Flensburger Power

Flensburger Power
Participation Information
UK Series	Extreme 1
US Season	1
German Series	1
Team Information
Team	TeaM HighVoltaGe
Team Members	Michael Schnoor Anita Jessen Andre Bruske
From	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein
Other Entries	Phoenix (German series, withdrew)
Robot Statistics
Weight	92kg/202lbs
Dimensions	1.0m x 0.5m x 0.3m
Top Speed	6mph
Power	6x 12V Panasonic batteries
Drive	2x 24V Bosch 115 windscreen wiper motors
Weapons	Wheel cutters & spears
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"Flensburger's weapons may not look like the most fearsome in the championship, but it does have entertaining light and sound effects."

— Robot Wars Extreme: The Official Guide

Flensburger Power was a German competitor robot which fought exclusively in the first series of Robot Wars Extreme, having been built for a German series of the show by employees of Stadtwerk, Flensburg. It fought in the German Melee, as well as representing its country in the International Mayhem and The Second World Championship events, but lost all three of its battles.

Although Flensburger Power did not enter the televised series of German Robot Wars, the German Melee which it fought in was broadcast as part of the first heat of that series. The team instead attempted to enter the German series with Phoenix, but ultimately Phoenix did not compete either.

Design

Flensburger Power in the arena

Flensburger Power was a large green box-wedge-shaped robot with a front wedge and armed with two weapons - an electrically-powered extending front-mounted spear at the front, built into the wedge and two spinning wheel cutters at the back. The robot was armoured in 3mm thick vanadium sheets and was powered by two 115 Watt Bosch windscreen wiper motors on 24 Volts, powered by six Panasonic batteries rated at 12V which separately provided power to each engine. The robot used a Robbe Futuba Navy F-14 remote control and had four wheels, two at the front to steer, and two driving wheels at the back powered by motors.

"The power of the engines was transferred to the wheel axles with toothed belts. Each of the two engines was individually controlled, which achieved a support of the steering movement. Both engines had their own power supply of 24 volts (2 x 12 volt batteries in series). The other 2 batteries were used to power the weapons and effects."

— Flensburger Power website (translated from German)

However, the robot was rather sluggish with a top speed of 6mph (though the team's website listed a slightly higher top speed of approximately between 7 and 9 mph), and its weapons did not seem to be effective. The robot also lost mobility entirely under minimal pressure in two out of three fights. For additional effects, a siren was built into Flensburger Power to create sounds, alongside flashing lights.

"We had to go through an odyssey when choosing the motors. Sometimes we had a good motor, but we needed two, sometimes we had two that we didn't need. When we finally couldn't find what we were looking for in the model making section, we went to the automotive section and quickly found what we were looking for. We bought two 115W Bosch truck windshield wiper motors from a very competent auto electrics specialist. They could generate the necessary torque to move 91.6 kg. That was the biggest problem and took up most of our time. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time for the weapons, so our robot with two cutting discs and an extendable spearhead remained more defensive and shone more through its thoroughly robust and solid construction, especially the 3mm thick vanadium sheets, which were our pride and joy."

— Flensburger Power website on the robot's construction (Translated from German)

The Team

"We found out on RTL that they were looking for German teams to produce a German Robotwars championship. We took our idea to our training manager, Mr. Böddeker, and department head, Mr. Jessen, and when they agreed, we still had to convince our head of department, Mr. Arp. Since we needed more precise planning for this, we got to work and gathered materials from catalogs and discussed basic technical questions. Once the rough framework had been set and the technical and financial conditions had been clarified, we went to Mr. Arp with our project proposal."

— Flensburger Power website (Translated from German)

Team HighVoltage

Flensburger Power was entered by Team HighVoltaGe, a team from Flensburg in Germany who worked together as trainees at the Flensburg Municipal Utility Company, and built the robot as part of a training project approved by the company. The robot was partially built at the company's turning shop and sheet metal workshop with help from other members of staff.

"We had never built a model before and had no idea how to build a motor mount, a steering system, a wheel suspension or how a speed controller works. So we first got information from colleagues who have experience in model building and we would like to thank them again at this point. We slowly got an idea of ​​how to proceed. We decided to build the robot piece by piece. We started with a rectangular base plate."

— Flensburger Power website (Translated from German)

The robot was driven by Michael Schnoor, who did the pre-battle interviews as he also spoke English. He was credited on the statistics board as being the team captain, but the team's website claims the team were equals, and that Anita Jessen largely helped the team reach decisions.

"In our team, Michael was always allowed to represent the team externally and lead negotiations with the English, but as soon as it came to the robot, we were all on equal terms. Anita's point of view always mediated between Andrés' and Michael's opinions and we then agreed on her point of view. In this respect, Anita and not Michael was actually the team captain."

— Flensburger Power website (Translated from German)

Qualification

Flensburger Power at the filming of Robot Wars Extreme

After RTL announced a series of Robot Wars which would air in Germany, to be filmed concurrently with the fifth UK series and first Dutch series, Flensburger Power was built ahead of the deadline and was ready to compete. However, as Flensburger Power was one of only four applicants for the series, filming for a dedicated German series was cancelled due to the lack of entries. Flensburger Power was, however, invited to compete in the various international battles of Robot Wars Extreme in the United Kingdom, alongside the other three series applicants.

When RTL attempted to film another German series of Robot Wars one year later, the team were registered to enter with a new robot named Phoenix, but withdrew before the competition began.

Robot History

Extreme 1

"The most exciting part of the whole undertaking was of course the battles. It is simply unbelievably exciting when you drive your robot into the spotlight. Then you go up to the team balcony, which is covered with plexiglass and from which you can overlook the "battlefield". There you wait until you hear: "Roboteers stand by! 3-2-1 ACTIVATE!!!""

— Flensburger Power website

Matilda herds both Flensburger Power and MaxiMill

Flensburger Power took part in the International Inferno, representing Germany by taking on Panic Attack from the UK, Civil War champion Manta from the USA, and MaxiMill from the Netherlands. From the very beginning of the battle, Flensburger Power was pushed around by Panic Attack's forks. Flensburger Power finally got away after around 30 seconds of being pushed, only to break down immediately over the flame pit. Later on in the battle, Flensburger was put on the Floor Flipper and flipped onto MaxiMill as "Cease" was called, Panic Attack the victor.

Flensburger Power wedges under Nasty Warrior

Flensburger Power's next appearance was in later took part in the German Melee against Nasty Warrior, Golem, and Ansgar, which was also later broadcast during German Robot Wars. Flensburger Power started the battle by wedging under Ansgar, but it got off by flailing its lifter around. After bumping up against Nasty Warrior and Ansgar, very little was seen of Flensburger Power until it wedged under Nasty Warrior, but the wooden robot got off quickly. Despite seeming immobile for a good period of time, Flensburger Power made it to a Judges' Decision along with Nasty Warrior and Ansgar, with Ansgar winning the decision and the right to compete in the upcoming World Championship tournament.

"The motor comes from a windscreen wiper, it has a dazzling lights display... but I don't see it illuminating these proceedings... "

— Jonathan Pearce's thoughts on Flensburger Power, as it enters the arena during The Second World Championship

Flensburger Power is beaten by Diotoir

Flensburger Power is counted out

Matilda throws Flensburger Power over

Razer crushes Flensburger Power as the battle draws to an end

Despite losing both its battles convincingly in the first series of Extreme, Flensburger Power was given a wildcard to represent Germany in the Second World Championship along with German Melee winner Ansgar, which was also broadcast as part of the first season of Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors. In the first round, it was drawn up against Diotoir from Ireland, Extreme Warriors: Season 1 runner-up The Revolutionist from the USA, and the reigning World and International champion, Razer. Flensburger Power's slow top speed was immediately exploited as Diotoir quickly pushed it around the arena and into the claws of Sir Killalot. This minor blow appeared to immobilize Flensburger Power as it was then counted out by Refbot and hit extremely hard by Matilda, throwing it over as the battle ended.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 3

Series Record

UK Series

Main Series	Flensburger Power Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
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
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Entered
Series 2	Did not enter

German Series

German Series	Flensburger Power Series Record
German Robot Wars	Withdrew with Phoenix

NOTE: Flensburger Power initially applied for a series of German Robot Wars in 2001, which was later cancelled. Flensburger Power's appearance in the German Melee was broadcast during Episode 1 of the 2002 German Robot Wars.

Gallery

Flensburger Power in the pits

Flensburger Power without its shell

Flensburger and The Revolutionist at the gateway ready for the Second World Champonship

Flensburger Power alongside Nasty Warrior as they prepare to enter the arena for the German Melee

Trivia

• Flensburger Power was mispronounced as "Flensburg Power" by Robot Wars arena announcer Stuart McDonald during all of its appearances in Extreme 1. However, its name was pronounced correctly when the German Melee was shown as part of German Robot Wars.
• All of Flensburger Power's appearances in Extreme 1 were in the same episode as Firestorm.
• All of Flensburger Power's battles featured Matilda as one of the House Robots.
• In all of its appearances, Flensburger Power never shared the arena with Dead Metal or Sgt. Bash despite them both appearing in all episodes that Flensburger Power featured in.
• Golem, MaxiMill and Nasty Warrior are the only three of the robots that Flensburger Power fought which did not take part in a World Championship Tournament.
• Flensburger Power is the first robot named after its hometown. The other is The Hassocks Hog.

External Links

• Flensburger Power website (archived)