Polar Vortex

Polar Vortex (also known as Polar Vortex 3 ) was a robot that attempted to qualify for Robot Wars Series 8 but was not selected. It then was successful in qualifying for Series 9 but withdrew due to travel concerns. Polar Vortex was originally meant to appear in the Robot Wars: World Series with the 2017 version of the machine but once again had to withdraw.

Polar Vortex was entered by Team Toad, who were known for competing in BattleBots and the US live circuit, with their active machine at the time being Polar Vortex. The team would later appear in Series 10 in the second The World Series special with Cathadh.

Design
The version of Polar Vortex that attempted to qualify for Series 8 was the third version, Polar Vortex 3. Polar Vortex was a rectangular shaped orange robot. Although it used two wheel drive, it had four wheels two connected to each other on both sides. The wheels were large enough to allow the robot to be invertable at the expense of using its weaponry. The weapon itself was a large wedge which had two electrical lifting arms that would raise the wedge upwards.

The fourth version of the machine was built in 2017 and was originally meant to appear in Series 10 World Series special. This version no longer had the electric lifting wedge and instead used a one toothed vertical flywheel. The weaponry was initially painted blue. The bodywork was moreorless the same as before with a much more boxier design.

Qualification
Team Toad attempted to enter Series 8 with Polar Vortex through open applications. However, they were not selected for unknown reasons. They also applied for Series 9 with a newly built Polar Vortex and were successful. For Series 10, Polar Vortex was initially accepted for the World Series.

Series 9
Team Toad applied Polar Vortex for a second time this time they were successful in qualifying. However, when the time came an issue arose with shipping costs as the BBC prohibited shipping, therefore the robot was forced to withdraw. "Polar Vortex was accepted into Series 9, but the shipping was prohibitive, and the BBC didn't have the budget to pay for it."

- Team Toad on Series 9

Series 10
Team Toad were accepted into the World Series special fighting on behalf of the Rest of the World and representing the United States of America. Polar Vortex 4 was originally meant to fight but once against shipping costs caused problems and the team had to be lended loanerbot Arena Cleaner, for which they were allowed to modify to their own taste. "We tried to bring Polar Vortex vertical spinner to Robot Wars, but there was no money for shipping. So I got to turn Arena Cleaner into Cathadh."

- Team Toad on Polar Vortex's withdrawl from the World Series

Series Record


NOTE: The previous identity of Cathadh, Arena Cleaner, competed in Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars.

Outside Robot Wars
The team's active heavyweight on the live circuit between 2014-18 was Polar Vortex, which competed yearly at RoboGames. Originally driven by two pairs of wheels at either side, Polar Vortex was armed with a broad electric lifter, designed to push robots. It was redesigned in 2017 to feature a spinning disc. At RoboGames in 2015, Polar Vortex defeated Pump, [http://robogames.fandom.com/wiki/Whoops! Whoops!] and The Great Pumpkin before losing to Touro Maximus and Last Rites. In 2016, it defeated Vlad the Impaler II, but lost to fellow pushing robot Original Sin and Ragin Scotsman. The spinner version of Polar Vortex defeated Mega Melvin in 2017, but lost to Megabyte and Touro Maximus. At RoboGames in 2018, Polar Vortex had an unfortunate first-round draw against Ragin Scotsman, and was commanded around the arena for the duration of the match after Polar Vortex's weapon belt slipped. It subsequently lost its losers' bracket match to Swamp Thing. Polar Vortex itself would later be the inspiration of the Battlebots competitor Texas Tornado

Team Toad has appeared in various events in multiple competitions. For more information see here.