Cruella

Cruella
Cruella in Series 2
Participation Information
UK Series	1-2
Team Information
Team	University of East London
Team Members	Philip Martin Martin Smith (Series 1) Kanesh Lingham (Series 1) Michelle Wheeley (Series 2)
Robot Statistics
Weight	78.9kg
Dimensions	1.10m x 0.70m x 0.30m
Clearance	12mm
Top Speed	15mph
Power	1 x 12V battery
Weapons	6" Circular Saw and Front Wedge
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Cruella was a low box wedge shaped robot that competed in the first two series of Robot Wars. In Series 1, it was black with white spots, the contrast of a Dalmatian dog's coat, most likely because its name was a reference to the villainess from the film 101 Dalmatians, Cruella de Vil. However, it lacked weaponry, instead utilising its front wedge to attack.

For Series 2, Cruella was blue and red, with a stronger steel chassis, and same drivetrain with Sinclair C5 motors and new casters to alter the ground clearance. It also featured a new weapon, in the form of a rear-mounted circular saw powered by a Ford Granada windscreen wiper motor. However, the motor for this weapon was exposed and was particularly vulnerable to axes and other saws.

Whilst performing reasonably well in Series 1 by reaching the Arena stage, Cruella was knocked out in the Gauntlet stage of Series 2. In Series 1, Cruella had wedges on the front the and back but in Series 2, the front wedge was bigger and the rear wedge was now too steep to be utilised.

In Series 1, the team introduced themselves as "The Duelists", a team from University of East London", but in Series 2, they went by just University of East London. It is unknown if the team name was dropped for Series 2, or they just failed to use it in their introduction.

In Series 1, the driver Philip Martin was joined by future Robot Wars judge Martin Smith and Kaneesh Lingham. In Series 2, he was joined by Michelle Wheeley, the original driver for the stock robot WYSIWYG in Series 1, a robot which coincidentally was in Cruella's Series 1 Heat.

Robot History

Series 1

Cruella in Series 1

Cruella participated in the Gauntlet, and went for Shunt's route. The house robot blocked it, but Cruella tried to break free. It was pushed into a pyramid by Shunt before cease was called, Cruella managed a distance of 10.15m, finishing in 4th, therefore enough to qualify for the Trial stage of the Heat, which was football.

After Robot The Bruce and Wedgehog both scored, Cruella managed to score the third goal, which was largely made possible by the fact that both Dreadnaut and WYSIWYG both became immobilised.

Cruella qualified for the Arena stage, where it fought Robot The Bruce.

Robot the Bruce drives up onto Cruella

"It's the box against the wedge, no weapons on board either."

— Jonathan Pearce

Cruella started reasonably, using its wedge to get beneath Robot the Bruce twice, but was unable to push it on its side. Cruella spun, trying to deflect Robot the Bruce's charge, but it failed in this, and Robot the Bruce slammed into Cruella's side. It then pushed it, but Cruella escaped, and used its wedge again, but failed to tip its foe over. Robot the Bruce reversed up Cruella twice more, but then Cruella turned and drove onto a grille, immobilising itself instantly.

Series 2

File:Cruellagauntlets2.jpg

Cruella's return to the warzone meets an early end

Cruella returned for Series 2, with a brand new circular saw as its weaponry, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to use it. The saw was most likely added as Robot Wars tried to restrict the idea of the passive wedge. In the Gauntlet, Cruella took the ramrig route, but on its way there, Cruella ran into the ramrig and became stuck. It came unstuck after a shove from Sergeant Bash, before retreating to try and attempt the central route, although it was boxed in and attacked by Matilda and Sir Killalot. The giant house robot forced Cruella back into the ramrig route and against the angle grinders, causing sparks to fly as Sir Killalot ran up the front of Cruella and pinning it in position. Cease was called and Cruella had only managed to cover a distance of 1.9m and was eliminated from the competition against all odds.

Results

• The Duelists with Cruella in Series 1
• The internals of Cruella from the First Wars
• Cruella without its shell
• Cruella in 2008, with circular saw removed

1/4

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 2

Series Record

• Series 1: Heat, Arena Semi-Final
• Series 2: Heat, Gauntlet
• Series 3-7, 2016 Series: Did not enter

Trivia

• Cruella was a very official-supported machine. Professor Martin Smith, a member of the original team, would later become a Judge, and was replaced by one of the technical consultants, Michelle Wheeley, ex-driver of WYSIWYG (and also Phillip Martin's girlfriend at that time).
• As well as its Series 1 decoration, Cruella's name is likely to have been derived from the letters UEL, standing for University of East London, the place where the robot originated.
• The original Cruella actually managed to immobilise itself on a grille twice, as in addition to its elimination, it drove straight onto one in its introduction.