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.
0:00:11 > 0:00:1340 robot fighting teams...
0:00:15 > 0:00:18..competing for the ultimate prize.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22This year, there'll be lot of things that people won't expect.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Battling in the biggest...
0:00:27 > 0:00:32..toughest robot fighting arena in the world.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Each week, only the strongest will survive.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Last week, our only wooden robot learned a hard lesson in physics.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And the youngest driver in the competition
0:00:46 > 0:00:48wiped the floor with the opposition.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Who will join them this week,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55fighting to become the Robot Wars champion?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09This is Robot Wars.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13And this is the bulletproof arena where the robots come in search of
0:01:13 > 0:01:16fame, fortune and fight.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's designed to withstand even the most powerful and technologically
0:01:19 > 0:01:23advanced robots. The teams must also take on the arena hazards - the Pit,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26the Flipper, Spikes and fire.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30This is the pits and just like in Formula 1, it's where
0:01:30 > 0:01:34the teams make their final preparations before heading up to
0:01:34 > 0:01:37the arena. What happens here could ultimately decide
0:01:37 > 0:01:40whether they emerge as winners or losers.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42We're going to talk to the teams
0:01:42 > 0:01:44taking part in tonight's first group battle in a minute,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47but before that, here's a reminder of how this show works.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49We start with two group battles,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51each featuring four robots.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53The two winning robots from each
0:01:53 > 0:01:55group stage progress to the head-to-heads,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59a mini league made up of four teams.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00The top two at the end of this
0:02:00 > 0:02:03are our worthy finalists in today's show.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Battling it out in the first group are Apollo, Kan-Opener,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09PP3D and Sweeney Todd.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Often, you'll find there'll be father-and-son teams,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15there'll be teams of people who work in the same engineering company,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18for example. These three men, where did you three meet?
0:02:18 > 0:02:22We actually started on a holiday park, Pontins, as Bluecoats.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Jazz hands, please.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Excellent. Proper show business.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- You did that very well.- Thanks very much. I'm a hoofer, really(!) Yeah.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33But nonetheless, you built this and what can this do?
0:02:33 > 0:02:35This is a flipper, but because it's called Apollo,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- we're calling it a launcher. - How far can it launch something?
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Well, it can launch a 50-kilo robot at least six, seven feet.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It's not always about the size.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- No, no.- You know, it's fast as well.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49There they are - Dominique, Sean and the crew.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Right, talk me through, how do you know each other?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55We've all just started working together on a new graduate job since
0:02:55 > 0:02:58September and we heard about this and we decided to give it a go.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Now, have you got experience in it?
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Well, I didn't manage to get as much practice as I wanted to because
0:03:04 > 0:03:07the driving on this is a little bit different due to the fact it can go
0:03:07 > 0:03:09in any direction without turning.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13OK, so it goes literally backwards, forwards, side to side?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Yeah, side to side like direct crab motion.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17OK, great. Let's talk about the weapon.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- Sure, so we have two angle grinders strapped to either side.- Right.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23If we're flipped over, it doesn't matter, everything works the same.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29- Brilliant.- As well, we have the wheels, so we'll hopefully be able to crab ourselves out of trouble.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32I can't wait to see you guys waltzing around the arena.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- Good luck, Sweeney Todd! - OK, thanks.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39A lot of these teams will be family teams.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40No more than Kan-Opener,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43which is one of the father-and-son teams we have here.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45You're going to crush some robots?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47We're going to cause some damage today, yeah.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49How hard can it grip?
0:03:49 > 0:03:50About 12 tonnes on the cylinder.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52About six on the jaws.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Once they're locked, nothing can part them.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00I just want to see somebody's poor robot being picked off the teeth of
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- your robot.- There are a lot of very menacing looking machines around.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- This is quite modest.- It is, yeah.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08It's quite unassuming - folk might look at it
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and think, it doesn't look too dangerous but that's a good thing
0:04:11 > 0:04:14cos they'll maybe just underestimate it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- What's the weapon?- So we have a 31kg spinning disc on the underside
0:04:18 > 0:04:19of the robot spinning at 1,800 rpm
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- and it's only two centimetres off the arena floor.- Nice and low.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Undercutter. We're hoping to take out wheels,
0:04:26 > 0:04:27take out anything low to the ground.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29OK, so we're going straight in?
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Spin up, go straight in.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Time, then, for our Group One battle.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Our MC as ever, Jonathan Pearce.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Yes, thanks very much Dara and Angela.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Oh, yes - our Robot Wars D&A team.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47If at the end of three minutes there is no clear winner, it's up to our
0:04:47 > 0:04:51judges, Professor Sethu Vijayakumar, Dr Lucy Rogers and head judge,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Professor Noel Sharkey to decide our victor.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58ANNOUNCER: 'From Aberdeen, PP3D.'
0:04:58 > 0:05:02PP3D has the largest spinning disc in this year's competition.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04It weighs more than Matilda's.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Oh, no - she's a jealous old thing, too.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Team captain Gary Cairns owns a 3-D
0:05:08 > 0:05:10printing company and has 3-D printed
0:05:10 > 0:05:13parts on his robot - that's a Robot Wars first.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15'From Northampton, Kan-Opener.'
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Tom and Andy Kane have produced the most powerful crusher in Robot Wars'
0:05:20 > 0:05:21history here with 12 tonnes of
0:05:21 > 0:05:23pressure in those electric blue
0:05:23 > 0:05:25jaws. Their slogan is,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28"More bite than a great white".
0:05:28 > 0:05:30'From Oxford, Sweeney Todd.'
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Sweeney Todd is the lightest robot in the competition.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34The team are hoping their innovative
0:05:34 > 0:05:36wheel design will keep them out of
0:05:36 > 0:05:37trouble. This team of engineers have
0:05:37 > 0:05:39never built a combat robot before,
0:05:39 > 0:05:40but have built robot rovers
0:05:40 > 0:05:43and autonomous hovercraft.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- Good luck to them. - 'From Birmingham, Apollo.'
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Apollo boast 1,000 PSI flipper.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50That power comes at a cost, though.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52They've only a limited supply
0:05:52 > 0:05:53of gas, so they'll have to use
0:05:53 > 0:05:55those flips wisely.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56The team are affectionately known
0:05:56 > 0:05:58in the pits as the boyband
0:05:58 > 0:06:00of Robot Wars.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Along with our four competitors for this battle, the mighty Sir Killalot
0:06:04 > 0:06:06will be holding court in the arena,
0:06:06 > 0:06:07ready to dispatch any robot
0:06:07 > 0:06:09that enters the corner patrol zone
0:06:09 > 0:06:12with his 2½-tonne crushing claws.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19'Roboteers, stand by.'
0:06:19 > 0:06:21CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:06:25 > 0:06:26'Three,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29'two, one...'
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ALL: Activate!- Come on, let's have some smash and crash.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34All those robots have weaknesses.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36The Pit's release is already signalled.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Kan-Opener in with the pinchers! Apollo's in orbit!
0:06:39 > 0:06:43..but can self-right, but they only have a limited supply of CO2.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Kan-Opener worried about their high ground clearance.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Could they be flipped? Yes, they can.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51And PP3D using that undercutter,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53already up to speed and look at this -
0:06:53 > 0:06:55nuts and bolts and smithereens
0:06:55 > 0:06:57and an Apollo wheel has come off, too.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Now, that will really affect their manoeuvrability.
0:07:00 > 0:07:0312 tonnes of crushing force.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Mate, I can't drive, I've lost drive.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08They've... Oh, they can't drive.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11They've lost steering.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13They've lost manoeuvrability.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16PP3D in trouble.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Kan-Opener has them in their grip.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Driven by two 750-watt motors.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Got go-kart racing tyres.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Yeah, nice one.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27This is a real contest, this is great stuff.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29This is what we want.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Trying to get that spinner up to spin, oh, onto the floor flipper!
0:07:34 > 0:07:36And another one, the flipper's seen some real action -
0:07:36 > 0:07:40you're supposed to stay clear of that, boys.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Sweeney Todd has largely stayed out of trouble,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- but done absolutely nothing.- Dead.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Dead?- I think so.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Really? Kan-Opener,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54"more bite than a great white".
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Or is it small fry?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Sweeney Todd just about alive.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I am just sliding everywhere.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06PP3D now closing in on Sweeney Todd
0:08:06 > 0:08:11and really causing damage there on the side of Sweeney Todd.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13They want it down in the Pit!
0:08:13 > 0:08:15They are ghoulish.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18And there you can see the way the spinning disc works on top,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20it tends to bang into the floor,
0:08:20 > 0:08:25which is a worry for the PP3D team if they go through.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26I'm sure they will.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Kan-Opener has stopped.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Immobilised.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Kan-Opener is out. Who will survive now?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Who can walk the walk? - LAUGHTER
0:08:37 > 0:08:39That's great staff.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Balletics from the Apollo boys.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Almost...space flipping.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49And there a flip on the underside of PP3D.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Do you want it?
0:08:53 > 0:08:55You want it, you're going to get it.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Apollo, great fun.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00KLAXON
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- 'Cease.'- Applause all round, they deserve it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Great contest, this.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Went to flip, Apollo flew.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15We have takeoff.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Little bit of damage. More sustained.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19But look at the power of the flipper
0:09:19 > 0:09:22launching Sweeney Todd.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I wonder if that caused irreparable damage to Sweeney Todd?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27And Kan-Opener lifted like a leaf!
0:09:27 > 0:09:28PP3D!
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Nicely done!
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Thanks, Maria. Thanks very much.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- They're into it.- Yeah.- I mean, the aggression was certainly there.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- You enjoyed it?- I loved that, that was brilliant.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39- Yeah?- So much fun.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44So much fun. What's amazing is when you spend weeks and months building
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- these things, and it works. - It works beautifully.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It works, so, yeah.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Wonderfully done. Right, get ready for the next! Dudes...
0:09:52 > 0:09:56I was really looking forward to, you know, seeing yous waltzing around.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Yeah. It was...- A bit under pressure from the start.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It was, and it was a bit disappointing, but, you know,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- we came here for fun...- We've loved having you here, Sweeney Todd.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Oh, you're too kind.- And well done to you guys, PP3D.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Through to the head-to-heads!
0:10:12 > 0:10:16There were two points there where you had PP3D in your teeth.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Why didn't you crush it? - We gave him a little nip,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- but it's his first round...- You've got 12 tonnes of closing force!
0:10:22 > 0:10:25It's not a little nip! Why didn't you just...?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27It went totally around the robot.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Really?- Yes, so the jaws closed.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- So why did you stop in the end? Jaws broken?- Yeah, it was to do with the flip from Apollo,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36they took out the removable link which basically turns the whole power off.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38It was a pleasure to have you here.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Kan-Opener, ladies and gentlemen. - Thanks very much.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43And now Apollo, you got through!
0:10:43 > 0:10:44Good news, boys!
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Sorry for the flip!- Yeah.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Yeah, there was a flip. But there was also a large period
0:10:49 > 0:10:52in that fight where you could only turn left.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Well, literally, the wheels came off.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- PP3D?- Yeah, I think PP.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59PP3D, yeah, he did that wheel, didn't he?
0:10:59 > 0:11:02But, listen, you're through, which is the main thing.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Into the next head-to-head.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Apollo, give them a round of applause!
0:11:09 > 0:11:13So, success for Apollo and PP3D, who go through to the head-to-heads.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Teams only have two hours to repair their robots
0:11:15 > 0:11:18before their next fight.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21In the last wars, that's all that was left. So we're just trying
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- to get it back in now.- Basically,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26the side of the robot's actually bent in,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29so we can't actually get the wheel in,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31because it's bent the whole axel as well,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34so a lot of hammering at the moment, to be honest.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37If we can't make these repairs, we won't be able to go into the next
0:11:37 > 0:11:40fight, because we'll only have one wheel driving.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44But there are no such troubles for fellow victors, PP3D.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47In terms of damage, there's a wee bit scuffed off the tooth here.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50This is wear plates, it's a really hard steel wear plate.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52You can see it's started to get blunt at the edges there,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54so I think when we're upside down,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57the disc was hitting the floor quite a lot,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59so we think it's just the impact of steel on steel,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01just worn it down slightly.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03But we've got plenty of depth left in the tooth,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05so it won't be a problem for the next battle,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08we'll still be able to rip the other robots apart.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11Hoping to join them by winning in
0:12:11 > 0:12:14the next Group Battle are Eruption,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Sabretooth, Storm 2
0:12:16 > 0:12:17and Terror Turtle.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Team Terror Turtle, hello!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25How're you doing? I like all the green.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27It's very ecological-looking.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I do love a man in uniform, yes!
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Talk me through this beautiful little man.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I think he must be the most lovely robot in the place.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- He is.- And let's hope his looks don't get ruined during the event.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Is that likely to happen? This feels like fibreglass, right?
0:12:42 > 0:12:43It is fibreglass,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46but fibreglass is quite strong and the important point is at the front
0:12:46 > 0:12:51here, there is a big spinning disc and that's the part that's going to
0:12:51 > 0:12:53touch the opponent before the opponent touches the fibreglass.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- What about this little dude over here?- This is the hatchling.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- The clusterbot?- Yes. - And some people use them a kind of
0:12:59 > 0:13:02for show, a bit of distraction, but this is going to get in?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Yes, hopefully, fingers crossed.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06You don't sound that confident about that!
0:13:06 > 0:13:08No, we are. We're very confident.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Am I right in saying that this is the most expensive robot that we
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- have?- It probably is - if I had to write a cheque to build a new one,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15this would probably cost the most,
0:13:15 > 0:13:16- yeah.- How much? - Probably about £20,000.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Really?- Yes.- OK. And what do you get for your £20,000 in the robot?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Hopefully, beyond Round One.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- But what's its secret power? What can Storm 2 do that the other robots can't do here?- Top secret.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28No, come on! You're about to go out there, right?
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- I'm looking at this thing, which seems to be not connected to Storm 2.- No, it's because we have...
0:13:33 > 0:13:36We've got three different modular weapons, you see,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and we can then pick our weapon depending on who we're fighting
0:13:39 > 0:13:40and what we... We know who we've got
0:13:40 > 0:13:44in our first round and that's not our best one for that fight,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46so that's why we're going for this one over here.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48I'm here with the team who built Sabretooth.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50So how does it work?
0:13:50 > 0:13:53It's spins like this.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Yeah. How fast are we talking?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- 3,000 rpm. - That's pretty fast, right?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Yeah.- And what about this guy?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02That grabs and pulls.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04When we were trying to fix it, it broke!
0:14:04 > 0:14:06(So there's a little weakness?)
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Don't tell anyone. We can't self-right.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10And how's that's going to affect
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- your tactics? Cos it's pretty fierce out there.- I know.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15We've got some big flippers,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19so what we need to do is wind the drum up full pelt and just drive
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- into them.- You're one of our father-and-son teams, aren't you,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- that we have so much of?- Yeah.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26And you've been doing this for how long?
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Since 2004, when I was just six years old.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30So, what can Eruption do?
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Well, it's got a very powerful flipper.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- Right.- But we've also added this grabber.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39The robot comes up, the grabber will fire, hold the other robot,
0:14:39 > 0:14:40we've got hold of it then,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44so we can put it where we want and throw it out.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46The moment of truth has arrived,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50as our four teams head up to fight for their place in the next round.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Over to you, Jonathan.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Thanks very much. Let's meet the next team to grip and grapple,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Robot Wars style.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01'From Suffolk, Storm 2.'
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Ed is team captain, supported by
0:15:03 > 0:15:05team-mates, husband and wife,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Meryl and Tim. The Storm 2 team run
0:15:07 > 0:15:10a live telemetry system to tell them
0:15:10 > 0:15:12in real time the status of their robot.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15'From Lewes, Sussex, Terror Turtle.'
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Captain John Frizell was head of Greenpeace for six years in the '80s
0:15:18 > 0:15:19and his love for animals and robots
0:15:19 > 0:15:21inspired him to build
0:15:21 > 0:15:22a robotic Terror Turtle
0:15:22 > 0:15:24made from almost 100% recycled
0:15:24 > 0:15:26materials, including old car tyres,
0:15:26 > 0:15:28a wheelchair and reclaimed plywood
0:15:28 > 0:15:31with a fire pit. Are you sure?!
0:15:31 > 0:15:33'From Lymm, Cheshire. Eruption.'
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Team captain Michael Oates has been driving robots since he was six.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38He's one of the youngest team
0:15:38 > 0:15:40captains in the competition,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42they say he's one of the best drivers, too,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44because they've won many amateur UK Championships.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Eruption's sacrificial red panels
0:15:46 > 0:15:48on the front of the robot
0:15:48 > 0:15:50are designed to absorb hits from spinners.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53'From Guildford, Sabretooth.'
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Sabretooth boasts three weapons -
0:15:54 > 0:15:56a group, a flipper and a spinning disc.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58They might need all of those
0:15:58 > 0:16:00weapons, because they've not tested
0:16:00 > 0:16:02the robot yet - this battle will be
0:16:02 > 0:16:03its first-ever outing.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Those the four mean-looking machines.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Joining them in the arena
0:16:07 > 0:16:08will be the Mighty Matilda,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10300 kilos of feminine charm -
0:16:10 > 0:16:12a killing machine.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18'Roboteers, stand by.'
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Three,
0:16:26 > 0:16:27two,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30one - activate!
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Here we go, Eruption explosive,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Sabretooth the real tiger, Storm 2, whirlwind force.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Terror Turtle? Hmm, we'll wait and see.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Sabretooth on the attack then backing away, but of course,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44we know they can't self-right - that'll come into play,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Terror Turtle being nudged early on.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47There's an attack from Eruption...
0:16:47 > 0:16:49A potent machine here!
0:16:49 > 0:16:51And flipping Sabretooth immediately -
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Sabretooth 106 kilos just flipped through the air,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59Storm 2 with those fork flippers getting in underneath Terror Turtle.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Don't forget, Terror Turtle made of fibreglass on a wooden frame
0:17:03 > 0:17:07underneath that. They think that will help...
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Whoa! ..cushion the blows?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13But there the blows are for Sabretooth...
0:17:14 > 0:17:18..turned on its top and it can't self-right.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22The little Terror Turtle hatchling is in play.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Meanwhile, they chase there after the senior Turtle,
0:17:28 > 0:17:29which has been turned...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Get the little one out!
0:17:32 > 0:17:36The little one is in trouble though, they want it out of the arena.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39It seems to be immobilised anyway.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Terror Turtle can't get its weaponry up to any sort of spinning.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Very impressed here with Eruption
0:17:45 > 0:17:47and that powerful flipper.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50They say it's the most powerful in the country!
0:17:50 > 0:17:51Out of the arena!
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Out go Terror Turtle!
0:17:56 > 0:17:58What a lift!
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Really good job.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Really good job, mate.- Look at this.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06That is 86 kilos being nudged to the side.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09That is a powerful flip from Eruption.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14We've already seen the power then, but way out of the arena.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19That is the biggest blow we've seen struck so far.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Let's visit the winners' enclosure.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24These two teams, Eruption and Storm 2.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Congratulations to both of you.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28We'll all remember the moment where you picked up a Turtle and
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- flung him over a wall. - Yeah, that was a highlight!
0:18:31 > 0:18:32That was quite beautiful, actually.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Yeah. Our aim is always to throw them out of the arena,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37so we're really happy that we got to do that.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39That's always the prize moment.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41We could talk for longer, but you basically ran around a lot
0:18:41 > 0:18:44and let them do most of the damage. That's all I'm going to say!
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- We chased the Turtle!- You softened up the Turtle, then?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- We roasted the big Turtle. - You roasted the big one for a little while, yeah.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53You set fire to an inflammable thing.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56You both go through, congratulations to Eruption and Storm 2.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58We'll see you in the head-to-heads.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Thank you.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04From the winners' enclosure to the...runners-up?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Very close, very close.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09What happened? You didn't get off the mark at all.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Well...
0:19:11 > 0:19:15We're up against astonishingly, incredibly, sophisticated robots.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17I'd no idea the sort of machines that would be here.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- But we did pretty well.- Pretty well. - We struck sparks off them.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21- Yeah.- Upside-down, kept going...
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Sorry to lose you. Sabretooth...
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Oh!
0:19:25 > 0:19:28That self-right was always potentially a chink in the armour.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- It was.- And unfortunately, it kicked in earlier than...
0:19:31 > 0:19:33We were giving Eruption a good fight,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and I was really pleased that we got flipped and we came back again
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and we carried on, but, eventually,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41it was only a matter of time before we went over.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Please give it up for Sabretooth and Terror Turtle.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Thank you.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52So Eruption and Storm 2 head back to the pits, nearly intact.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56We've got a bit of damage, but nothing that we can't repair and we
0:19:56 > 0:19:59got both robots out fairly quickly, so that's what we were hoping for.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02It is nice to get through the first heat, though.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06We've got three more fights to do now, so we're a lot happier.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Not just the most expensive,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10but also the most complex robot in the competition,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Storm 2 have caught the eye of judge Sethu.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Tell me a little bit more about your telemetry system.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20We've got a system that provides feedback to Tim the driver,
0:20:20 > 0:20:21real time, during the fight.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23We've got temperature sensors on the motors,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25we've got current sensors and voltage sensors.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27What it means is that while Tim's driving,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31I can keep my eye on that data and we can make decisions based on what the robot's doing.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I think you are one of the few teams who are actually using
0:20:34 > 0:20:37live data to change strategy.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38- Yes.- That's great.- So we now have
0:20:38 > 0:20:40our four robots through to
0:20:40 > 0:20:42the head-to-head stage -
0:20:42 > 0:20:43Eruption, PP3D,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Storm 2 and Apollo.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Our first head-to-head
0:20:47 > 0:20:49is between Apollo and PP3D.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51But the boys from the holiday camp
0:20:51 > 0:20:54are very wary after the devastating
0:20:54 > 0:20:56damage caused to Apollo when they first met.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It was only a wheel that was broken, but to get the wheel out,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03everything has had to be stripped,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05so it's taken quite a while to get it going.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07But finally...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It's working. And hopefully we don't
0:21:09 > 0:21:11take another knock in the same place.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13So this time, we're going full-on, head-on,
0:21:13 > 0:21:18straight into the robot instead of attacking another robot and letting spinners hit us from behind.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20We've just got to make sure that
0:21:20 > 0:21:23PP3D doesn't come back into our wheel again.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Having done it once, PP3D know
0:21:25 > 0:21:28exactly how to take out the huge flipper.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30We're going to try and go for the fuse again, because on Apollo,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32they're right down low at the back.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Our disc is only 2cm off the ground,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37so if we can go round the back again, and take out a wheel,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39they'll struggle to move around the arena
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and we can just take control of the match from there.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46They call them at the Robot Wars boyband.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48But are they just a one-hit wonder?
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I'm Dave, I'm the team captain of Team Apollo.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I'll be joined by my friends Marc and Ben.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Me, Marc and Ben used to work
0:21:57 > 0:21:58together at holiday parks
0:21:58 > 0:22:01as Bluecoat entertainers.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03I'll be in charge, I'm driving the robot.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06The other two will be coming up with the tactics.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08They're more logical thinkers.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I can be quite reserved in my approach,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13whereas Ben and Marc are quite aggressive and will be the ones
0:22:13 > 0:22:15telling me in my ear to keep going and attacking.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18The flipper can flip around about a tonne.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Where the robots weigh just over 100 kilos,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24we should be launching them about six foot in the air.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Our working as entertainers is a great way to put on a good show,
0:22:28 > 0:22:30which is what we're mainly about,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33as well as being an aggressive team who are there to put on a good show
0:22:33 > 0:22:34for the public as well.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41PP3D have made short work of the competition so far.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45But have they got the robot to defeat all robots?
0:22:45 > 0:22:46We are team PP3D,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48based in Aberdeenshire.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I'm Gary Cairns, I'm the team captain for the team.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52With me I've got Jamie McHarg.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55He's been assisting me with the manufacture of the robot.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00And Sarah Dennis, who is our aesthetics consultant.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03I'm a director of a 3-D printing company,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Jamie is a gas engineer
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and Sarah works in a dog kennel.
0:23:09 > 0:23:10So in our machine,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14one of the special features that we've got is a lot of 3-D printing parts.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18The advantage of that is that you're able to design and actually hold
0:23:18 > 0:23:21parts in your hand in what can be as short as an hour or two.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25We definitely have one of the most powerful spinners in the world,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28so let's unleash that energy in the arena.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Let's get this party started.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31Over to you, Jonathan.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Thanks very much, Angela.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Policing this battle, Sir Killalot.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37But for the first time tonight,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39robots will be pushed and shoved
0:23:39 > 0:23:41by the power of Shunt.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45ANNOUNCER: 'Three,'
0:23:45 > 0:23:47ALL: ..two, one,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49activate!
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Tactics clear here, then.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55PP3D will target that back left wheel of Apollo.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58That wheel damaged in the Group Battle,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01but Apollo will target the front
0:24:01 > 0:24:05of PP3D and simply try and flip it out of
0:24:05 > 0:24:07the arena, or down into the Pit.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10You can see that they're trying to get in underneath the blade,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13so to bend at the blade and we wonder whether
0:24:13 > 0:24:16that cutter blade's killing power's been diminished.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Oh, its wheel's gone. - The wheel has gone completely,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21or the tyre, I should say.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Well, that's really dangerous.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Really dangerous(!) Never mind, carry on!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30It's PP3D spinning away.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Now, which is the most mobile robot?
0:24:36 > 0:24:38HE LAUGHS
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Oh, she's up to speed now, boys!
0:24:40 > 0:24:43They're up to speed with the killing blade.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Don't back into it!
0:24:46 > 0:24:4820 kilojoules of energy
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and it's...flipped!
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And that has caused major damage, sparks fly.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56They're out! I think that's killed them!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59What a turn-up here.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Apollo seem to be in all sorts of trouble.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06But they've finished PP3D off with great style,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09control and driving skills.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12That's brilliant manoeuvrability,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15from a position of peril, but they knew what they needed to do.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Get in underneath and flip!
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Off went the tyre...
0:25:20 > 0:25:22There's the big lift!
0:25:22 > 0:25:26That's when the control power came out and that was the end.
0:25:26 > 0:25:32Battle over. And PP3D retreat to the pit to assess the damage.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34We lost the wheel early on and at that point,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36we were just the hockey puck in the arena.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39It looks as though the hub's deformed slightly
0:25:39 > 0:25:41and allowed the wheel to jump.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43In terms of actual damage, there's none,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45from what I can see.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50PP3D even used infrared cameras to help with their repairs.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53The colours basically show the temperature of what we're looking
0:25:53 > 0:25:56at on the robot. So you can see here where it's bright red,
0:25:56 > 0:25:57where it's a lot hotter
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and it looks as though the top panel has depressed slightly
0:26:00 > 0:26:04and has actually been rubbing on the weapon shaft, hence why
0:26:04 > 0:26:06you can see the hot patch.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11It's only about 28 Celsius, so it's not horrendously hot.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Luckily for them, Apollo only sustained minor battle damage.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18The chain itself has just come off those wheels.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21The wheel's not actually connected to the motor,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24so we just need to pop the chain back on it,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27possibly make it a little bit tighter, so it doesn't come off,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30and that's it. Charge the batteries, fill the gas bottle,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32ready for the next fight. Bring it on.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34With a knockout win,
0:26:34 > 0:26:35it's three points to Apollo,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38leaving PP3D on zero.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Next up in the head-to-heads
0:26:40 > 0:26:42it's Eruption versus Storm 2.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Father and son team Eruption
0:26:45 > 0:26:48are working hard on maintaining their winning streak.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52So while Storm 2 may be the most technically advanced robot in
0:26:52 > 0:26:56the competition, when faced with brute force, will it be enough?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59We're Team Storm from Ipswich.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01My name is Ed. I'm team captain of Team Storm.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Tim looks after the driving.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04Meryl looks after team morale
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and she helps with all the artwork and making sure the robot
0:27:07 > 0:27:09looks ready and pristine to go in the arena.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I'm IT consultant. I work for a software company.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Tim works for a telecommunications company. Meryl also works for the
0:27:15 > 0:27:18same company. She works as a project manager.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19We're not engineers, so there aren't
0:27:19 > 0:27:22huge numbers of skills we can transfer over.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25So, what we have done is try to bring the skills we DO have,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27which is around project management,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29how you get things done and how you build a plan to achieve things.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32We all work together as one big, happy family
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and we get on incredibly well. We complement each other well.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I can be impulsive, Tim can be level-headed,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40so the balance is really good.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43We're confident we're going to do well.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46At 17, Michael's one of our youngest drivers and has impressed
0:27:46 > 0:27:50everyone so far, but can he finish the job?
0:27:52 > 0:27:58I'm Michael from Warrington in Cheshire. My robot is Eruption.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I might only be 17 years old, but I've been doing this for over ten
0:28:01 > 0:28:05years and if anyone underestimates me then they're going to be in for a shock.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07My role in the team is driver and designer of the robot,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and my dad is head robot builder.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13We work quite well as a team most of the time.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14We have our disagreements,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16but when we get on and do it together
0:28:16 > 0:28:18we normally get some great results.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21So, who's in charge of Team Eruption?
0:28:21 > 0:28:22That's probably me.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28So, with both teams really needing the full three points,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30it's over to Jonathan.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Storm 2, the most expensive robot in the competition
0:28:33 > 0:28:38at over £25,000, driving on to Eruption.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Storm 2, the quicker of the robots,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43but caught by Sir Killalot on to the Flame Pit.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46They don't want to test the lithium polymer battery there.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47The heat getting it away.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Eruption tries to flip.
0:28:50 > 0:28:57Storm 2 has the four flipper bars that can flip in 0.3 seconds.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01So swift, can be the deadly killer blow.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03They're in underneath Eruption now.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07That's 109kg of robot they're shoving around.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11They can flip Storm 2 ten foot in the air if they get a chance.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15Michael Oates, the young driver, just 17 years of age.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19He's been a Robot Wars devotee since he was two.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21But he needs to do something now and he does!
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Eruption, flip, flop, fly!
0:29:24 > 0:29:27ALARM WAILS
0:29:27 > 0:29:29And thrilling us all by self-righting.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Look at this.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Boing! Up it comes again.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36That's brilliant stuff.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39And on to the tyre and that releases the pit.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40That was the alarm you could hear.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Pit, pit, pit.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45CROWD CHANTS AND CHEERS
0:29:47 > 0:29:48This is a really good contest.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Oh, that's dangerous. Into Sir Killalot's pincers.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54You really didn't want to do. That get away from there.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Sir Killalot, not the most mobile.
0:29:56 > 0:29:57Not the prettiest.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Don't tell him I said.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Eruption away now from Storm 2.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Trying to get in underneath again.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Eruption know they need to work on their flipper accuracy.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10And they...
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Oh, just left themselves open there to a potential flip by
0:30:13 > 0:30:17Storm 2, who are worried that their motors might overheat.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19That was a problem when they tested the robot.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22Ooh. Over it goes.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27That's a tremendous feat pulled off by Eruption.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31Explosive power of Eruption.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Can they do it again? Nearly caught Storm 2 side on.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Storm 2 with enough power to pull a minibus loaded with schoolchildren.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43And you can see the power and they've got Eruption wedged
0:30:43 > 0:30:45between a rock and a hard place.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48Riding piggyback on Storm 2.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Come for another drive now.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53AUDIENCE COUNTS DOWN
0:30:53 > 0:30:56They're counting down, the audience.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58The judges will have hard work to separate these.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00KLAXON SOUNDS
0:31:02 > 0:31:05That's the closest contest we've had so far.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Not a lot of action out of Storm 2 late on.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12The judges will mark on style, damage and aggression.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Good aggression from Eruption.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Storm 2 flung through the air, but then getting in underneath.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21That's a controlled drive.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Judges will mark them highly on that, but not on this,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26flipped once again by Eruption.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Let's talk to you guys first. Were you happy?
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Really happy. Start of the fight was going really well.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33We got underneath them all the time.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Our scoop is precision milled to be on the floor in here.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38My aim was to try and get them towards one of the house
0:31:38 > 0:31:39robot corners and try and flip them.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42But most of the time, had them on top and just rowed them
0:31:42 > 0:31:44into a corner and it was to a house robot when I got there, so...
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- It was strategic.- From no flipping, but tactically...- Strategic.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49..to lots of flipping.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52If I was judging it, I'd have said they had it for two minutes.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53It was close, but I'd have given it to them.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56But then, the last minute we came back with a good few flips.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58- So I think it'll be... - And aggression, as well.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Aggression, yeah. It's going to be really difficult.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Like you said, it's going to be really close.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07I have the result. The team that scored two points and the win...
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- ..is Storm 2.- Yes!
0:32:10 > 0:32:13APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:32:13 > 0:32:15There was a split decision from the judges
0:32:15 > 0:32:18and that was a battle that was hard to call.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Till about 20 seconds to go, Storm 2 was leading comfortably
0:32:22 > 0:32:27and then, last minute, there was some action from Eruption's flippers.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29I think that made a huge difference,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32but in the end, we feel the right team won.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34It wasn't even until Storm stopped at the end.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37It was immobile at the end of the fight and we thought that might
0:32:37 > 0:32:39swing it for us, but clearly not.
0:32:39 > 0:32:40A bit too close to the end, I think.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43If we got another flip in, I think we might have had it.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47That was a really tight decision, wasn't it? I didn't know which it was going to go.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- They came back strongly at us, but I'm relieved I guess.- Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I wouldn't have wanted to have called that cos that was quite close.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54It really was close at the end there.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Following the judges' decision.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Apollo are on three points.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Storm 2 are on two and Eruption
0:33:00 > 0:33:03and PP3D are level on no points.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Time now for the next head-to-head
0:33:05 > 0:33:07and it's a big one.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Top of the table
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Apollo verses Storm 2.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15In the last fight, one of the switches had come off one of the valves.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18So, in theory, the flipper was only firing at half power in the last
0:33:18 > 0:33:20fight, as well as being cold.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23So it's probably running around quarter of its main power.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25Which is good because if we...
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Basically, if we flip anybody, it'll be the best we've ever seen.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31But I don't know if we can get under Storm 2.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33That's going to be the challenge.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36We're going to go in exactly the same configuration that we went in
0:33:36 > 0:33:39for our last fight because that was also against the flipper.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41We're going to use... We've got multiple weapons.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45We're going to stick with this front-firing flipper and self-righter.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Because it's so important with Storm 2 to keep the front
0:33:47 > 0:33:50of the robot flush to the ground and if Apollo turn us over,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52it means we've got no way of getting back underneath him again.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56So with both teams really needing the full three points,
0:33:56 > 0:33:57it's over to Jonathan.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02The house robots for the third head-to-head of this heat -
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Matilda and, for the first time tonight,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06it's the metal terror himself, Dead Metal,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10with the 1.4 metre wide pincer and 450 millimetre circular saw.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Deadly by name, deadly by nature.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:34:19 > 0:34:22ANNOUNCER: 'Three, two...
0:34:22 > 0:34:23'one...
0:34:23 > 0:34:25'Activate.'
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Storm 2 will try and get this over and done with
0:34:27 > 0:34:28as quick as they can.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Apollo, we know, has sustained damage
0:34:31 > 0:34:34throughout this heat of one kind or another.
0:34:34 > 0:34:40Storm 2 with the FFF for front, floor, flipper.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Worrying, then, as to why they should say if Apollo flipped
0:34:43 > 0:34:46they'd be in trouble and they can self-right
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and then the floor flipper.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Really strong throw through the air.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Storm 2, good manoeuvrability.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57Yes, they're being pushed by Apollo
0:34:57 > 0:35:02but they're also dodging away and self-righting there and again.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05So, that sort of diminished the power of the Apollo flip.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Not bad, though. Goodness me.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11But immediately self-righting and then flipping Apollo.
0:35:11 > 0:35:12That's good work by Storm 2.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16You know what, I think I might have lost the chain again.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Ooh, I think Apollo are in trouble here.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- ALARM WAILS - I think the chain's gone again.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23The pit released and they're in trouble here.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26In the pit, in the pit.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Apollo drives into the CP.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31JONATHAN LAUGHS
0:35:32 > 0:35:35How dare you!
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Dead Metal venting its spleen and steam.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43And why not? Goodness me!
0:35:43 > 0:35:46HE LAUGHS
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Matilda broods.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Matilda, you're not allowed to come out and look for revenge.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52No, no, no, no, no.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Matilda coming in for the kiss of life.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Now Apollo flips Storm 2 and goes to flip again.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Matilda, what is she doing?
0:36:05 > 0:36:06Oh, dear.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Matilda nudging her team-mate back into life back into life,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10it would seem or maybe towards the pit.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Surely not cannibalistic house robots.
0:36:13 > 0:36:20Apollo, meanwhile, has to stay away from any damage Storm 2 can cause.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23And pushed on to Matilda. Were they going to flip Matilda?
0:36:23 > 0:36:27I think they were. I think they got too confident there.
0:36:27 > 0:36:28Oh, they've done it!
0:36:29 > 0:36:32A KO blow for the second time.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34They've taken just about everyone out!
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I've never, ever seen it before!
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Oh, goodness me and Apollo...
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Flipper's broken.- ..too confident by half. Nearly went in the pit!
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Storm 2, canny.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47They played possum.
0:36:47 > 0:36:48They played dead.
0:36:48 > 0:36:55But look at this, suddenly it's Apollo show boating in trouble.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Houston, we have a problem with Apollo.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05Storm 2 is being encouraged by the crowd to get them in the pit and
0:37:05 > 0:37:07they're going in the pit!
0:37:07 > 0:37:08Ooh, no!
0:37:08 > 0:37:10We nearly saw...
0:37:10 > 0:37:12This is a Robot Wars classic.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15An absolute belter.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19- 'Cease.'- Cease called. Oh, that was memorable!
0:37:19 > 0:37:22It'll go to the judges and if Apollo get it, they're through.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Wow, that was an epic fight.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Not content with taking on one opponent,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30you destroyed two house robots in the process.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- Yeah, sorry about that. - Just for kicks?
0:37:32 > 0:37:34We were defending ourselves.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- We were in the corner. We could see Matilda's discs.- You weren't not!
0:37:37 > 0:37:40You went in and literally turfed Dead Metal upside down.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Well, the flipper was working on full power for the first time.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45We wanted to show the audience what it can do.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Well, listen. I think they get it. Do you get it?
0:37:48 > 0:37:49AUDIENCE CHEER
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Storm 2, are you happy with how the fight went?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55It was a good fight. We were getting underneath them at the start.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Then they managed to get a good flip on us.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59It was all over the place. A couple of times nearly in the pit.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- It was so close.- I mean, what a fight for us. Thank you, guys.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Brilliant. - It was a judges' decision.- OK.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09I can tell you that it was a unanimous decision.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13And the win and the two points go to...
0:38:15 > 0:38:17- ..Apollo.- Yes!
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- APPLAUSE - Well done, guys.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Well done to Apollo. That's two points and two dead house robots.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Sorry.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27This was a unanimous decision.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Apollo won quite clearly.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30It did all the flipping.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33It was the most aggressive robot in there.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37There wasn't a lot of damage, but its control was superb.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40I thought one of the most incredible things with that fight was the way
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Apollo turned on the house robots.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Didn't need to. It wasn't going to get it any extra points,
0:38:45 > 0:38:46but flipping two bots like,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49that never seen anything like that before.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50Fantastic.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53So after the
0:38:53 > 0:38:54house-robot-bashing bout,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Apollo scored two points
0:38:56 > 0:38:57from the judges,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59taking their total to five points.
0:38:59 > 0:39:00Storm 2 remain in second place
0:39:00 > 0:39:02on two.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04PP3D and Eruption are still
0:39:04 > 0:39:05to score.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06All to play for now.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12It is the next battle between joint last place PP3D and Eruption.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Well, I'm not sure what can follow that.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Eruption, are you going to flip any of the house robots?
0:39:16 > 0:39:17We only have four.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19If we have to, we will.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22But we think Apollo's probably twisted themselves
0:39:22 > 0:39:25and bent bits by doing that, so it probably wasn't a great plan.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- No, no.- We need to go for PP3D and we need a knockout.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31No points, as well, but this is a good robot.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34It'll be incredible if it's one of these robots which
0:39:34 > 0:39:35is very good and doesn't get any points.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Are you going to do some damage here?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40We need to beat PP3D fairly easily and then we've got to beat Apollo.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41We've two more fights to go.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43We're thinking ahead and want to get to the heat final.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47We can beat Apollo as it is. We've made sure we can get under it. We can beat it.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49We need to get out of this fight with at least damage as
0:39:49 > 0:39:51possible so we can still do that.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Lovely stuff. Ladies and gentlemen, that's Eruption.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57APPLAUSE
0:39:57 > 0:40:01So, just like Eruption, PP3D, you guys need a knockout in this round.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- We do.- How are you going to win? - Spin the disc up and hit them.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09What if they come straight in so you don't get time to build momentum?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11We've had a little tweak with the internals
0:40:11 > 0:40:13and the tension on the spin-up mechanism.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15What kind of tweaking are we talking?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17It's very minor things but allows
0:40:17 > 0:40:19the disc to spin up a little bit quicker so...
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- You'll get pace quicker. - We're hoping for a quicker spin up.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Are you confident you can take them down?
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Quietly. Yes.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28Brilliant. Good luck, guys.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Both teams desperate to take something from this battle.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35Over to Jonathan.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Yes, the loser simply goes out.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43ANNOUNCER: Activate.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Eruption, good as new.
0:40:45 > 0:40:52PP3D re-tyred. Will they be retired in another way at the end of this?
0:40:52 > 0:40:57Low ground clearance with the undercutter blade there,
0:40:57 > 0:40:58you can see it spinning away.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01But Eruption have those side panels... Ooh!
0:41:01 > 0:41:03..to stop the blade getting in underneath,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06but it's getting up to speed with mighty power.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09ALARM WAILS
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Bang, smash! Destruction.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13Look at this, whoa!
0:41:15 > 0:41:20And off comes one of those welded side plates, simply shorn away.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Wow, like shearing a sheep.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28We're moving, they're not. We are moving.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32They're just about, just about OK.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37With the 32-volt battery still retaining some power,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Eruption have got out from the corner.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44They can self right but can they steer themselves forward?
0:41:44 > 0:41:49At the moment, seems to be one wheel only working on Eruption.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50Ho-hum.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Yes, we know you can move it, well, you can fidget.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59You're fidgeting. You're not fighting, you're fidgeting.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00You guys have got smoke, do you?
0:42:03 > 0:42:04Oh!
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Oh, that...
0:42:07 > 0:42:10I hope you're still alive and kicking out there,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14I'm almost losing the will to live myself.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Go on, go on, Dead Metal, get out...
0:42:16 > 0:42:18We'll allow you. Go and get.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Fetch! You want some, are you sure?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Taking on the house robot?
0:42:23 > 0:42:25It will go to the judges and Eruption have already
0:42:25 > 0:42:27controversially lost one decision.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- 'Cease.'- Cease is called.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33The judges will decide.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36It started so well, head-to-head bash.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Aggression from PP3D and they cause damage to Eruption,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44one of the side panels blew off a little bit later on after Eruption
0:42:44 > 0:42:46bravely came back for a head-to-head smash.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50But the second half of the bout, goodness me!
0:42:50 > 0:42:51It was deadly dull.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Well, there's one for the purists.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00When the history of Robot Wars is written,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02this battle may not be long remembered.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04What happened out there?
0:43:05 > 0:43:06Well, we spun out beautifully.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09- Yeah.- Then we continued to collide, collide, collide.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- Yeah, we imparted some damage. - It was a lovely first minute.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15You were trying to get around, trying to flip them over.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- Couldn't quite get in there. - No, the disc was so...
0:43:18 > 0:43:19Every time that you hit it,
0:43:19 > 0:43:21there's so much energy that both robots just fly apart.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24It was a fun minute or so and then, yeah, as you say,
0:43:24 > 0:43:26it was the two of us just trying to crawl towards one another.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29The judges have had to watch back over that first minute.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32This could be it now in terms of staying in the competition.
0:43:32 > 0:43:36They do have a decision and the decision is unanimous
0:43:36 > 0:43:38that the winner of this bout is...
0:43:40 > 0:43:44..PP3D. PP3D get the two points.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Back in the pit, both teams get the chance to explore
0:43:49 > 0:43:51these catastrophic motor failures.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53We've burned the motor out so we need to get the motor out and
0:43:53 > 0:43:56replace it with a spare one but to do that we need to get the wheel out
0:43:56 > 0:43:59first which is jammed up, take all the main gas tanks out before
0:43:59 > 0:44:00we can get to that.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03So there's not a huge amount to replace, but it's buried at the
0:44:03 > 0:44:04bottom of the robot.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07We might be able to get... It depends.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11Motors are often the only part that can't be fixed on site.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14There is a smell, it's quite a distinct smell.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18But we will see how...
0:44:18 > 0:44:20it is looking.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22Oh, brushes are cracked.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31Oh, yeah, that's a nice burnt out motor.
0:44:31 > 0:44:32Oh, magnet's shattered.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34That's it.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38That should be nice and shiny and copper
0:44:38 > 0:44:42and you can see these are the magnets inside the motor
0:44:42 > 0:44:45and this one here has just shattered.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47Yeah, that's a write-off.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51So PP3D face an early exit.
0:44:51 > 0:44:55However, there may be hope yet with an act of robot cannibalism.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00I do have a spare, it is promised to in other, but,
0:45:00 > 0:45:02as long as he doesn't need it straightaway,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04you are more than welcome.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07- But I think you will be buying it. - I think so.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11Eruption remain at the bottom
0:45:11 > 0:45:12but PP3D now move up
0:45:12 > 0:45:13to joint second place
0:45:13 > 0:45:15on two points with Storm 2.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Whilst Apollo, now guaranteed
0:45:17 > 0:45:18a place in the final,
0:45:18 > 0:45:20sit at the top with five points.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24While the teams prepare for the next battle, I'm here with one of our
0:45:24 > 0:45:27judges, renowned mechanical engineer, Doctor Lucy...
0:45:27 > 0:45:30HAMMERING Bad time to start doing that!
0:45:30 > 0:45:33Can you give me a couple of minutes to do this?
0:45:34 > 0:45:37Lucy, we have seen robots come down the trolleys
0:45:37 > 0:45:39- back to here in fragments.- Yeah.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42And other teams step in to help and assist to rebuild the robot
0:45:42 > 0:45:44so they can compete in the next...
0:45:44 > 0:45:48Yeah, the community is wonderful. The camaraderie is great.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51But the thing that's really got me excited
0:45:51 > 0:45:53is the internet community now that's around
0:45:53 > 0:45:54all the making things.
0:45:54 > 0:45:59Not just robots, but drones and even sewables, wearable electronics.
0:45:59 > 0:46:02There's whole community out there and with the internet you don't need
0:46:02 > 0:46:05that person to be in your neighbourhood.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08They can be anywhere in the world and you can still discuss things with them.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11And people are involved in getting together and showing off all
0:46:11 > 0:46:13sorted different automated devices.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17Yeah. The Raspberry Pi computer for example, it's four years old,
0:46:17 > 0:46:19it's sold 8 million of them.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21They're only credit-card-sized,
0:46:21 > 0:46:24but they've got as much computing power as a computer
0:46:24 > 0:46:25from maybe five, ten years ago.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27And so the things that you can do with that,
0:46:27 > 0:46:29we couldn't have imagined ten, 15 years ago.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31And the price of sensors,
0:46:31 > 0:46:34the temperature sensors, infrared sensors,
0:46:34 > 0:46:38things that maybe would have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds
0:46:38 > 0:46:41ten, 15, 20 years ago are down to pence or pounds.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43OK, grand. Hopefully we see more and more of this,
0:46:43 > 0:46:46- more and more people getting involved.- Yeah, yeah.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48And if people want to get involved, then look online,
0:46:48 > 0:46:49find your local communities.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51There will be people out there.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54If they're not in your local area, they're there in a wider community.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56- That's fantastic.- Wonderful.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58Hammer away, lads. Hammer away.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06Our next group battle is between the two flippers,
0:47:06 > 0:47:10Apollo and Eruption, who have fought so hard for so little reward.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15APPLAUSE
0:47:15 > 0:47:19ANNOUNCER: 'Three, two, one.
0:47:19 > 0:47:20'Activate.'
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Apollo already through, but they'll want to stay out of trouble here
0:47:24 > 0:47:26because they've sustained chain damage
0:47:26 > 0:47:29and they need to fight later in the competition.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31Eruption playing for pride, really.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33I think they're unfortunate to be pointless thus far.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36And they're on the aggressive here,
0:47:36 > 0:47:40trying to get Apollo side on to get their flipper
0:47:40 > 0:47:43into action now from the rear.
0:47:43 > 0:47:48And I don't think that's enough power in Eruption's flipper
0:47:48 > 0:47:51to push Apollo up and over.
0:47:51 > 0:47:52Ooh, it was!
0:47:53 > 0:47:55And Apollo dancing around.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01The famous blue coat dances and prances
0:48:01 > 0:48:04and a tumble in the rumble of Robot Wars.
0:48:04 > 0:48:05What can Eruption do?
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Oh, look at the pirouette by Eruption.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11Apollo.
0:48:11 > 0:48:12Under pressure here, well,
0:48:12 > 0:48:16they're through to the final but this is not an infallible machine.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21Oh, no. It's all gone wrong.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23The flipper is stuck open.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26They have a relatively low supply of gas, they know that.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28I think they've been mobilised.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30They have to be wise using the launcher.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33I don't know if there is any activity left in the launcher.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36And Eruption here heading for its first bout of
0:48:36 > 0:48:38the night and into the CPZ.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40Apollo need to get out of the clutches...
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- 'Cease.'- ..there of Dead Metal, that's for sure.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48Really good work by Eruption and Michael Oates,
0:48:48 > 0:48:50we know he's a good driver.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54Pirouetting there on the blade, oh, lovely stuff.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Really good slow motion, that.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02Topsy-turvy, the life of a roboteer.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05Eruption, what a way to go.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07- Yeah.- Where was that guy?
0:49:07 > 0:49:09In the previous fights?
0:49:09 > 0:49:11It was there, I just couldn't get onto the opponent.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13I mean, it definitely did it this time.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15It was nice to go out on a good fight.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17A nice little pirouette right on the nose there. That was pretty...
0:49:17 > 0:49:20- Yeah, that was quite stylish.- Yeah. You guys went out on a high.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23Can we get a round of applause, please, for Eruption?
0:49:23 > 0:49:25Three points for you guys, well done.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Apollo, were you holding back?
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Not really. Once again, we had an issue with the drive.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35The flipper was working fine but for some reason,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38about a minute into the fight, the drive just stopped on the robot.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41I mean, it seems like we see two different versions of Apollo.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43One is an absolute master and then one who's, you know,
0:49:43 > 0:49:45really quite vulnerable when it's not working.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48There's some reliability issues in the drive that we do need to sort
0:49:48 > 0:49:50out before the next fight, really.
0:49:50 > 0:49:51So despite losing their
0:49:51 > 0:49:52final head-to-head,
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Apollo on five points are
0:49:54 > 0:49:56through to the final.
0:49:56 > 0:49:57Eruption's victory gives
0:49:57 > 0:49:58them three points.
0:49:58 > 0:49:59But with a game in hand
0:49:59 > 0:50:01and both on two points,
0:50:01 > 0:50:02this next battle between
0:50:02 > 0:50:08Storm 2 and PP3D will decide who meets Apollo in tonight's final.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13Our next match is Storm 2 so we want to make sure that our robot is
0:50:13 > 0:50:15running and running well for it.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19Very strong ramming robot, but...
0:50:20 > 0:50:22Yeah, it'll be interesting.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24It'll be interesting.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26We're up against PP3D next so we
0:50:26 > 0:50:29put our four bar lifting mechanism on top.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33We've measured them and if we can turn them upside down,
0:50:33 > 0:50:35because we're so low and they're relatively tall,
0:50:35 > 0:50:37their disc just spins above the height of our robot
0:50:37 > 0:50:39so that will be our plan.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41So here it is, the deciding head-to-head
0:50:41 > 0:50:44between PP3D and Storm 2.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47And it is absolutely all to play for.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49Over to you, Jonathan.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53ANNOUNCER: 'Three, two, one.
0:50:53 > 0:50:54'Activate.'
0:50:54 > 0:50:58Storm 2 go straight onto the attack on PP3D.
0:50:58 > 0:50:59Trying to get them over
0:50:59 > 0:51:03so that they'll negate the power of the PP3D blade.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06Moving away, PP3D can see the power
0:51:06 > 0:51:09of the blade if they get it up to speed.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12Storm will try and stop them getting up to speed.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15And slamming it onto the blade there of Shunt
0:51:15 > 0:51:18and crinkling the blade of Shunt.
0:51:18 > 0:51:19Look at the bottom of it.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23Oh, but there's an awful sound coming out of PP3D now.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Shake, rattle, not exactly rock and roll,
0:51:25 > 0:51:27sounds like an old steam engine.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32Oh, PP3D, they're trying to get it up to spinning speed
0:51:32 > 0:51:37and they've pushed Storm 2 onto the Floor Spike.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Storm 2 need to get off there.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42Good smash onto PP3D.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Press the pit, press the pit. Press the pit.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51They're on the pit. Oh, they're down the pit!
0:51:52 > 0:51:57Storm 2 realised what was going on and they celebrate.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01Innovative design on PP3D.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03It's a shame they got him anyways,
0:52:03 > 0:52:06but that spinning disc kept hitting the floor and damaging itself.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09Storm 2 with a drive onto Shunt's blade.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12There's the damage caused by the disc,
0:52:12 > 0:52:17but the motor immobilised, doom, gloom, pit, out, goodbye.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21Oh, that was over far too quickly. Far too quickly.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- No, no, no.- Congratulations, Storm 2.- Thank you very much.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28Well done, Storm 2, ladies and gentlemen.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Did you feel in any way guilty
0:52:30 > 0:52:32when you slowly walked over to drop them down the pit?
0:52:32 > 0:52:35Not really, we spotted they were immobilised on there and I just
0:52:35 > 0:52:37tapped, literally went, just press the pit button.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39Yeah. What a place to lose control on the pit.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42Oh, I know, but, well, it happens, doesn't it?
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Well, commiserations. PP3D, ladies and gentlemen.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49PP3D fought the good fight, but, of course,
0:52:49 > 0:52:51in the final it'll be a rematch with Apollo.
0:52:51 > 0:52:52- Yes. Revenge.- You think so?
0:52:52 > 0:52:54Yeah, revenge for us and I think the house robots
0:52:54 > 0:52:56have a score to settle with Apollo.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59Because it was quite the highlight, that particular battle, you know?
0:52:59 > 0:53:00- It was fantastic.- Yeah.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02So if we get something of that quality, that'd be very good.
0:53:02 > 0:53:03Well done, Storm 2.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06After all six head-to-head battles, the table looks like this.
0:53:06 > 0:53:08At the top, Apollo and Storm 2
0:53:08 > 0:53:09both with five points.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11In third place with three points,
0:53:11 > 0:53:13it's Eruption and at the bottom
0:53:13 > 0:53:14with two, it's PP3D.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18Congratulations to Storm 2 and Apollo on making it
0:53:18 > 0:53:20through to tonight's final.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22If their earlier head-to-head is anything to go by,
0:53:22 > 0:53:24this should be some battle.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Apollo started strong in the competition,
0:53:28 > 0:53:30making short work of Kan-Opener
0:53:30 > 0:53:32and Sweeney Todd in the group stages.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37They destroyed most of the opposition
0:53:37 > 0:53:38in the head-to-heads before
0:53:38 > 0:53:41suffering their only defeat at the hands of Eruption.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44But five winning points was enough to guarantee
0:53:44 > 0:53:46their place in the final.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49Storm 2 also fared well after a slow start.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51They took an Eruption in the head-to-heads
0:53:51 > 0:53:54and the judges' decision gave them their first win.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57It was only against PP3D that they showed their true
0:53:57 > 0:54:00potential and joined Apollo at the top of the league table
0:54:00 > 0:54:02for a place in the final.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05When they first met, it was one of the most dramatic battles
0:54:05 > 0:54:06in the series so far.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12Storm 2 seemed to have the advantage with their lower front end...
0:54:14 > 0:54:17But when it came to flipping power, Apollo took off,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20taking out both Dead Metal shortly followed by Matilda.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Storm 2 almost sent them into the pit but Apollo held out.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32Will their luck hold as they head into the final or Storm 2 wreak
0:54:32 > 0:54:34revenge and settle an old score?
0:54:35 > 0:54:37It's Storm 2 versus Apollo.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40Only the winner is guaranteed a place in the grand final.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42And even the house robots aren't safe.
0:54:42 > 0:54:45For the final time tonight, it's over to Jonathan.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48Thanks very much, Dara.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Yes, Dead Metal and Matilda and the house robots
0:54:50 > 0:54:52have a grudge against Apollo.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54ANNOUNCER: 'Three, two, one. Activate.'
0:54:54 > 0:54:57Off we go for a place in the grand final.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Apollo and Storm 2 nervous here,
0:54:59 > 0:55:01look, feeling each other out.
0:55:02 > 0:55:07Apollo trying to get the lifting mechanism and Storm 2 driving in underneath.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10This is what they did when they met earlier on and into the
0:55:10 > 0:55:15CPZ and this is where they decide to get revenge now!
0:55:15 > 0:55:17Again, a house robot has been flipped.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21For the third time in the night, Apollo flips a house robot.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23Over goes Shunt.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26All topsy-turvy in the Shunt world now.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31Dancing a dizzy jig in that corner,
0:55:31 > 0:55:34but no extra points for Apollo for that.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Don't forget, Storm 2 has, I think, the more significant drive.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42If they can push Apollo towards a pit, they could have a chance.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44They're certainly getting in underneath again,
0:55:44 > 0:55:46under that front ground clearance of Apollo
0:55:46 > 0:55:50when they can nudge it up into the air.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54The control and the aggression from Storm 2 but the damage was from
0:55:54 > 0:55:57Apollo with the flip.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Powerful surge...
0:56:00 > 0:56:04A supply of gas well used there.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06They know they have to be sensible with it.
0:56:06 > 0:56:11And in the previous fight, that sort of flip caused damage to Storm 2.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15No house robot in the CPZ.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Oh, yes, yes!
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Storm 2 flying through the air.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25And now Apollo is shaping up to have another ram,
0:56:25 > 0:56:27meanwhile, Matilda's on the warpath.
0:56:29 > 0:56:30Matilda, get out the way!
0:56:32 > 0:56:36She can cross into a CPZ if the competitors go in there and once
0:56:36 > 0:56:39again, she's now self-righted her compatriot.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Big blow onto Storm 2.
0:56:41 > 0:56:42And another one out!
0:56:42 > 0:56:46- CHEERING AND APPLAUSE - Apollo, yes, yes!
0:56:46 > 0:56:51Storm 2 over and out, Houston control.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53'Cease.'
0:56:54 > 0:56:56Woo!
0:56:56 > 0:57:00What a robot. What a heat. Apollo, deserved winners.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02Through to the grand final.
0:57:03 > 0:57:09Storm 2 did so well with a nudge and a smudge of hope.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12Oh, Apollo's got some front.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15Some courage to take on the house robots and look at that,
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Storm 2 just tossed through the air,
0:57:18 > 0:57:19spinning like dice.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Your luck is out, so are you.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26Storm 2, fine finalists, you've done very well.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29Although maybe a defensive robot more than anything else.
0:57:29 > 0:57:30Very low, very compact and you
0:57:30 > 0:57:33probably need to go on the attack a bit more, really.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35Is it particularly painful to watch
0:57:35 > 0:57:38- your robot be flipped out of the arena?- No.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40- There are far worse ways... - I believe you're lying.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43Far worse ways for a robot to fail than leaving the arena.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46- There's got to be something... - They left it whole and not in a bin bag.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48OK, fine. OK, grand.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50But in a more correct way, it's also a loss, so...
0:57:50 > 0:57:52LAUGHTER
0:57:52 > 0:57:54Everybody, it's Apollo!
0:57:54 > 0:57:57APPLAUSE
0:57:57 > 0:57:59I mean, that is how to win a final.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02Yeah, it's the first time the robot has fully worked.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Every time we've gone into a fight,
0:58:04 > 0:58:06we've lost a wheel or the entire drive.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09So that shows, when it works, 100%, we can take on anyone.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11The main thing was just make sure we were entertaining,
0:58:11 > 0:58:12that's what we do.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15So when we came in to this, every match, we don't want to be boring.
0:58:15 > 0:58:16We want to do the best we can.
0:58:16 > 0:58:18Hopefully everyone's had a good time watching.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21That is the way to do it. You are through to the grand final.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24That's all from us tonight on Robot Wars. Goodnight.
0:58:24 > 0:58:28CHEERING AND APPLAUSE