Dough Boy

Dough Boy
Participation Information
US 1994-1997 Events	1997
Other Names	Doughboy DoughBoy
Team Information
Team	Robot Action League
Team Members	Lisa Winter
From	Monona, Wisconsin
Other Entries	Tentoumushi
Robot Statistics
Power	Lead-acid gel cell battery
Weapons	Overhead bar spinner
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"Dough Boy was the first combat robot I made and definitely one of my favorites."

— Lisa Winter speaking fondly of Dough Boy in November 2016

Dough Boy (also spelt Doughboy and DoughBoy) was a featherweight robot which competed exclusively in the 1997 US Robot Wars competition. It was entered by then 10-year-old Lisa Winter, who would later feature in various special fights during Series 3 of the UK television show with Tentoumushi.

Inspired by her father's success competing in the years prior, this was Lisa Winter's first entry into a competition. Though Dough Boy was built in collaboration with her father, Lisa entered it as a solo competitor. Dough Boy won three fights in succession to make the semi-finals in its division, but was denied a place in the final by Wedge of Doom. In the melees, Dough Boy advanced through its first round fight but lost again at the semi-final stage.

The robot still resides with Lisa Winter, housed in her office.

Design

Dough Boy was a two-wheel drive, box-shaped robot made largely made from aluminum. Equipped with a belt-driven overhead spinning blade made from steel and sourced from a lawnmower, the ends of which were bent at a near-45 degree angle to reach lower down on its opponents. Powered by a starter motor, Dough Boy's weapon was capable of throwing a garden chair "about ten feet through the air". The inspiration for Dough Boy's weaponry came from Lisa's own research into the effectiveness of footage her father had obtained from past events, drawing her ideas and going to her local Blain's Farm & Fleet store in Madison, Wisconsin.

Etymology

"Instead of having a boring metal box, I wanted Dough Boy to have character."

— Lisa Winter on Dough Boy's theme

Dough Boy was named after the Pillsbury Doughboy character - a widely-recognised mascot which has appeared in commercials since 1965. Prior to each fight, Lisa Winter would put a chef's hat on Dough Boy and add large white gloves to either end of its blade both to hide its weapon and play up to its theme. The top panel of the robot also featured blue eyes and a smile, much like the mascot itself.

Robot History

1997 US Championship

Dough Boy hangs back as The Grinch struggles to move

Dough Boy's first opponent in the Featherweight Face-Off was The Grinch. Both robots were slow to start with Dough Boy hesitant to capitalise upon The Grinch's lack of controlled mobility. As its opponent was struck by the flipper hazard, Dough Boy paused momentarily before powering up its spinner, much to the delight of the live audience. Dough Boy drove into The Grinch before becoming caught in the flipper itself.

Dough Boy charges into its damaged opponent

As The Grinch looked to adopt a sit-and-spin technique, Dough Boy positioned itself to face it as the crowd began to jeer. Boos turned to cheers, however, as Dough Boy spun up again and charged towards The Grinch, ripping away several of its festive decorations. The Grinch had lost mobility on one side as Dough Boy remained wary, but shortly after, Lisa Winter drove Dough Boy closer to its opponent before using its overhead weapon to bang against The Grinch's armour.

The Grinch lost all mobility soon after and with under a minute left in the fight, Dough Boy retreated and celebrated its first win.

Dough Boy takes on Spiny Norman

In Round 2, Dough Boy took on Spiny Norman, built by Will Wright. Dough Boy began this battle more aggressively, immediately firing up its overhead spinner and charging down its opponent. The pair met head-on several times in the opening seconds with each of these exchanges halting Dough Boy's blade. This attack sequence was repeated as Dough Boy struggled to find time and space to spin up to its maximum speed. However, a minute into this second round tie, Spiny Norman's right-front wheel began to show signs of damage as it was cracked and visibly wobbly on its axle.

Dough Boy and Spiny Norman meet head-on

Spiny Norman backed away and wheelied as it approached Dough Boy again, though this retreat had allowed Lisa Winter's robot to spin back up to speed. As the pair collided, Spiny Norman was swept aside and lost part of the tread from its left-front wheel soon after. With both of Spiny Norman's front wheels compromised, Dough Boy was able to get the better of a head-to-head pushing battle, ramming Will Wright's machine back with its blade up to speed. Spiny Norman escaped and looked to find space, but charged into the Cambot.

As the fight continued on, the weapon motor of Dough Boy gave way and Lisa Winter was forced to engage in a pushing match for the remainder of the battle. Many of these late attacks were initiated by Spiny Norman, though as the fight ultimately went the distance, Dough Boy was given the judges' nod based on damage caused.

Dough Boy then took on Bob Smith.

Now in the semi-finals, Dough Boy faced Tony Buchignani and Wedge of Doom.

Dough Boy returned for the melees, where in its qualifier, it faced Fuzzy, KMM, Red 2, Red-Green, Sabotage and, for a second time, Bob Smith.

Advancing through the qualifier, Dough Boy, KMM and Bob Smith were joined by Gorange and Wedge of Doom.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 4
• Losses: 2

Series Record

Events	Dough Boy Event Record
1994	Did not enter
1995	Did not enter
1996	Did not enter
1997	Middleweight Face-Off, Round 2

Gallery

Lisa Winter and Dough Boy in 2016, alongside Tentomushi

Lisa Winter in a promotional piece for an unspecified technology magazine

Lisa and Mike Winter prepare Dough Boy for its first fight

Dough Boy with its gloves during a photoshoot for the 1997 event

Trivia

• Dough Boy's white gloves were hand-sewn by Lisa Winter.