Bonk

Bonk
Participation Information
UK Series	8
Robot Wars Live Circuit	2013
Team Information
Team	Team Mute
Team Members	Adam Emmett Daniel Emmett
From	Stoke-on-Trent
Robot Statistics
Weight	110kg
Dimensions	0.50m x 1.12m x 0.82m
Top Speed	17mph
Power	Lithium polymer battery (26v)
Drive	2x Bosch 750w motors
Weapons	Pneumatic axe
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"While other axe/hammer robots jump as their weapon is deployed, Bonk’s custom made CO₂ gas system minimises the jump. This allows all of its energy to be focused on the axe’s impact."

— The Robot Wars website

Bonk, alternatively titled Bonk!, was a heavyweight robot built by Team Mute, which competed in Series 8 of Robot Wars. It lost its Group Battle after it was immobilised by Carbide and flipped over by Behemoth, the pneumatics system for its axe malfunctioning due to the cold temperatures of the arena.

Design

"The sharpened axe aims to penetrate opponents armour or shock damage opponents internal components. If the team do manage to penetrate an opponents armour with the axe and it gets stuck inside the robot, it could lift the whole robot up and carry any of its opponents."

— The Robot Wars website

Bonk in the arena

Bonk's weapon was a full-pressure axe. It was armoured in 8mm HARDOX wear resistant steel at the front, and 6mm wear resistant steel on the sides, with its bladed axe being not only capable of penetrating a robot's armour, but also righting the robot. It could also lift up to 130kg when attached to something, theoretically making Bonk capable of lifting a competitor when its axe was buried inside. Bonk also used a custom CO₂ system to stay rooted to the ground while its axe is firing, as opposed to the way robots such as Terrorhurtz leap off the arena floor. Three forked wedgelets were found at the front of Bonk, to provide the robot with a low frontal clearance, although Bonk otherwise had a relatively high ground clearance. Bonk suffered from unreliability on the live circuit, and this carried over to its televised appearance, where it was immobilised promptly.

Qualification

The new version of Bonk which was being created at the time of Series 9 and 10

Bonk qualified for Series 8 through open application, possibly being chosen based on Mute's previous pedigree. Team Mute also intended to enter Series 8 with Mute, which competed in Series 7 of the original Robot Wars as well as the New Blood Championship in the second series of Robot Wars Extreme. However, they could not complete Mute in time, as its new batteries and speed controllers were making its motors too warm, requiring more testing than the time allowed. Bonk later applied for Series 9, but was not selected to compete. Team Mute did not apply for Series 10, wishing to dedicate more time to the completion of Bonk's upgrades.

Robot History

Series 8

Bonk appeared in Heat 1, fighting Carbide and The General, as well as Behemoth, a robot that Team Mute defeated in Series 7.

Bonk attacks Carbide

Bonk is caught by the arena spikes

When the battle begun, Bonk saw Carbide as an immediate threat, and rammed into the back of it at full speed. It fired its axe to attack Carbide, but the axe became stuck in this position. This was due to the low temperatures of the arena causing Bonk's CO₂ system to freeze, leaving Bonk at an immediate disadvantage.

An immobile Bonk is flipped over by Behemoth

Carbide adds insult to injury to Bonk

Bonk was chased by Behemoth, where Bonk then became trapped on an arena spike, which held it above the ground momentarily. Despite the lack of a weapon or srimech after its axe failure, Bonk continued to contribute, and tried to pin Behemoth down when it flipped itself over. Bonk pushed Carbide aside, and shrugged off an attack from The General. However, when Carbide charged in to attack The General's tyre, Bonk was hit by the same blow, and was immobilised by a big hit. Behemoth pushed Bonk over the flame pit, and turned it over, where it officially started being counted out. CO₂ vented from Bonk, as it was hit by Carbide twice more. Cease was called, and Bonk was eliminated, leaving Team Mute's record against Behemoth at one-a-piece.

"Bonk, good luck with the train home!"

— Dara Ó Briain

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

Series Record

• The internals of Bonk
• Bonk in the pits
• Bonk with Team Mute

1/3

Main Series	Bonk Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
The Third Wars	Did not enter
The Fourth Wars	Withdrew from qualifiers with Mute
The Fifth Wars	Failed to qualify with Mute
The Sixth Wars	Failed to qualify with Mute
The Seventh Wars	Entered with Mute
Series 8	Heat, Round 1
Series 9	Not selected
Series 10	Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Did not enter
Series 2	Entered with Mute

Robot Wars Live Events

• An older version of Bonk!
• Bonk prior to Series 8

1/2

Following on from a lot of live event success enjoyed by Mute, Bonk made its Robot Wars debut at the Winter Tour of 2013. However, it lost in the first round. Bonk is more commonly seen at Robots Live! events.

External Links

• Team Mute website
• Team Mute Facebook Page
• Bonk on the Robot Wars website