Anubis

Anubis
Participation Information
US 1994-1997 Events	1996 (withdrew) 1997
Team Information
Team Members	Alexander Ko
From	Sunnyvale, California
Other Entries	Have a Nice Day (1995)
Robot Statistics
Power	2x gel cell batteries
Drive	2x 1/3hp motors
Weapons	Pneumatic lifter
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Anubis was a middleweight robot originally built for and entered into the 1996 US Robot Wars competition by Alexander Ko. Despite being highlighted on the official website, it would end up not participating for unknown reasons.

The following year, Anubis competed in both the Middleweight Face-Off and Melee events, picking up one victory in the former against Peaches. It was subsequently defeated by Alexander, and would not progress beyond the first round of the Middleweight Melee.

Design

Anubis' chassis and internals (1997)

Anubis was a four-wheel drive robot with a machined aluminum chassis and a composite bodyshell made from carbon fiber and Kevlar. The shell's unusual shape prompted comparisons to 'a prehistoric crusteacan [sic]' by Andrew Lindsey. All four wheels were 'soft non-pneumatic foam tires', as used in remote-controlled cars.

At the front was Anubis' main weapon, a pneumatically-powered lifting arm. Anubis' arm, often referred to as a 'flipper', was capable of throwing other middleweights over with ease. The pneumatic system powering this weapon incorporated a repurposed scuba tank - storing an unspecified type of gas and mounted directly behind the arm - and a ram capable of only firing upwards. The latter constraint meant that the arm could only retract through gravity, and had a tendency to stick open during battles.

Internally, Anubis was powered by two gel cell batteries. Two 1/3hp motors and Tekin Rebel speed controllers provided drive, with both of the front wheels being directly connected to the motors through a 10:1 worm gear reduction. To enable four-wheel drive, the rear wheels were connected to the fronts by a pair of timing belts.

Etymology

Anubis derives its name from the ancient Egyptian god of death.

Robot History

1996 US Championship

As a prospective entry for the 1996 competition, it can be assumed that Anubis was to have initially competed in the Middleweight Face-Off that year. While attending the event - and photographed for its listing on the official US Robot Wars website - it would not participate in any events for unknown reasons.

1997 US Championship

Anubis' 1997 campaign began in the Middleweight Face-Off, where it faced Peaches.

In the opening moments, it approached Peaches as it shuttled back and forth, only to be rammed from the side by the invertible six-wheel drive machine. Having its shell scratched as a result, Anubis attempted to respond by flipping Peaches, but mistimed its attack as Peaches charged at it a second time. Anubis, nevertheless, pressured Bill Nicoloff's machine into one of the arena flippers, moments before the latter began smoking and suffering drive issues as a result of a overheating resistor.

Anubis closed in and flicked Peaches onto its side against the kerb, within reach of an overhead spike hazard. Another flick enabled it to turn Peaches completely upside-down, prompting Peaches to sluggishly retreat. Anubis shuttled around its opponent as it struggled to maintain mobility. When Peaches drove into the wall and became immobilized, Anubis nudged it again before backing away and being declared the winner.

In the second round of the main bracket, Anubis faced Alexander: the successor to the previous year's middleweight champion Agamemnon.

Both robots drove past each other in the opening seconds. Anubis, the slower of the two, tried to avoid attacks from Alexander's arm-mounted milling cutter. Regardless, it was bumped and swiped by Alexander's weapon, which sent pieces of Anubis' composite shell flying. Anubis next found itself under a spike hazard, starting a tentative phase where it was rammed and again sliced from the side by Alexander. With its lifter raised, Anubis crept across to the lower-left corner, only to be rammed once more by Team Delta's machine. These collisions had the effect of damaging Alexander's arm; the second ram broke the top actuator.

The next head-to-head exchange saw Anubis flick Alexander upwards; Alexander having partially driven onto the lifter's lip. However, it could not turn Alexander over, and, due to the ram design, the lifter was unable to fully retract after it hooked through a space in Alexander's arm. More gentle nudges were exchanged by both robots, as Anubis took another swipe to its left-hand side from Alexander's weaponry. From this point forward, it continued to be rammed and grazed by Alexander, until a head-to-head collision caused both robots to lock together. As Cambot moved in to obtain close-up footage, a separation was called. Upon both robots being forced apart, Anubis showed no further mobility; its speed controllers having burnt out during the 'deadly embrace'. As a result, Alexander was quickly declared the winner, and Anubis was eliminated from the Middleweight Face-Off.

Anubis later returned for the Middleweight Melee event. In its qualifier, it faced Satoru Special IV, Satan's Revenge, The Bishop and Turtle Roadkiller.

Anubis flips Satan's Revenge

In the opening moments, it pressured Satoru Special IV across the center of the arena, before attempting to lift James Straus' machine. Anubis, in turn, took a blow from Satoru Special IV's axe. Both robots later met Turtle Roadkiller in the center, at which point Satoru Special IV used its axe to spear under Anubis' lifting arm. A tentative phase for all five competitors lead to Anubis scooping up an approaching Bishop, and Satoru Special IV driving into the side of both machines. Anubis backed up, collecting Satan's Revenge as it drove underneath the latter's chainsaw.

Four of the five machines gathered again. Anubis began pushing and trying to lift The Bishop, which in turn was pinned against its side by Turtle Roadkiller. It then crawled towards and flipped Satan's Revenge over with its arm. When Satan's Revenge - now inverted - drove over the lifter, Anubis flicked it a second time, seconds before The Bishop drove up Anubis' side. Following ramming attacks from Turtle Roadkiller, Anubis and Satan's Revenge separated. From that point, Anubis played a reduced role in the battle, appearing to be left stationary next to the lower-left flipper. After this prolonged bout of immobility, it moved sluggishly towards the center during the final thirty seconds. Anubis and Satoru Special IV locked horns again, only to be pushed apart by Turtle Roadkiller.

All robots were still mobile by the end of the full five minutes. According to the Team Spike website, Anubis was stated to have qualified for the Middleweight Melee Final alongside its opponents, but for unknown reasons was not present in the latter battle. As such, it was the only robot of the quintet to not progress beyond the first round.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 2
• Losses: 1

Series Record

Events	Anubis Event Record
1994	Did not enter
1995	Entered with Have a Nice Day
1996	Withdrew
1997	Middleweight Face-Off, Round 2 Middleweight Melee, Round 1

External Links

• Official US Robot Wars website entry on Anubis (archived)