we survive three minutes?
0:52:32 > 0:52:34The battle being reviewed,
0:52:34 > 0:52:37and points will be given by the judges
0:52:37 > 0:52:39on damage, aggression and control.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41Here, our panel of the wise three.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Tough one to call, Nuts held him well.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49It did go to judges' decision,
0:52:49 > 0:52:52and I can tell you that it was a unanimous decision...
0:52:52 > 0:52:55AUDIENCE: Oooh...
0:52:55 > 0:52:57..in favour of...
0:52:57 > 0:52:58Terrorhurtz.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:53:00 > 0:53:02Nuts, thank you so much, it's been wonderful.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06You've added colour, they loved you and they did amazing!
0:53:08 > 0:53:10Go nuts for Nuts!
0:53:10 > 0:53:12AUDIENCE: Nuts! Nuts! Nuts! Nuts!
0:53:14 > 0:53:17Terrorhurtz clearly won on damage and aggression.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20But for me the real star of the show was Nuts,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23because its control was beautiful.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25I mean, it managed to last there for three minutes
0:53:25 > 0:53:27with a broken robot - that was astonishing.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32First and last place remain the same,
0:53:32 > 0:53:34with Carbide in the top spot on six
0:53:34 > 0:53:37and Nuts failing to get off the mark,
0:53:37 > 0:53:39but Terrorhurtz and Behemoth end
0:53:39 > 0:53:41in joint second place on five points.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45You're on the same number of points, Behemoth and Terrorhurtz,
0:53:45 > 0:53:46and in this situation -
0:53:46 > 0:53:49cos neither of you beat Nuts, this is what it comes down to, lads -
0:53:49 > 0:53:52in this situation it comes down to your head-to-head,
0:53:52 > 0:53:56and if we think back to that, the winner of that was Behemoth,
0:53:56 > 0:53:59which means the final will be Behemoth versus Carbide.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02- You get a rematch, my friend. - It does look like that.
0:54:02 > 0:54:03You get a rematch, fantastic!
0:54:05 > 0:54:06'So, we have our finalists.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10'Spinner Carbide meets six-wheeled pusher Behemoth.'
0:54:11 > 0:54:13'Behemoth started strong in the competition,
0:54:13 > 0:54:17'making short work of The General and Bonk in the group stages...'
0:54:19 > 0:54:24'..but boxed clever by staying clear of the spinning blades of Carbide.'
0:54:24 > 0:54:26- Did you avoid Carbide for that entire battle?- Yes.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28- You did, didn't you?- I did.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32'First to take on Nuts in the head-to-heads,
0:54:32 > 0:54:35'they suffered at the hands of house robot Matilda.'
0:54:38 > 0:54:42'But were back on form by crucially despatching Terrorhurtz -
0:54:42 > 0:54:44'the victory that assured their place in the final.'
0:54:47 > 0:54:50Carbide has become the robot to beat,
0:54:50 > 0:54:52but it didn't start that way.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55With engine problems, they faced an early exit.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Struggling to get their weapon up to speed...
0:55:00 > 0:55:03..they were even dumped into the pit
0:55:03 > 0:55:05by archrivals Terrorhurtz.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08But, after some hard work, we began to see Carbide's potential,
0:55:08 > 0:55:11destroying Nuts in brutal fashion.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Will their luck hold as they head into the final?
0:55:19 > 0:55:23Or will Behemoth wreak revenge and settle an old score?
0:55:34 > 0:55:36With a place in the grand final at stake,
0:55:36 > 0:55:39both teams know that they have the potential to win,
0:55:39 > 0:55:41if they can get their game plan right
0:55:41 > 0:55:44in what has become a brutal grudge match.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52It is Carbide versus Behemoth.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55The winner is guaranteed a place in the grand final.
0:55:55 > 0:55:56Who will win the rematch?
0:55:56 > 0:55:59For the last time tonight, it's over to Jonathan.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01CHEERING
0:56:03 > 0:56:07AUDIENCE: Three, two, one, activate!
0:56:08 > 0:56:11Behemoth has the experience, Carbide the power.
0:56:11 > 0:56:16Behemoth's experience tonight has been brutal against that blade.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19They need to get the bucket in and underneath straightaway
0:56:19 > 0:56:21and flip Carbide.
0:56:21 > 0:56:22I think they've been immobilised.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24No.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27But certainly all is not right in Behemoth.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30They're not moving quickly,
0:56:30 > 0:56:34and they're going to be a victim here of brutal treatment
0:56:34 > 0:56:36from that spinning blade.
0:56:36 > 0:56:4025 kilos, 850 millimetres long,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43that bar of death.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46And it's pushing Behemoth towards the pit!
0:56:46 > 0:56:47Ah! What a recovery!
0:56:47 > 0:56:51Were they just enticing them on, drawing them in?
0:56:51 > 0:56:52Little flip there from Behemoth.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54They're still alive and flipping.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56And has the Carbide blade...?
0:56:56 > 0:56:59Oh! ..run its course?! It doesn't matter!
0:57:01 > 0:57:06They've retreated and reversed into doom and gloom!
0:57:08 > 0:57:10What a turnabout.
0:57:11 > 0:57:15Seemed to withstand the battering and the blows,
0:57:15 > 0:57:18they tried to get the bucket weaponry going,
0:57:18 > 0:57:20not moving fluently,
0:57:20 > 0:57:23withstanding another slice,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26and then what on earth happened there?
0:57:28 > 0:57:31Carbide the winner, Carbide into the grand final.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35Behemoth, you've been a fantastic competitor. I can't imagine
0:57:35 > 0:57:38- it was part of the plan to drive backwards into the pit.- No.
0:57:38 > 0:57:39When I first went to hit him,
0:57:39 > 0:57:42I try to turn right but it turned left.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44OK. Well, you fought well all the way through the show.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Behemoth.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:57:48 > 0:57:51Carbide, you are through to the grand final!
0:57:51 > 0:57:52APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:57:52 > 0:57:54Thanks.
0:57:54 > 0:57:58I mean, that familiar hum when the spinner gets up to speed,
0:57:58 > 0:58:01the opponents obviously hate to hear that and usually it means trouble.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03- It's quite intimidating. Isn't it? - It is!
0:58:03 > 0:58:07But it also does the business, chunks taken out of these guys.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10Yeah, they took it well, though, until they drove down the pit.
0:58:10 > 0:58:14So, well done to Carbide, you're through to the grand final.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16That's it for tonight. From all of us here at Robot Wars, goodnight.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23APPLAUSE AND CHEERING