Robochicken

Robochicken
Participation Information
UK Series	4-7, Extreme 2
Other Names	Robochicken-Evo (Series 5)
Team Information
Team	Team Robochicken
Team Members	Jason Snow Alec Dick Farren White (Series 4-5, 7, Extreme 2) Tyler Booth (Series 6)
From	Tiverton, Devon
Robot Statistics
Weight	99kg
Dimensions	0.74m x 1.35m x 0.95m
Top Speed	8mph
Drive	2x Bosch 750W electric motors (24v)
Weapons	Dual flipper/axe, spinning disc
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"I'm not sure if you've heard, in the news in the last few months about factory chickens, not having to have such small cages...Well this is what happens!"

— Philippa Forrester in Series 6

Robochicken was a series of competitor robots which fought in Series 4-7 of Robot Wars and the second series of Robot Wars Extreme.

The first version appeared in Series 4, where it reached the second round despite sustaining heavy damage from Razer; however, it lost to Pussycat there after receiving even more damage from the latter. Later versions of Robochicken enjoyed mixed success after this, losing in the first round in Series 5 and 6, but jointly winning the Tag Team Terror competition in the second series of Extreme along with partner Bulldog Breed. The final version of Robochicken reached the Heat Final in Series 7, where it lost to Dutch competitor Tough as Nails on a Judges' decision.

Versions of Robochicken

Robochicken (Series 4)

"Brilliantly creative, from the pneumatic chicken's beak weapon, to the eyes made of toilet ballcocks, to the crest made from a rubber glove! The shell and chassis are sprung steel, but where's the wishbone? I promise you, we'll have it!"

— Jonathan Pearce describes Robochicken

Robochicken in the arena during Series 4

The initial version of Robochicken was a two-wheeled, reverse wedge-shaped robot designed to resemble a chicken. Its weapons were a small front axe, referred to as the "poultry-powered pecker", which resembled a chicken's beak, decorated with eyes made from ballcocks and a crest made from a red rubber glove, as well as a large rear flipper, referred to as the "fowl flipping device", that resembled a tail feather. Both weapons were pneumatically powered.

Robochicken poster in Issue 17 of the Robot Wars Magazine

The original Robochicken was built using lots of parts from the team's previous machine, which failed to qualify for Series 3.. This version had 2 Electric wheelchair motors, a Vantec electronic speed controller, 24v DC battery power, and a top speed of 8mph. Both Robochicken's shell and chassis were made from steel box section, sheet steel and aluminium, while the robot was painted yellow, red and silver with various stickers depicting the chicken's 'feathers' and nuclear hazard signs. The ground clearance was adjustable, between 1mm and 10mm..

Robochicken-Evo

"We've got the poultry-powered pecker at the front, which is basically an axe weapon, and at the back, we've got the fowl flipping device to launch them sky-high."

— Alec Dick on Robochicken-Evo's weaponry

Official photo of Robochicken-Evo in Series 5

Robochicken-Evo's flipper end

In Series 5, the team entered an improved version of Robochicken called Robochicken-Evo, a 99kg machine which featured a more barrel-shaped body and a narrower rear flipping arm capable of lifting 100kg. The robot's colour scheme was also changed to yellow, black, silver and red, with 'fans' also printed onto the flat body panels next to the axe. The robot was built from spring steel box section, stainless steel and hard faced aluminium. This version had the same voltage as the previous one, but now had 2 customised 4QD controllers, the wheelchair motors were replaced with 2 Bosch 750w motors, and the top speed was increased to 15mph. The robot still had an adjustable ground clearance, between the same heights. Its official weakness on its statistics board stated that Robochicken-Evo "will not be taken seriously"..

Robochicken (Series 6/Extreme 2)

Robochicken in Series 6, flipper side

Robochicken in Series 6, axe side

Robochicken in Extreme 2, with its second paint scheme

For Series 6, Robochicken reverted to its original name, and adopted a more angular reverse-wedge design closer to its Series 4 incarnation as well as blood-shot eyes. Additionally, its paint scheme was plain yellow and red with missiles painted on its sides, which was changed to a more striking yellow, red and white feathery colour scheme for its Extreme 2 Tag Team Terror appearance. The blood-shot eyes were also swapped with the regular ones for Extreme 2 onwards.

Robochicken (Series 7)

"Good engineering, good weaponry, good fun."

— Jonathan Pearce summarises the Series 7 version of Robochicken

The Series 7 Robochicken without its head

Rear view of Robochicken in Series 7 (note the newly-added spinner)

The Series 7 Robochicken abandoned the axe mechanism of its previous incarnations, instead having the chicken head and neck fixed on the top of the flipper so that it 'pecked' opponents when the flipper raised, in a similar fashion to the weapon of 8645T. As this modification still prevented the robot from self-righting, the team enabled the head assembly to be removed from the flipper to allow it to do so, with Robochicken once fighting in the Series 7 Annihilator in this state. Additionally, a vertical spinning disc was added beneath the axe head, which the Robochicken team referred to as the 'Rooster Rotavator'. This version had a top speed of 8mph.

The Team

Team Robochicken in Series 6

Official team photo for Series 6

Team Robochicken in Series 7

Team Robochicken was formed by Jason Snow, Alec Dick and Farren White, three friends who all worked in the Maintenance department of the same factory. Jason Snow was the team captain, and designed the electronics for Robochicken, Farren White was the vice captain and driver, and he built Robochicken along with Alec Dick, who did the artwork for the robot and controlled the weapons..

Farren White was not present in Series 6, and his place was filled by Tyler Booth. In every series bar Series 7, the team wore matching yellow caps with rubber gloves and large eyes on them, which matched the ones on the robot.

Qualification

The team had previously attempted to enter Series 3 with Doomsday, but were not selected to compete. This prompted the team to create a more visually appealing design, which led to the creation of Robochicken.

"After a lot of thought we decided to try and build a robot for series 4, after having no luck with our entrant in series 3, a new robot had to be designed. One that would catch the imagination. After a lot of "effort" and "beer" we came up with a plan for the new robot, view the other pages in this site for more details. Robochicken was born out of the remnants of doomsday and a great idea."

— Jason Snow on converting Doomsday to Robochicken

Robochicken after its Series 4 qualifier

Robochicken fought The Necromancer in the Series 4 qualifiers. The Necromancer's lifter had broken before the qualifier, so it could only push Robochicken around the arena, before The Necromancer suffered radio control issues and drove into the arena barriers, bending its front end. The match went to an audience vote, in favour for Robochicken, but the judges declared the battle as a draw. Ultimately, Robochicken qualified, while The Necromancer did not.

At the Series 5 qualifiers, Robochicken-Evo fought Evolution in its qualifier battle, which it won to successfully qualify though Evolution would also qualify regardless.Jason Snow later described the battle as the most memorable he ever fought in.

Robochicken at the Series 6 qualifiers.

At the Series 6 qualifiers, Robochicken fought Tip-Top, who had been forced to withdraw from their original qualifier against King B Powerworks after breaking down before the battle. Tip-Top broke down very quickly in the battle, subsequently failing to qualify, with Robochicken qualifying as a result..

To qualify for Series 7, Robochicken fought Direct Action, Dutch champion PulverizeR and Reptirron the Second. The winner is unknown, but Robochicken and Reptirron the Second both qualified.

Robot History

Series 4

Robochicken first fought in Heat B of the Fourth Wars, where it faced third seed and then-reigning World Champion Razer, and Series 3 Robotic Soccer finalist Velocirippa. It immediately tried to get underneath Razer with its flipper, but was promptly pushed and grabbed by Razer, thrusting its head and flipper in vain as the World Champion crushed through its side.

"Will this be Razer's championship at last? Quickly onto the attack, and don't count your chickens before they're, um... shredded? Demolished?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken tries to lift Razer and Velocirippa

Razer holds Robochicken aloft

Velocirippa rammed into Razer's side, and though Razer pushed Robochicken and tried to crush into it again, Robochicken was able to turn away. Razer chased after Velocirippa, and despite Velocirippa being able to keep its distance from Razer initially due to its fast speed, Velocirippa turned around and drove into the front of Razer, which allowed Razer to grab it by the front spike. As Razer held Velocirippa, Robochicken flipped Velocirippa by the spike, lifting both opponents. Razer released Velocirippa, and turned its attentions back to Robochicken. Ignoring a couple of rams from Velocirippa, Razer crushed into Robochicken's wheel, then into its side, crushing through the base-plate and lifting Robochicken into the air. Robochicken fired the axe and flipper to try and free itself, but to no avail. Razer carried Robochicken towards the Flame Pit, holding it over it over the flames until Velocirippa rammed into the side of Razer, causing it to drop Robochicken.

"Mmm, what do you want? A wing, a little bit of breast? Mmmm..."

— Jonathan Pearce as Razer holds Robochicken over the flames

Razer bites down on Robochicken again

Robochicken is caught in the grip by Dead Metal

Robochicken continued to circle round the arena before having its front pierced through by Razer, with both robots being momentarily lifted off their wheels as Razer crushed down. Robochicken backed away from Razer, reversing close to Dead Metal's CPZ, with Razer following it. Dead Metal grabbed Robochicken and push it against a wall spike as Razer crushed into Velocirippa and pushed it onto a flame jet. Razer held it there, then let it go. Velocirippa shot forwards into the wall, but then became immobilised. Robochicken was pushed and grabbed once again by Razer before being attacked by Dead Metal a second time, and the uncut version of the fight showed Robochicken become immobile through Razer's attacks, but it progressed to the second round anyway as Velocirippa was carried to the pit by Sir Killalot and dropped in.

"Robochicken is still bravely clucking on."

— Jonathan Pearce as the House Robots attack the immobile Velocirippa

In the second round, a fully-repaired Robochicken faced the nineteenth seed Pussycat.

"We survived Razer, we'll survive a lesser mortal."

— Jason Snow's confidence as Julia Reed asks them about their chances of victory

Robochicken completes an early flip on Pussycat

An opening is created in Robochicken's armour

Both robots immediately charged at each other, with Pussycat trying to cut into the front of Robochicken, but didn't have its blade in the right position, and Robochicken reversed. Robochicken opened its flipper and turned so its flipper was facing Pussycat, and Pussycat got its blade under the flipper. Robochicken held Pussycat's blade and pushed its opponent back, but Pussycat managed to reverse, getting its blade out of the flipper. Robochicken tried to get its flipper under Pussycat, but mistimed its flip and missed. It turned around and tried flipping again, but did not have the flipper under Pussycat, so failed to flip. Pussycat drove at Robochicken, but rode up the side and over the top, flipping itself over. Pussycat managed to turn itself back the correct way up as it charged at Robochicken, but the blade was facing away from Robochicken and Pussycat drove straight onto the flipper. Robochicken flipped Pussycat onto its side, only for Pussycat to immediately get itself down. Robochicken tried to get the flipper under Pussycat again, with Pussycat reversing to avoid it. Pussycat turned, getting its blade to attack the side of Robochicken, but then Robochicken turned to get the flipper under its opponent and flipped it onto its side. Pussycat turned into Robochicken, the turned itself the right way up. Robochicken fired the axe at Pussycat, but missed, with one of the eyes hitting Pussycat's blade and being ripped off.

"Something's gone there ... oh, eye aye, what's happened?! ... Give it a pair of specs, someone, if they've got any! Only contacts we're seeing here, contacts of metal on metal!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken is slashed to pieces

Robochicken is nearly overturned by Pussycat

Pussycat drove at Robochicken's flipper again, and Robochicken could only flick its opponent up a little. Pussycat attacked the sides of Robochicken where one of the wheels was, ripping away the armour and leaving that wheel exposed. It rode up the flipper, hit the other wheel guard with its disc, then reversed off before Robochicken could flip. Pussycat drove onto the flipper again, but this time Robochicken managed to flip it, leaving it standing upright. Pussycat quickly got itself down again, driving around the sides, cutting into them with the disc, and ripping up the metal on the flipper. Robochicken was only moving on one wheel, and Pussycat rammed into the front, getting the spinning disc caught in the armour. Pussycat forced Robochicken into the arena wall, and as it pushed against it, it lifted Robochicken onto its side.

"It's ... eggs-cruciating, for Robochicken now!"

— A pun from Jonathan Pearce

A beaten Robochicken takes more punishment

Robochicken after being shredded by Pussycat

Robochicken could not move away from the wall, and Pussycat continued to tear into it. Pussycat pushed Robochicken into Sir Killalot. The House Robot pushed Robochicken away from the wall, but it could still not move, and Pussycat continued to attack. As Robochicken fired the "poultry-powered pecker", Sir Killalot knocked the remaining eye with its lance. Sir Killalot speared Robochicken with his lance and pushed it onto the floor flipper, where it was tossed. After being thrown a full 360 degrees over, Robochicken was axed by Shunt, and attacked by Pussycat as 'cease' was called. and was eliminated from the Fourth Wars.

"These days, free-range farming is very trendy, that was more like an assault and battery chicken, wasn't it?"

— Craig Charles to the Robochicken team after the battle

Despite this early exit, its performance and novelty design saw it being nominated for the 'Best Newcomer' and 'Most Original Entry' awards at the end of the series, which it lost to Tornado and Gemini respectively.

"Plucky, brave, fun design, but it had an axe and a flipper too. This was no featherweight, but chickens don't survive when a cat's in the roost."

— Jonathan Pearce, reading Robochicken's nomination for the Best Newcomer award

Series 5

Robochicken-Evo competed in Heat H of the Fifth Wars, and faced newcomer Crushtacean in its first round battle.

Philippa Forrester: "Now, we've got a little natural world theme going on here, because the Crushtacean, the crab-bot, with the pincers, is up against the chicken."

Alec Dick: "The fearsome chicken!"

Philippa Forrester: "I'm sorry, the fearsome chicken."

Alec Dick: "Evil killer chicken."

— The interview with Philippa Forrester before Round 1

Robochicken-Evo flips Crushtacean

It started tentatively, slowly approaching its opponent with the flipping arm, trying to get under its side. Robochicken-Evo flipped Crushtacean onto its side, but Crushtacean fell straight down. Crushtacean tried to get away, but had control problems, spinning on the spot. Robochicken-Evo pushed it as Crushtacean tried driving past the flame pit, with Robochicken-Evo driving over the flame pit. Robochicken-Evo tried to get the flipper under its opponent, but missed its flip. Crushtacean briefly got a hold of Robochicken-Evo, holding onto the metal bar below the flipper whilst the flipper was open. However, Sgt. Bash came in, so Crushtacean let go of Robochicken-Evo and turned away, as Sgt. Bash blocked Robochicken-Evo.

"...the "poultry-powered pecker" and "fowl flipper"? Imagine puns like that on Robot Wars!"

— Jonathan Pearce on Robochicken-Evo

Robochicken-Evo is trapped in the CPZ

The House Robot did not attack, reversing back into the CPZ, and Crushtacean reversed into Robochicken-Evo's flipper. Robochicken-Evo fired the flipper, but missed as it was not under Crushtacean. Crushtacean turned around and grabbed onto the flipper with its claws, but Robochicken-Evo flipped it up, allowing it to get free. Robochicken-Evo spun around over the flame pit, the drove into Sgt. Bash. The House Robot pinned Robochicken-Evo against the wall, before returning to the CPZ as Crushtacean closed in. Crushtacean had some more control problems, spinning on the spot. Robochicken-Evo tried to get the flipper under it, but Crushtacean dodged and turned, getting the claws at Robochicken-Evo's side, grabbing the flipper with one claw and pushing it up the arena. Crushtacean let it go, and Robochicken-Evo got the flipper under it again and tried to flip Crushtacean, but the flipper was under the claws, so Crushtacean was able to get under the flipper. Crushtacean was stuck on the support for the flipper, so reversed off. lifted it up onto its own top. Robochicken-Evo was close to Sir Killalot's CPZ, and the House Robot dragged it into the CPZ and crushed one of its eyes.

Sir Killalot grabs Robochicken-Evo

"...and this is a very difficult battle to gauge, who is going to topple the balance of ... urgh, the natural habitat, down there? Robochicken is pecked by Sir Killalot, and the boggling eyes are still intact, but only just. "Fowl" tackle by Killalot, surely!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Sir Killalot drags Robochicken-Evo into the CPZ and crushes its eye

Sir Killalot let Robochicken-Evo out of the CPZ, and Robochicken-Evo recovered by flipping Crushtacean over, before Crushtacean got under the flipper and shoved Robochicken-Evo into another CPZ, pinning it in the corner. Sgt. Bash came in and pinned Robochicken-Evo against the wall.

"Really tense out there, this is a good tussle. Crushtacean pushes Robochicken into the CPZ, which means now, in comes Sgt. Bash, and I think we were about to have some roast chicken out there! Have they ran out of "c-luck"?"

— Jonathan Pearce

The House Robot blocked Robochicken-Evo's escape as Crushtacean opened the pit. Sgt. Bash allowed Robochicken-Evo to escape the CPZ, but Robochicken-Evo drove straight into Sir Killalot. However, the House Robot did not attack, carrying on into a CPZ, and Robochicken-Evo tried to get under Crushtacean, which was waiting by the flame pit. Crushtacean was able to grab Robochicken-Evo by the flipper after Robochicken-Evo drove at it at the wrong angle. Robochicken-Evo lifted Crushtacean with the flipper, and Crushtacean let go. Crushtacean turned away, but started spinning again, and Robochicken-Evo got the flipper under it. After pushing Crushtacean up the arena, Robochicken-Evo started spinning, allowing Crushtacean to reverse away. However, it spun around again, and Robochicken-Evo nudged it into Sir Killalot. Sir Killalot picked Crushtacean up and spun it around as time ran out.

The battle went to a judges' decision, where the team felt they had a 50-50 chance; the Judges went 2-1 in favour of Crushtacean, eliminating Robochicken-Evo from the Fifth Wars despite a strong performance.

Craig Charles: "Do you feel a little disappointed?"

Alec Dick: "A little bit, I mean, the chicken was flipping good!"

— After the decision

Series 6

Philippa Forrester: "Now, can you do serious damage with this ... thing?"

Alec Dick: "Deadly serious! This is world domination you're looking at here! This is top of the food chain from now on!"

— Pre-first round interview

In its first round melee in Heat B, Robochicken was drawn up against former Tag Team Terror runner-up in Spirit of Scorpion, former Series Semi-Finalist X-Terminator and newcomer Barbaric Response.

"Will they rule the roost with a pecking head and powerful flipper, or will this chuck be plucked, stuffed and roasted?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken attacks Spirit of Scorpion

Robochicken started by spinning, to get the flipper facing forwards. X-Terminator closed in on it, but after X-Terminator drove into it, Robochicken drove up the arena. It drove at Spirit of Scorpion, which was being lifted by Barbaric Response, and got its flipper under it, nearly tipping Spirit of Scorpion onto its side. Robochicken reversed away, and Barbaric Response turned as if intending to attack it, but was pushed down the arena by Spirit of Scorpion. Robochicken kept reversing, but drove into a wall. It quickly turned, got the flipper under Spirit of Scorpion, which had pushed Barbaric Response into the pit release, and lifted it up, allowing Barbaric Response to get off Spirit of Scorpion. X-Terminator charged in, and Robochicken dodged a blow from the axe. X-Terminator's axe became stuck in the floor after this miss. It briefly went after Spirit of Scorpion, but did not attack it, instead turning its attentions on X-Terminator, getting under it whilst it got its axe free from the floor. However, Robochicken turned incorrectly whilst trying to get under X-Terminator, so failed to get the flipper under it properly, then attacked Spirit of Scorpion as it charged at X-Terminator, getting the flipper under it and lifting it up.

"There's the flipper on Robochicken. Seems to be better this time around, Robochicken. Has never really had any great success..."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken is thrown over by X-Terminator

Spirit of Scorpion got down, and X-Terminator axed Robochicken. However, Dead Metal, which was out of its CPZ, grabbed X-Terminator and pulled it away from Robochicken. Robochicken drove around Dead Metal as it attacked Spirit of Scorpion, which had not escaped the CPZ, driving into the two, but then Sir Killalot came into the CPZ and pushed Robochicken out of the CPZ. As Dead Metal let Spirit of Scorpion go, Robochicken tried to get under it, but Spirit of Scorpion drove off the flipper. Robochicken went after Spirit of Scorpion, but drove into Refbot. It then drove into the pit release tyre, despite the pit being open. It drove back at Spirit of Scorpion, but failed to get the flipper under it and missed a flip, so retreated down the arena. X-Terminator charged at it, with Robochicken getting onto the wedge. X-Terminator pushed Robochicken into Dead Metal and flipped it over with its axe. Dead Metal pushed the two out of the CPZ, but Robochicken was stuck on its back.

"Well it's certainly a battery chicken no longer there it seems, because it seems to have run out of power, or am I speaking too soon?"

— Jonathan Pearce.

Robochicken hit by a washing machine

Robochicken tried to use its flipper arm to self-right, but due to its shape, the axe, and a lack of power in its flipper, it could not get itself back over. X-Terminator pushed it a little, then left it, pitting Barbaric Response. X-Terminator then pitted Robochicken, but then Sir Killalot pulled it out of the pit, placing it onto the Drop Zone. Robochicken survived that, as it was back onto its wheels, and as its motors were still working, the machine started spinning around on the spot after "Cease" had been called. The judges ruled that Spirit of Scorpion and Robochicken had been immobilised for too long, before Barbaric Response was pitted by X-Terminator. This meant that X-Terminator and Barbaric Response were put through to the second round, eliminating Robochicken from the competition in the first round again.

"Roasted, toasted, deep fried, whatever you like, this chicken was history wasn't it?"

— Philippa Forrester to the Robochicken team after the battle

Extreme 2

Robochicken partnered up with Bulldog Breed in the Tag Team Terror tournament in the second series of Extreme. The researchers contacted the Bulldog Breed team to suggest the partnership. Bulldog Breed captain Tony Somerfield had originally wanted to team with Bigger Brother, but after thinking about it, decided that the partnership would be worth at least a laugh.

"Making up the team: the growl and the fowl!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken flips Diotoir onto its side

Robochicken attacking Diotoir

The team were unfortunate to find that they would be fighting the reigning Tag Team Terror champions, Pussycat and Diotoir, in the first round. Robochicken had little to do in the first round; Bulldog Breed went out first, quickly flipped Pussycat out of the arena after flipping it around a few times, before flipping Diotoir over onto its back up against the arena side wall, then pushing it onto the flame pit. Bulldog Breed then finally decided to tag Robochicken, allowing them to then come out of the corner. Robochicken pushed it off the flame pit and flipped it against the arena wall, then flipped it against an angle grinder as Refbot came in. Refbot extinguished the flames, and Robochicken came back and pecked Diotoir with the axe. Refbot counted out Diotoir, putting Robochicken and Bulldog Breed through to the Semi-Final round.

"...and that's the most emphatic victory we've seen so far in the Tag Team Terror, it belonged to Bulldog Breed, and Robochicken, we hardly saw that!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Diotoir is counted out

At this stage of the competition, the chicken and the bulldog met previous Tag Team Terror finalist The Steel Avenger with new partner Lightning.

"Gets a bit serious now, the distraction we've still got, still working fine, aren't you lads? They're there to sweep up the mess and peck a few eyes when its all over."

— Tony Somerfield before the battle

Robochicken comes out to help Bulldog Breed

Once again, Bulldog Breed started out first flipping Lightning onto the side wall and tried to flip it out of the arena. Robochicken briefly came out as Lightning was stuck on the wall, but before it could try and help Bulldog Breed, Refbot came in, and Robochicken hurried back to the CPZ. The Steel Avenger helped Lightning off the wall, and Bulldog Breed continued flipping it, then rammed The Steel Avenger into the CPZ where Robochicken was waiting, flipping it onto their tag team partner.

"They have a teammate, Bulldog Breed, called Robochicken. You wouldn't believe it, would you? We haven't seen much of that."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken plucks The Steel Avenger from the ground

Robochicken flipped The Steel Avenger against the wall, but then reversed, allowing The Steel Avenger to escape the CPZ, only to drive into Bulldog Breed. Bulldog Breed flipped The Steel Avenger a couple of times, but it was able to self-right. Robochicken came out of the CPZ and flipped The Steel Avenger up and over. The Steel Avenger self-righted, and tried axing Robochicken, but missed a series of blows. Robochicken got under The Steel Avenger, pushed it to the top of the arena, alongside its fallen partner, and flipped it onto its side. The Steel Avenger could not self-right, putting Bulldog Breed and Robochicken through to the final.

"Robochicken, I think you were a bit carried there, weren't you?"

— Craig Charles to the Robochicken team after the battle

In the Tag-Team Terror final, the duo went up against Hydra and Barbaric Response.

Robochicken pecks at the immobilised Barbaric Response

Bulldog Breed started out first again, against Hydra. Hydra was flipped over by Bulldog Breed, and could not self-right. Barbaric Response came out of its CPZ, flipped Bulldog Breed over, and tried to right Hydra. Bulldog Breed rammed into Hydra, inadvertently righting it. Hydra retreated into the CPZ, and Barbaric Response soon broke down. Robochicken came out of its CPZ, and Bulldog Breed rammed under it. It did not flip, but Robochicken fired the flipper, which became stuck open. Bulldog Breed flipped Hydra over, from which it could not self-right, then reversed Barbaric Response into the CPZ, where Robochicken pecked at it.

"Robochicken, we waited, and we waited to see the attack power of the chicken. Hydra won't have time to self-right, I want to see another powerful, penetrating Robochicken attack."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken is betrayed

Bulldog Breed then turned its partner over whilst Mr. Psycho attacked their beaten opponents. In spite of its minimal contribution to the entire tournament, Robochicken had become one half of the new Tag Team Terror champions.

Craig Charles: "I mean, you [Bulldog Breed] had to do it all on your own, I mean Robochicken, that was good "cluck" indeed! Is it a factory chicken, is it like a battery hen?"

Alec Dick: "It's a battered hen!"

— After the battle

In the post-battle interview, Tony Somerfield mentioned that Robochicken broke down on the way into the arena.

Series 7

"This feather-brained competitor needs more pluck than in three previous wars!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Robochicken enters the arena

Robochicken returned for the Seventh Wars with an improved flipper and a vertical spinning disc; however, the new head was mounted on the hinge of the flipper to act as an axe, so the robot was still unable to self-right. In its first round melee, Robochicken was drawn up against B.O.D., created by the same team who competed with Night Raider in the New Blood Championship, Round 1 dropout from Dutch Robot Wars: Series 2, Tough as Nails and former Annihilator champion Disc-O-Inferno.

Robochicken takes out B.O.D.

B.O.D. drove straight at Robochicken, but the blade stopped on contact with Robochicken. B.O.D. drove into the centre of the arena and stopped moving, whilst Robochicken drove down to the bottom of the arena, past Refbot.

"Robochicken, running away, behind the Refbot."

— Jonathan Pearce

Whilst Tough as Nails grabbed Disc-O-Inferno and dropped it into the pit, Robochicken got under B.O.D. and flipped it over. B.O.D. had no srimech, so could not self-right. Tough as Nails drove at Robochicken, but Robochicken flipped it over before it could grab it. Robochicken tried to get the flipper under one of Tough as Nails' wheels, but missed its flip. Robochicken drove straight into the overturned B.O.D., and when Tough as Nails came towards it, fired the flipper too early. This allowed Tough as Nails to get under the flipper and grab Robochicken.

"Now Tough as Nails has Robochicken! Can they push and drive Robochicken?!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Robochicken is grappled by Tough as Nails

Robochicken is pitted after B.O.D. is counted out

Tough as Nails forced Robochicken to Shunt, which axed it, puncturing the top. Whilst B.O.D. was being counted out, Tough as Nails pushed Robochicken down the arena towards the pit. Robochicken was able to push back as the two neared the pit, staying out of the pit long enough for B.O.D. to be counted out. Robochicken and Tough as Nails continued to push back and forth, and 20 seconds after B.O.D. was counted out, Tough As Nails finally managed to pit Robochicken, but both robots had already qualified for the next round.

"...still Robochicken digs in...just survives...but will make the second round of this heat..."

— Jonathan Pearce, as Robochicken is pitted

The second round battle for Robochicken saw it go up against Mega Morg.

"It's a bit of farm-yard battle, isn't it? Sheep against the chickens!"

— Mark Hooper, looking at the surrounding rubber chickens and inflatable sheep before the fight

Mega Morg temporarily beaches itself up on the arena wall

Robochicken started by dodging Mega Morg as it drove at it, but then turned so its flipper was facing its opponent. Mega Morg tried to get under Robochicken's flipper, but failed, so turned away. As it turned, Robochicken got its flipper under the corner of Mega Morg, but Mega Morg quickly got off, so Robochicken missed its flip. Mega Morg reversed for a charge, then rammed into Robochicken, pushing it towards the wall. As Mega Morg lifted Robochicken, Robochicken turned off the lifter. Mega Morg kept charging, and drove straight into the wall. The lifter was still open, causing it to become stuck on the wall. Mega Morg was soon able to fire the flipper to get itself down. Mega Morg reversed, and Robochicken closed in. Mega Morg charged forwards again, straight into the wall again. It reversed into Robochicken, trying to use its disc, but Robochicken turned away. The two fought again in the centre of the arena, with Mega Morg getting its lifter under Robochicken's flipper. However, it only succeeded in lifting up the flipper, and Robochicken reversed away. Robochicken drove back at Mega Morg and tried to flip it, but the flipper wasn't under Mega Morg properly, so it only managed to flick it up a little. Robochicken turned around for another attack and charged at Mega Morg, but its flipper was still open. After getting side-on with each other, both machines turned around for another attack. This time, Robochicken was able to flip Mega Morg clean over. Because it was flipped from the front and not the side, it was not able to roll over.

"Robochicken gets the full thrust of the flip, Mega Morg is over, can they self-right? This is gonna be a problem for them. Robochicken I think has won it here."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken flips Mega Morg

Robochicken hit the sides of Mega Morg with the rooster rotavator, which caused it to rock, but not enough to roll over. Robochicken opened the pit, and Mega Morg was counted out by Refbot. Mr. Psycho hammered it. Mr. Psycho then carried Mega Morg over to the drop zone, where a washing machine was dropped on it.

Craig Charles: "Your flipper's working well!"

Alec Dick: "Yeah, it's not too bad, we just need it to come down a bit faster, but it's getting better."

— Post-battle interview

This put Robochicken through to its Heat Final, where it was drawn up against Tough as Nails again.

"We'll probably go in and throw our eyeballs at him, that's usually a good tactic. We're gonna try and get him over the edge, best way."

— Alec Dick's tactics

Robochicken makes a strong start to proceedings

Robochicken drove straight at Tough as Nails, getting under it as it tried to turn away, and flipping it. This had no effect on the invertible Tough as Nails, and when Robochicken tried to get under it again, Tough as Nails drove away. Robochicken chased after it, and flipped it over. Tough as Nails drove around Robochicken, but then turned around, planning to grab Robochicken. and Robochicken got under it again, flipping it over again.

"Will they, though, have left all their eggs in one basket by getting in too many flips early on?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Tough as Nails got Robochicken in the crusher and pushed to Shunt, but Shunt's axe came between the two competitors, allowing Robochicken to get free. Robochicken tried to get under the side of Tough as Nails, but failed to, so its flip missed. Tough as Nails got under the flipper as its closed, grabbing Robochicken and pushing it into the wall. Robochicken managed to get away from the wall, got the flipper under Tough as Nails' wheel, pushed it to the wall, and flipped it onto the angle grinder. Tough as Nails got off the angle grinder, but Robochicken followed. Tough as Nails drove down the arena and opened the pit, and Robochicken flicked it up.

"Robochicken could be on the verge, here, of a very famous victory."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken attempts to topple Tough as Nails over the arena wall

Tough as Nails drove up the arena, with Robochicken following it. After Tough as Nails drove into Sir Killalot, who was out of his CPZ, Robochicken got under Tough as Nails, but Tough as Nails was able to turn off of the flipper, so Robochicken missed another flip. Tough as Nails tried to escape to the other side of the arena, but drove into Sir Killalot again, and Robochicken got under it. Robochicken slammed Tough as Nails against an angle grinder and tried to flip it out, but Tough as Nails merely slipped off the flipper as it fired. Tough as Nails tried to get away, but drove into the wall in the top CPZ. Robochicken got under it again, but only lifted it up.

"Tough as Nails, up against it. I thought it would all be over by now, this is brilliant stuff by Robochicken. They've been the best machine in this Heat Final for me."

— Jonathan Pearce

Robochicken feels the full force of Shunt's axe

Tough as Nails got out of the CPZ, with Robochicken in close pursuit, and Robochicken missed another flip. Robochicken turned around for another charge, but as it tried to get under Tough as Nails again, Tough as Nails closed the crusher, pushing Robochicken back as the claws slid off the sides. Robochicken drove close to the arena wall, and Tough as Nails grabbed it. However, the way it had grabbed Robochicken left one of its wheels off the ground, so it was unable to pull Robochicken. Tough as Nails let go and Robochicken got away from the wall. Tough as Nails soon caught up with it, grabbed it and pushed it into Shunt's CPZ. Shunt lifted and axed Robochicken, but both competitors drove away from the CPZ as Sir Killalot came in. Robochicken tried attacking Tough as Nails with its disc, but Tough as Nails grabbed it in the crusher and pushed it down the arena.

"Robochicken, you can see the damage there, and I think they expended too energy early on without managing to finish off Tough as Nails. Suddenly, the heat final has turned, hasn't it."

— Jonathan Pearce

Tough as Nails almost pits its opponent

Tough as Nails tried to push Robochicken into the pit, but Robochicken managed to pull Tough as Nails away in time. Tough as Nails pushed Robochicken into Shunt's CPZ, but drove into Shunt itself, and was axed just as time ran out.

"It'll go to the judges, which I think is splendid, oh please go to the judges, just survive Robochicken! They deserve that! Tough as Nails finishing, perhaps in the ascendancy, but oh what a good final! And that's going to be very close because of all the work Robochicken did early on."

— Jonathan Pearce in the last few seconds

The fight with the judges, and despite Robochicken's early dominance, the decision went in favour of Tough as Nails, eliminating Robochicken from the competition after such a promising run.

"It was very close. We noticed as we powered up that we had a bit of a gas leak, so we thought "We better get out there quickly, throw them over as much as possible, try and get them out of the arena" - it nearly happened."

— Alec Dick to Craig Charles after the battle

Robochicken also took part in the Annihilator at the end of the series, where it was put up against recent Semi-Finalist Raging Knightmare, American representative Flippa, Team Roaming Robots' new robot Ripper, Ewe 2 and the reigning Annihilator champion Kan-Opener. Jonathan Pearce considered Robochicken to be one of the favourites, due to its experience and what it achieved in the corresponding main competition. The team removed the head in hopes that Robochicken would be able to self-right without it.

Alec Dick: "We've got this cunning plan, we're going to remove the head from the chicken, and go in there, and nobody will recognise us!"

Jayne Middlemiss: "You're telling me you're going in there as a headless chicken?"

Jason Snow: "That's the best way!"

— The team explain their Annihilator plans to Jayne Middlemiss

Ripper (background) flips Robochicken over

Kan-Opener pushes Robochicken towards the wall

However, they never got a chance to test it, as in the first round, the robot broke down almost immediately. Ripper quickly flipped Robochicken over onto its back, and with no power, Robochicken was immobilised. Ewe 2 was almost flipped out of the arena by Ripper, and was propped on the arena wall, on top of a similarly immobilised Flippa. However, eventually, Robochicken was brought over close to the arena side wall by Kan-Opener, still upside down. Raging Knightmare pushed it even closer to the wall and tried to flip it, but turned at the wrong moment and missed, before being attacked by Kan-Opener.

"Robochicken, they went over very early on; dented, bruised, battered, are they still working?"

— Jonathan Pearce

The three immobile robots by the side wall

Robochicken is counted out

Robochicken was counted out by the Refbot. 'Cease' was called after the count was complete, and Robochicken was eliminated from the Annihilator, despite Kan-Opener then bringing Ewe 2 off the arena wall and pitting it.

"Well, we had this cunning plan that if we took our head off...it would self-right, lovely, but it didn't, didn't even work"

— Alec Dick explains their plans more seriously, post-battle

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 6
• Losses: 5

Series Record

Main Series	Robochicken Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
The Third Wars	Not selected with Doomsday
The Fourth Wars	Heat, Round 2
The Fifth Wars	Heat, Round 1
The Sixth Wars	Heat, Round 1
The Seventh Wars	Heat Final
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Did not enter
Series 2	Tag Team Terror Champion

Gallery

The Series 4 Robochicken without its armour

The Series 4 Robochicken before being painted

Robochicken shortly before Series 4

Robochicken in the arena for Round 2, Series 4

Robochicken-Evo without its shell

Robochicken-Evo before Series 5

Robochicken on the cover of Robot Wars: The Official Magazine (Issue 6)

Official photo for Extreme 2

Official Series 7 photo

Robochicken (and Panic Attack) in the pits in Series 7

Robochicken in the first round of Series 7

Robochicken in the second round of Series 7

Outside Robot Wars

Jason Snow's Tag Team Terror trophy

Following Series 7, Robochicken was stripped down in preparation for a rebuild ahead of a prospective Series 8 of Robot Wars, but due to the cancellation of the show, the team never began on the new Robochicken model. Parts of the robot such as its wheels, motors and electronics were since scattered amongst the three team members and some disappeared completely after Jason Snow moved house. Jason, however, still owns his Tag Team Terror championship trophy from Extreme 2.

Trivia

• In both even-numbered series it took part in (Series 4 and 6), Robochicken fought in Heat B of the main competition.
• In both odd-numbered series it took part in (Series 5 and 7), Robochicken was eliminated via a judges' decision.
• Robochicken fought a seeded machine in both of its battles in Series 4, but never in any other series afterwards, even in side competitions and Robot Wars Extreme.
• Every robot to beat Robochicken in the main competition was knocked out by a seeded robot later in the competition.
• Robochicken was the first robot to be hit with an item from the Drop Zone in the UK series.
• If Robochicken had won its Series 7 Heat Final against Tough as Nails, it would have fought its Tag Team partner Bulldog Breed.
• According to Jason Snow, the idea of Robochicken came as a result of the team's failure to qualify for Series 3 with Doomsday as they were told that they 'needed to be interesting and visually good for TV'. Robochicken was thought up by one of the members 'after a few beers' when they got back from the Series 3 auditions.
• Robochicken only got past the first round of the main competition when Phillipa Forrester wasn't the pit reporter.

Honours

Nominations

• Most Original Entry - Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars
• Best Newcomer - Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars

External Links

• The Robochicken website (archived)