Cruella

Cruella
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)
From	University of East London
Associated Robots	WYSIWYG (Michelle Wheeley)
Robot Statistics
Weight	78.9kg
Dimensions	1.10m x 0.70m x 0.30m
Clearance	12mm
Top Speed	15mph
Power	1 x 12V battery
Drive	2x Sinclair C5 motors
Weapons	6" Circular Saw and Front Wedge
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"Phillip Martin and girlfriend Michelle Wheeley say its structure is its main strength, and main weapon..."

— Jonathan Pearce in Series 2

Cruella was a robot that competed in the first two series of Robot Wars. In the first Series, it was nearly 2kg over the Heavyweight Limit. It reached the Arena stage in Series 1, before losing to Robot The Bruce after driving itself onto an arena grille, but was eliminated at the Gauntlet stage in Series 2.

Design

"It features computer-controlled regenerative braking and avoids wheelspin with Formula 1-inspired traction control! Cruella weighs in at 81.2 kilograms and boasts a top speed of 15 miles per hour."

— Jonathan Pearce introduces Cruella in Series 1

Cruella in Series 1

Cruella was a basic low box-wedged robot powered by a pair of Sinclair C5 motors, and initially used its front wedge as its primary weapon, with a second steeper wedge at the back. The team's tactic was to use Cruella's wedge as a high-speed ram, enabling it to get underneath opponents and flip them over.

"Cruella was essentially the same robot as last year but the bodyshell had been totally remade to make it much lighter. As before 2*C5 motors powered 2 go-cart wheels through go-cart gears and chains. The motors were driven from one large 12V battery and then through a wheelchair speed controller. In a futile attempt to avoid the no passive wedge rule a 6" circular saw was attached to the back"

— Oliver Steeples comments on the rebuild of Cruella, and the addition of an active weapon

For Series 2, Cruella was fitted with a new bodyshell with a larger front wedge and with a flat box section replacing the rear wedge. It also featured a steel chassis, new castors which allowed for an adjustable ground clearance, and a rear-mounted 6-inch circular saw powered by a windscreen wiper motor from a Ford Granada. However, the weapon motor for the saw was exposed, and was particularly vulnerable to axes and other spinning weapons.

"The chassis is steel, so's the bodywork. Two Sinclair C5 motors provide the drive..."

— Jonathan Pearce in Series 2

In Series 1, Cruella was painted black with white spots as a further reference to the 101 Dalmatians character, while in Series 2, it was painted blue and red.

Etymology

Cruella's name is a reference to the villainess from the film 101 Dalmatians, Cruella de Vil, which also inspired its appearance in Series 1. The name also features the letters UEL, standing for University of East London.

The Team

The Duelists with Cruella in Series 1

The team show Cruella's internals in Series 2

Cruella was entered by a team from the University of East London. In Series 1, the team introduced themselves as "The Duelists", a team from University of East London (hence the team name containing the letters UEL, just like Cruella does), 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. Philip Martin was the team captain, driver and the only team present in both of the team's appearances.

In Series 1, the driver Philip Martin was joined by future Robot Wars judge Martin Smith and Kaneesh Lingham. A fourth, uncredited team member was also seen in the team's introduction. In Series 2, he was joined by Michelle Wheeley, Philip Martin's girlfriend at the time. Michelle Wheeley had been the driver for the stock robot WYSIWYG in Series 1, a robot which coincidentally was in Cruella's Series 1 Heat.

Qualification

For the Series 2 rehearsals, a virtually unchanged Series 1 Cruella attended, with the only new feature being its name written in white on the sides .

Robot History

Series 1

Cruella makes its Gauntlet run

Cruella was the first robot to make its Gauntlet run in Heat C, and immediately went for Shunt's route. Shunt blocked it, but Cruella eventually pushed and drove itself free, knocking down two of the skittles before spinning around and getting pushed into a pyramid by Shunt as time ran out. Cruella attained a distance of 10.15m, which was good enough for fourth overall and to allow it to qualify for the Trial stage.

Cruella scores

The Trial stage was Football, with Cruella facing Robot the Bruce, Wedgehog, Dreadnaut and WYSIWYG to score a goal against Dead Metal and qualify for the Arena stage. Robot the Bruce used its strength and power to score the first goal effortlessly, while Cruella held off a charge from WYSIWYG to steer the ball towards the goal. However, its attempts were blocked by Dreadnaut, which appeared to have broken down, and Wedgehog capitalised by steering the ball and allowing Dead Metal to nudge it in despite Cruella shoving the House Robot into the goal. Cruella made up for this in the third round, steering the ball against the wall before charging it into the goal, with both Dreadnaut and WYSIWYG laying immobile.

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

— Jonathan Pearce as the battle against Robot The Bruce begins

Robot The Bruce runs up Cruella's wedge

Cruella drives onto the grille

Cruella qualified for the Arena stage, where it fought Robot The Bruce. It started reasonably well, using its wedge to get underneath Robot The Bruce twice, but unable to topple it onto its side either time. Robot The Bruce rammed into Cruella as it spun, then pushed it across the arena before riding up its wedge a few more times as it slammed into Cruella several times. Then, without provocation, Cruella turned round and drove straight onto a grille, immobilising itself instantly.

"Oh, that's suicide, surely? What on earth, is Philip Martin doing? He's on the grille, he won't get out from there now!"

— Pearce as Cruella beaches itself

Series 2

Cruella's return to the warzone meets an early end

Cruella returned for Series 2 with a brand new circular saw as its primary weapon, competing in Heat I. However, it did not get a chance to demonstrate this new weapon following its Gauntlet run. Cruella immediately chose the right-hand route, running into the ramrig before easing itself out and getting stuck in it. Sergeant Bash shoved Cruella before it backed away, before Cruella attempted the central route and got intercepted by Matilda and Sir Killalot, with Matilda attacking its bodyshell. Cruella retreated back into the ramrig, getting pinned there by Sir Killalot as he ran up Cruella's wedge and drove it into the saws. 'Cease' was called, with the team visibly disappointed about their run and Cruella only managing to cover a distance of 1.9m, eliminating it from the competition.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

NOTE: Cruella's Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included

Series Record

• The internals of Cruella from the First Wars
• Cruella from Series 2 without its shell
• Cruella in 2008, with circular saw removed

1/3

Series	Cruella Series Record
The First Wars	Heat, Arena Semi-Final
The Second Wars	Heat, Gauntlet
The Third Wars	Did not enter
The Fourth Wars	Did not enter
The Fifth Wars	Did not enter
The Sixth Wars	Did not enter
The Seventh Wars	Did not enter
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter

NOTE: Martin Smith was involved with Series 3-7 as a Judge.

Trivia

• In both appearances, at least one of Cruella's team members was, or would become, part of the Robot Wars production team:
• The Cruella actually managed to immobilise itself on a grille twice during its Series 1 appearance: once in its battle against Robot The Bruce, and once in its robot introduction.