"Amat Victoria Curam"
Robot builders voted in 2003 to name the top combat robots of all time. Twenty-five combat robots from both sides of the Atlantic were elected by their peers to membership in the Combat Robot Hall of Fame. They achieved membership based on:
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The hall re-opened for membership in August of 2005 and 2007, inducting five new full members and adding ten robots to the honorable mention rolls. Congratulations to the new members!
More information on the selection process can be found at: Hall of Fame Contest.
| Each of the robots in the Hall were named on at least 50% of the ballots in the year of their induction. The robots appear in alphabetical order. |
| Biohazard - The six-time heavyweight champion set the high water mark for longevity and top-notch design. Carlo Bertocchini's low, all electric lifter remains the most successful robot in history with six championships, twenty-seven wins, and three losses. This 'bot gets my vote to set right in the entrance to the Hall of Fame. Biohazard Website |   |
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Blendo - The first of the gas-powered spinners, and the first 'bot to be judged too dangerous to compete. The design has been copied by countless imitators, who have learned that there is more to building a good spinner than just getting the thing to spin. James Hyneman was declared heavyweight co-champion of the 1995 Robot Wars. Blendo Website (Archived) | |
| Cassius - Inducted 2007: A true Robot Wars design paradigm, Rex Garrod's innovative pneumatic flipper weapon doubled as a SRIMECH. The audience was stunned by the unexpected when it to became the first british combat robot to self-right (Robot Wars 1998). Cassius Website (archived) |  |
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Chaos 2 - First flipper to put a 'bot out of the arena. Two-time Robot Wars heavyweight champion with more match wins there than anyone else (19). There are other great British flippers, but if I have to pick one I'll pick Chaos 2. As a plus, driver George Francis is a very nice guy! Chaos 2 Website | |
| Complete Control - This middleweight was the first 'bot that could effectively and reliably clamp its opponent, lift it off the ground, and parade around the arena waving it in the air. What could be more humiliating? Kudos to Derek Young. Complete Control Website (Archived) |  |
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Diesector - two-time super-heavyweight champion with sixteen wins, this 'bot was all action. Independent jaws, dual independent side-mounted hammers and enormous power. Donald Hutson drove it well and made it do a great victory dance. Diesector Website | |
| Dr. Inferno Jr. - Now, that looks like a robot! It won championships, too. Jason Dante Bardis combined a whole lot of power with exotic materials in a lightweight package to make a 'bot with a unique balance of style and performance. Two BattleBots lightweight championships, 12 wins, 3 losses. Infernolab Website |  |
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Hazard - Master of the spinning blade. The design was simple and the results were deadly. Tony Buchignani knew his metallurgy and physics, and created the most feared and successful 'bot in it's class with three middleweight championships, seventeen wins, and only one loss! Hazard Website (archived) | |
| Hypnodisc - The British don't really do the whole-body spinner thing. David Rose's heavyweight disc-spinner took a different tack on big kinetic energy destruction. Its appealing mix of driveability and destruction inspired many immitators. Hypno Disc Website (Archived) |  |
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KillerHurtz - This Robot Wars polycarbonate uni-body wonder crossed the pond to finish heaveweight runner-up at BattleBots. John Reid's sophisticated control systems and a powerful pneumatic overhead axe made for a dangerous package. Teamhurtz Website | |
| La Machine - The original wedge and icon of the early years of Robot Wars. Winner of the 1995 Robot Wars middleweight crown, Greg Munson's superstar performer also won both the middleweight and heavyweight class rumbles that year. La Machine Website (Archived) |  |
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Mauler - The first 'Tuna Can' spinner was nearly as dangerous to itself as to its opponents. The various incarnations of Mauler were always entertaining, as was the Tilford clan that built them. When the heavyweight spinner demonstrated the physics of the 'tippy-top' and flipped itself onto its back in a moment of supreme instability it coined a term: forever after known as 'doing a Mauler'. Mauler Website (Archived) | |
| Mechadon - It only had two match wins, but that makes no difference. What it lacked in fighting ability, it more than made up for in coolness. This 480 pound, six-legged superheavyweight wonder was a true walker, with independent multi-axis control of each leg. How did Mark Setrakian operate this thing? Team Sinister Mechadon Demo. |  |
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Megabyte - Inducted 2005: The only single 'bot to win championships in two weight classes, Robotic Death Company's heavyweight spinner competes and wins against superheavyweight 'bots. Overall record: 52 wins, 16 losses, and 1 national championship. Robotic Death Company website | |
| Minion - This two-time champion was fast, controllable, and capable of thunderous ramming attacks. Christian Carlberg raised the bar in the super-heavyweight class with this bot. Minion Website |  |
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Nightmare- King of the vertical spinners. A pure weapon on wheels, this heavyweight 'bot was the poster boy for destruction. The first 'bot capable of throwing pieces of its opponent up and out of the arena, Jim Smentowski forced event organizers to put a roof on the containment box. Nightmare Website | |
| Overkill - It's all about the blade, dude. The huge heat-treated 4130 steel blade is a real eye-catcher. Maybe the best of the show-off bots, Christian Carlberg's heavyweight Overkill looked great and performed at the highest level. Overkill Website |
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Panic Attack - Looking like a piece of construction equipment and painted to send a strong 'keep away' message, Kim Davies' durable and strong lifter was a tough opponent. A Robot Wars champion and BattleBots heavyweight competitor, this Welsh 'bot surprised me with its strong showing in the voting. Panic Attack Website (Archived) | |
| Panzer / Wrath - Todd Mendenhall is the only builder to win two different televised competitions. Versions of Panzer's six-wheel drive platform won the third season of Robotica, dominated the second Robot Wars Extreme Warriors tournament, and (as 'Wrath') had a 75% match win record at BattleBots. Versatile, powerful, and fast, the 'bot is difficult to match at any aspect of combat. (No website available) |  |
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Razer - Two-time Robot Wars world heavyweight champion and a real work of art. Ian Lewis and company built the first successful hydraulic crusher-bot on the planet. Razer Website | |
| Sewer Snake - Inducted 2007: Team Plumb Crazy holds an unprecidented stranglehold on the U.S. large combat robot classes. Matt and Wendy Maxham's stable includes the historic #1 ranked heavyweight (Sewer Snake), the historic #1 ranked middleweight, and the the historic #3 ranked lightweight. Sewer Snake's record: 35 wins, 9 losses. Team Plumb Crazy Website (Archived) |  |
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Son of Whyachi - If brute force doesn't work, it's because you're not using enough of it! Terry Ewert packed a really big punch with this monster spinner that combined a rule-shaving 'shufflebot' propulsion system with huge power and great craftsmanship. Also gets a point for being rendered ineligible to defend its heavyweight title due to rule changes it precipitated. Team Whyachi Website | |
| Tazbot - Donald Hutson builds cool 'bots. I think that if I had my choice of 'bots to drive in a tournament just for fun, I'd pick heavyweight Tazbot. The rotating turret with lifter adds an extra degree of movement and excitement. Miniature replicas of Tazbot were the most popular of the BattleBots toys. Tazbot Website |  |
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The Judge - Inducted 2005: You just had to be there! When the giant overhead hammer came down, the whole building shook and the crowd shouted "GUILTY!" A unique rack and pinion hammer actuator by Jacha Little gave the super-heavyweight unprecedented striking power and speed. Overall record, 24 wins, 12 losses. Mechanicus website (Archived) | |
| Tornado - Innovators and Robot Wars champions. Andrew Marchant's rambot once claimed to have the most power of any combat 'bot on the planet. The controversy over the 'anti-crusher web' alone should put them in the hall of fame. Tornado Website |  |
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Toro - Alex Rose took the game into the air! This 'bot stunned the robot community when it first rolled out and started throwing its super-heavyweight opponents end-over-end through the air. Winner of the championship and back-to-back rumbles. Simply awesome! Inertia Labs Website (Archived) | |
| Vertical Disc of Destruction (VDD) - Inducted 2005: The first insect-class 'bot inducted into the hall, Ted Shimoda's VDD brought the power of the verical disc spinner to the antweight world in a big way. The current incarnation features a revolutionary kevlar-wrapped carbon fiber rod spaceframe chassis. Team Think Tank Website (Archived) |  |
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Vlad the Impaler - Chunky and powerful, this two-time heavyweight champion by Gage Cauchois pioneered the pneumatic lifter as an effective weapon and was the first immobilized robot to self-right in competition (1997 U.S. Robot Wars). Record: 16 wins, three losses. Vlad the Impaler Website (archived) | |
| Voltronic / Voltarc - Another of the early BattleBots icons and a very tough heavyweight competitor. Builder Stephen Felk may give the most animated interview in robotic combat and has been immortalized with his own verb, as in: "I got too excited at lunch and I felked myself." (No website available) |  |
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Ziggo - The lightweight ultra spinner. Eighteen wins, sixteen knockouts, three lightweight championships. Jonathan Ridder understood the physics of the spinner better than anyone else. Woof! Ziggo Website | |
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Honorable Mention
The following robots were each widely supported, appearing on at least 25% of the ballots. |
- Backlash - Nightmare's little sibling carves out it's own space in the Hall of Fame. The lightweight vertical spinner was the champion of BattleBots season 1.0 and was runner-up in season 2.0. It appeared in all five televised seasons of BattleBots and has a record of 13 wins and 4 losses.
- Bigger Brother / Little Sister - Ian Watts scores points for the cute kids and effective high-pressure pneumatic flipper. Effective competitor at both Robot Wars (12 wins) and BattleBots (4 wins). Does a great victory dance, too.
- Blade Runner - The overall record of 5 wins and 5 losses isn’t spectacular, but Ilya Polyakov elevated the lowly ‘twackbot’ layout by implementing the ‘MeltyBrain’ technology that allows simultaneous spinning and controlled movement. Technological breakthrough! Appeared in all five televised seasons of BattleBots.
- Firestorm - Quirky active differential steering and reverse-angle pneumatic flipper make the 'bot fast, stable, and dangerous. The only 'bot to ever topple Mr. Psycho! Graham Bone keeps making refinements on each new version of this innovative Robot Wars competitor.
- frenZy - There has never been a wackier or more animated 'bot than frenZy. Pioneer of the overhead electric pickaxe, frenZy spends as much time in the air as on the ground. Patrick Campbell stays calm and collected while his machine goes completely nuts. It should have its own cartoon show.
- JuggerBot / Tricerabot - Mike Morrow's Team JuggerBot made the final fight at Robotica - twice! They made the final fight at Robot Wars Extreme Warriors, and were the only 'bot to ever put 'Sir Killalot' into The Pit. They competed as a superheavyweight at BattleBots 3.0 only to lose a close decision to the eventual champion. If you can beat these guys, you're doing everything right.
- Mortis - A tough and versatile competitor from the early UK Robot Wars, Arthur Chilcott's Mortis remains a favorite amongst robot fans. The combination of lifting arm and overhead spike gave Mortis great flexibility and staying power.
- Son of Smashy - A second Canadian ‘bot by Derek Young scores a piece of the fame pie. The middleweight features a pre-wound spring powered axe that is reset by electric winch during the match. Son of Smashy went 5 and 0 to win the 1999 BattleBots event in Long Beach.
- Spiny Norman - The little 'bot that simply would not die in the '94 Robot Wars melee. The '94 melee was the first and only time that 'bots from all weight classes were pitted together. The crowd went completely ape cheering for Will Wright's indestructible marvel as it survived repeated attacks from 'bots 8 times its weight.
- The Master - The original 'thwackbot', The Master was a pioneer in interchangeable weaponry and the 'all in the wheels' drive train. Mark Setrakian was co-winner of the 1995 Robot Wars heavyweight tittle with this creation, and it continued to compete for many years.
- T-Minus - The smaller version of super-heavyweight champion Toro, middleweight T-Minus packed a huge full-pressure pneumatic flipper into a compact package. Class champion in BattleBots 5.0 – overall record 14 wins, 2 losses.
- Vladiator - Super-heavyweight ‘bots were generally big, lumbering juggernauts until Gage Cauchois mated big Lynch motors into a titanium shell and put serious speed and power into the class. Vladiator bounces around the arena like a giant pinball with attitude. Class champion in BattleBots 3.0, second in 5.0, champion Mechwars 10 – overall record 14 wins, 2 losses.
- Warhead - Who says the Brits can’t build spinners? The Razer team put together the most frightening internal combustion powered heavyweight weapon ever seen at BattleBots. The display of gyroscopic forces alone was awesome. Record: 5 wins, 1 loss.
- 3pd - The first beetleweight mentioned in the hall. The drum weapon Andrew Peterson put together is in perfect balance with the chassis and drive system. Record: 48 wins, 21 losses.
- Dark Pounder - A pioneer in the era of magnet-bots back when steel arena floors were popular, Russ Barrow's antweight still maintains the #3 historic ranking. Record: 31 wins, 4 losses.
- Max Wedge - The first 'bot to score back-to-back RFL National championships. Mike Phillips has demonstrated the reliability and power of his dominating middleweight. Record: 39 wins, 8 losses.
- Solaris - The first hobbyweight 'bot to be mentioned in the hall. Pete Covert kept refining Solaris until the powerful drum weapon was feared across the nation. Record: 42 wins, 13 losses.
- Tombstone - Nothing subtle here. The weapon is a 97 pound tool steel bar spinning at 2200 RPM. The rest of the 'bot is just there to push the weapon around. Forget about the other 'bots, the arena isn't safe from Ray Billings and this super-heavyweight attack! Record: 14 wins, 8 losses.
- Big Nipper - A robust horizontal crusher/vertical lifter weapon mated to a heavilly armored 4WD chassis gives Graeme Dawson's Robot Wars veteran the staying power needed to be a consistent winner on the UK robot circuit.
- CycloneBot - In spite of being ranked 396th out of 397 heavyweights at botrank.com, Michael Worry's full-body spinner remains a crowd favorite with 'melty brain' cyclone propulsion and a real-time 'tauntware' display that insults their opponent while rotating at full speed. Record: 11 wins, 20 losses.
- Gravity - Arguably the most powerful flipper ever seen at Robot Wars, this Dutch champion became the model for a new generation of monster flippers in Europe. W. J. Dijkstra's team claims 4 to 5 tons of lifting force, enough to toss house robots like toys.
- Storm 2 - The 2004 Robot Wars world champion and 7th Wars runner-up has unbeatable speed and ramming power. Team Captain Ed Hoppitt liked the Robot Wars arena so much that he bought it!
- TerrorHurtz - The 2004 Roaming Robots champion and 6th Wars semi-finalist carries the most powerful overhead axe in the UK. Top notch design and workmanship make John Reid's 'bot a favorite with builders and the audience.
Honorable Mention 2005:
Honorable Mention 2007:
More information on the selection process can be found at: Hall of Fame Contest.
Contents copyright Mark Joerger, 2003, 2004, 2005
'Combat Robot Hall of Fame' is a trademark held by Mark Joerger, 2003