Dome

Dome
Participation Information
UK Series	5
Other Names	The Dome
Team Information
Team	The Domeheads
Team Members	David Sweeney Bella Boyd Jim Boyd
From	St. John's
Robot Statistics
Weight	91kg
Dimensions	0.68m x 1.07m x 1.07m
Power	24v x electric motors
Weapons	Pneumatic trebuchet
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"This is the first time a robot has used a weapon based on a "trebuchet" - an ancient weapon that was used to hurl boulders at castle walls! This device is contained in a tough looking steel-framed dome shape."

— Robot Wars Magazine

Dome was a robot that competed exclusively in Series 5 of Robot Wars. It lost its only battle to the experienced Diotoir. The team wore white overcoats and the two male members wore bald caps resembling The Coneheads.

Design

Dome in the arena

As its name suggested, Dome was a dome-shaped robot with a dodecagonal base and four belt-driven wheels. The robot's shape was formed by a 37-sided symmetrical steel outer frame, with steel and aluminium sheeting being used sparingly.

Dome employed a unique weapon system of its own, described on statistics boards as a 'pneumatic trebuchet'. The weapon arm operated similarly to a conventional axe or hammer, but with an unpowered circular-shaped disc attached to a smaller swinging arm at the end. An opening at the top of the main arm allowed the disc to rest and swing freely in between. Once the main arm fired, the disc would be flung behind and over the top in most circumstances, the resulting motion comparable to that of a 'sling' on full-sized trebuchets.

While potentially giving the robot a greater attack range than conventional axes or hammers, Dome's trebuchet did not provide self-righting capabilities. Furthermore, the disc component could easily be torn off upon contact with regular spinning weapons, as demonstrated in its series qualifier. Dome as a whole had a high ground clearance on all sides. While the steel frame provided a relatively large space between the robot's armour and internals, the open gaps in between presented further weaknesses against weaponry which could fit in or break through them.

Qualification

The Domeheads had previously attempted to enter Series 3 with a six-wheeled middleweight robot called Samurai, but it ultimately did not feature in the show.

"Two years ago Dave entered Robotwars with an entry called Samurai. It wasn't quite up to the heavyweight standard (or weight!) and was entered as a Middleweight. Sadly the Middleweight competition was dropped that year due to difficulties while filming, and somehow Dave never got around to improving the machine..."

— The Dome Website

In its qualifier battle for Series 5, Dome fought Vader.

Dome and Vader before their qualifier

Dome fighting Vader in its qualifier

Upon the horn sounding, it duelled tentatively with the self-named Team Vader vertical spinner, losing a piece from its shell as Vader lifted and held it up with its disc. Dome flung its trebuchet arm forwards, but could not swing it into reach as both competitors separated. When Vader backed over and suddenly stopped on the Floor Flipper (referred to by Team Vader's accounts as the Pit), Dome began another series of tentative rams, taking further damage as a consequence. At one point, it struck the right-hand side of Vader with its trebuchet, only to lose the disc arm entirely upon driving it into Vader's still-spinning weapon.

Despite the damage sustained - including gashes to its own armour - Dome was still fully mobile, shuttling back and forth across the arena and retracting its main weapon arm. With Vader still unable to move properly due to an uneven Floor Flipper surface, another horn sounded to signal the end of the match. Dome was ultimately awarded a place in the televised Fifth Wars following this victory, while Vader was not selected to compete.

Robot History

Series 5

In the first round of the Fifth Wars, Dome went up against Irish veteran Diotoir in Heat G.

Diotoir flips Dome

In the battle, Diotoir approached the more sluggish Dome machine and used its scoop weapon to flip Dome over straight away. Dome was unable to self right using its shape or weaponry, rendering it immobile. Diotoir then rounded off an easy victory by activating the Pit release button and pushing the newcomer into the Pit, eliminating Dome from the competition.

"Dome, about as successful as The Millennium Dome!"

— Craig Charles sums up Dome's performance

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

Series Record

The Domeheads in the control pod

Series	Dome Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
The Third Wars	Failed to qualify with Samurai
The Fourth Wars	Did not enter
The Fifth Wars	Heat, Round 1
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

Trivia

• Dome's strength in the Fifth Wars was listed as "previous warzone experience", despite the team being newcomers to Robot Wars.
• Footage of Dome's loss to Diotoir was aired during Robot Wars: World Series, part of Series 10, during a montage of Diotoir's history.