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"Black Hole looks formidable coming forward... the German mean machine!"
Jonathan Pearce, during Black Hole's opening European Championship bout

Black Hole was a German competitor robot which originally fought in the one-off series German Robot Wars. Reaching the Grand Final of the first and only German domestic championship, it emerged as the overall winner upon defeating Tsunami on an evenly-fought Jury's decision.

Off the back of this feat, Black Hole represented Germany in the European Championship, also broadcast in the UK as part of Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2. Here, it began with a particularly destructive knockout win against Italian machine Zeus, but lost in the second round to Belgian representative Philipper 2.

Despite its successes, Black Hole did not return to represent its home country for the Third World Championship, broadcast as part of Series 7 of the main UK Robot Wars.

Design[]

BlackholeGRW

Black Hole in German Robot Wars

Black Hole was an invertible, reverse-wedge robot painted black and silver, and armed with two 4,000rpm, four-toothed vertical spinning discs at the front. These silver and red discs were connected to the same axle, and were very powerful, being able to deal significant damage to its opponents as well as flipping them clean over. The robot was two-wheel driven, one of which was rotor-driven through a 12V electrometer, and its armour was made from steel and aluminium.

Black Hole

Black Hole from the front

Blackhole

Black Hole's light-up eyes

Black Hole's discs proved especially potent throughout its appearances, especially towards Tsunami and Zeus, but could not work as effectively when the robot was inverted, as they were only designed to spin in one direction. Additionally, the robot could be easily flipped from the front and suffered from poor traction, with all three issues costing it in its European Championship battle against Philipper 2.

Qualification[]

Black Hole qualifiers

Black Hole at the German series auditions

In order to qualify for the German series of Robot Wars, all German competitors were required to attend an inspection run by Derek Foxwell in May 2002, to receive safety advice, and pointers with the build. A relatively complete Black Hole attended the event, and as German Robot Wars had fewer applicants than the number of spaces for competitors, Black Hole was automatically accepted for the German series.

Robot History[]

German Series[]

Black Hole vs Absolut Krankhaft

Black Hole and Tsunami turn Absolut Krankhaft over

Black Hole began its opening battle by attacking Absolut Krankhaft, teaming up with Tsunami to overturn the Dutch machine. Black Hole stayed away whilst Tsunami righted and then re-flipped Absolut Krankhaft. Black Hole then slammed into Absolut Krankhaft, causing damage to the rear. Absolut Krankhaft was then counted out and Black Hole dodged Tsunami until eventually cease was called.

BlackHoleHydrotec

Black Hole pushes Hydrotec

Black Hole next faced Hydrotec. Black Hole disabled Hydrotec’s flipper very early on, severely buckling it. Then, Black Hole turned its attention to the rest of the robot, causing sufficient damage to the internals to cause Hydrotec to break down. Hydrotec was counted out by the Refbot, and left to the House Robots. With this victory, Black Hole had made the Grand Final.

Son of Armageddon vs Black Hole

Black Hole pushes its larger foe back

Black Hole vs Son of Armageddon

Black Hole throws sparks from the side of its opponent

In its first Grand Final battle, Black Hole came up against Son of Armageddon. Black Hole repeatedly attacked the front and sides of its opponent, destroying the supports of the flipping weapon on Son of Armageddon; however this attack stopped the discs from working. Black Hole pushed Son of Armageddon into Dead Metal, and the House Robot attacked Son of Armageddon until cease was called. The judges made the obvious decision to put Black Hole through to the Grand Final.

Black Hole vs Tsunami

Black Hole wedges under Tsunami

Black Hole sparks

Black Hole inflicts major damage

In the Grand Final, Black Hole came up against Tsunami. Black Hole was turned over early on in the fight, and was on the back foot early on, being pressured by Tsunami, but it quickly recovered and caused damage, also suspending Tsunami on its wedge. Eventually, Black Hole was righted, and went on the offensive, securing several major blows and ripping armour panels off Tsunami, particularly on the side and back. The Jury was called on to make a decision, which went in Black Hole's favour, making it the first, and only, German Robot Wars champion.

"Ah, but will the German champions disappear into one?"
— Jonathan Pearce introduces Black Hole in the European Championship

Black Hole also represented Germany in the European Championship, which was also broadcast as part of the second series of Robot Wars Extreme. It faced Italian representatives Zeus in the first round.

"Something came flying off - what on earth was that? Something's come flying off again! Zeus in real trouble here!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Black Hole damages and flips Zeus within its initial stream of attacks
Zeus vs Black Hole

Black Hole flips Zeus over

Black Hole vs Zeus

Black Hole throws Zeus around

Black Hole immediately ripped off Zeus' flipper plate and rendering it unable to attack. Black Hole proceeded to flip Zeus over with its discs, before tearing shards of Zeus' armour off and leaving it stranded on its flipper. It pushed Zeus back onto its wheels, before throwing it around the arena several more times, eventually leaving Zeus on its back close to a CO2 jet. Zeus was attacked by Dead Metal and Mr. Psycho, counted out and pitted, allowing Black Hole to proceed to the second round.

"This is some weapon they've got, you know! Black Hole could be a very strong contender for this Euro title..."
— Jonathan Pearce
Black hole lifts philipper 2

Black Hole lifts Philipper 2 up with its discs

Philipper 2 overturns black hole

Black Hole is overturned by Philipper 2

Black Hole vs Philipper II

Black Hole grinds into Philipper 2

Black Hole pitted

Philipper 2 shoves Black Hole down the pit

There, Black Hole faced Belgian representatives And Dutch Robot Wars runners-up Philipper 2. It charged straight towards Philipper 2, flicking it up into the air and tearing a shard of its armour off, before both machines circled around each other. Black Hole slammed into Philipper 2's sides a few more times, leaving more gashes in its armour, before steering Philipper 2 into Shunt's CPZ after it pressed the pit release button. After tearing through its opponent's sides again, Black Hole was flipped over by Philipper 2, leaving its discs spinning the wrong way up and causing it to jolt upwards as it continued damaging Philipper 2's armour. In a sudden turn of events, Black Hole drove up Philipper 2's flipper, and was pushed straight into the pit, eliminating it from the European Championship.

"A fantastic robot, we would've loved to see it go up against Razer, or Tornado, but it wasn't to be!"
— Craig Charles

Results[]

BLACK HOLE - RESULTS
German Robot Wars
German Championship
Champion
Heat B, Eliminator vs. Absolut Krankhaft, Tsunami Qualified
Heat B, Final vs. Hydrotec Won
Grand Final, Eliminator vs. Son of Armageddon Won
Grand Final vs. Tsunami Won
European Championship
Representing Germany, Round 2
NOTE: This competition was also broadcast during Extreme Series 2
Round 1 vs. Zeus (ITA) Won
Round 2 vs. Philipper 2 (BEL) Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 5
  • Losses: 1

Series Record[]

German Series Black Hole Series Record
German Robot Wars Grand Champion
European Championship, Joint Third

Gallery[]

Outside Robot Wars[]

DRG Black Hole

Black Hole 2 at the Dutch Robot Games in 2003

Black Hole 2 team

Black Hole 2 with its original team

After Black Hole's last appearance on TV, the robot was rebuilt completely as Black Hole 2, forgoing its offensive weaponry for a more Tornado-like approach. This version competed at the Dutch Robot Games in 2003, but lost its opening melee after Dantomkia stranded it against the arena wall, in a battle ultimately won by Tough as Nails. It later fought Reaper NP2 and Ansgar 3, losing a close Judges' decision[1]. However, it later won two non-competition melees, both of which were against Delldog and Snake Bite[2].

Black Hole II

Black Hole 2, prior to its rebuild as Luzifer

Luzifer

Black Hole's rebuild, after it was renamed to Luzifer

Black Hole 2 was sold to The Devil Crew, who would gradually rebuilt the robot into Luzifer. Luzifer competed briefly on the live circuit in 2004. In 2012, it was rebuilt to have weaponry like Sewer Snake so it could compete in the RoboGames before being reactivated in 2012, and refurbished in 2013.

The original Black Hole that appeared on the show was scrapped at some point prior to 2011.[3]

Robot Wars Live Events[]

Team Kaputo and Black Hole have had no involvement with the Robot Wars live events, although its spiritual successor, Luzifer competed in these events in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

Trivia[]

  • In 2016, Black Hole's new owners, The Devil Crew, applied for the revived Series 8 with their new heavyweight, Luzifer, the spiritual successor to Black Hole. Despite this, Team Kaputo and Black Hole have no relation to the new series, and Luzifer was not selected to compete.

Honours[]


References[]

External Links[]

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