Gi-Ant-O

Gi-Ant-O
Participation Information
UK Series	7, Extreme 2
Other Names	Gianto
Team Information
Team	Team Terrafonics
Team Members	Craig Danby Chris Danby
Robot Statistics
Weight	3kg (Extreme 2)
Power	24v
Weapons	Rotary Blade
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Gi-Ant-O was a featherweight entry from Team Terrafonics, now known as Team Danby, which competed in the Featherweight Championships of the second series of Robot Wars Extreme and the seventh series of Robot Wars. Two different versions of Gi-Ant-O competed in either series, with neither progressing beyond the first round.

Versions of Gi-Ant-O

There were two versions of Gi-Ant-O which shared the same name, but were completely different from each other.

Gi-Ant-O (Extreme 2)

"Gi-Ant-O looks so itty-bitty in the claws of Killalot."

— Jonathan Pearce before Sir Killalot drops the tiny Gi-Ant-O out of the arena

Gi-Ant-O as it was meant to have appeared in Extreme 2

Gi-Ant-O in the arena for Extreme

The Extreme 2 version of Gi-Ant-O was originally supposed to more closely resemble Craig Danby's heavyweight TX-108, featuring a wedge made from aluminium and steel as well as a crushing arm powered by a windscreen wiper motor. It was also covered in pink fur on top. However, it broke down before Gi-Ant-O was due to compete in the Featherweight Championship.

This substitute version of Gi-Ant-O was essentially a tiny 3kg Lynxmotion sumo robot kit which was originally used for driving practice. It featured two wheels, transparent armour and a tall wedge, but its weight disadvantage and lack of weaponry made it considerably less effective than its opponents.

Gi-Ant-O (Series 7)

Gi-Ant-O in the pits for Series 7

The version of Gi-Ant-O that appeared in Series 7 was a box-shaped robot with two wheels, transparent armour and a top-mounted horizontal spinning bar which gave it a passing resemblance to three-time BattleBots middleweight champion Hazard. Not much of its spinning bar weapon was seen, however, as Gi-Ant-O suffered drive problems in the early stages of its only fight, and its wheels were highly exposed.

Humorously, the robot's spinning bar was covered with a pair of socks in the pits, as safety protection.

Robot History

Extreme 2

In Extreme 2, Gi-Ant-O was up against AM CVn, Argh!, Bernard, Eddy Evolution, Katnip and walkerbot Neoteric in the heats.

Gi-Ant-O avoids early trouble from Neoteric

The tiny sumobot was ineffective against its much larger opponents, and it also struggled for mobility, spinning around in a circle near the Floor Spinner, but it did dodge an initial attack from Neoteric.

"Gi-Ant-O looked lonesome as Neoteric, Argh!, Katnip and AM CV fought on."

— Jonathan Pearce notes Gi-Ant-O's lack of action

Gi-Ant-O is dumped out of the arena

Later on though, one blow from Neoteric's disc knocked Gi-Ant-O out, just as AM CVn was, before being attacked by Katnip. After being counted out by Refbot, Gi-Ant-O returned to life and was able to avoid Sir Killalot for four minutes, before the House Robot grabbed the 3kg machine and dropped it over the arena side wall, eliminating it from the competition and completely destroying Gi-Ant-O.

"We avoided Sir K for 4 mins before he finally got me."

— Craig Danby on what happened to Gi-Ant-O after it was counted out

Series 7

In the final heat of the competition, Gi-Ant-O faced former featherweight finalist Micro Mute, as well as Rampage 2 and Whipper, a smaller cast than previous Featherweight Melees.

Gi-Ant-O struggles for movement next to Rampage 2 and Whipper

At the beginning, while Rampage 2 and Whipper clashed together and Micro Mute fell foul of Sir Killalot, Gi-Ant-O was largely anonymous. It appeared to have lost drive to its right side almost immediately, as it spent practically the entire match driving around in circles. Then, the sparring Rampage and Whipper drove near Gi-Ant-O, and while Gi-Ant-O delivered a hit to Rampage 2's side, it caused almost no damage.

"Gi-Ant-O's blade, I don't think, is gonna cause any damage whatsoever to Rampage 2."

— Jonathan Pearce

Gi-Ant-O was then almost rammed by an out-of-control Micro Mute, before it was pushed aside by Sir Killalot, who proceeded to attack the counted out Micro Mute. At this point, Gi-Ant-O's blade slowed down to a halt, and it was counted out by Refbot due to it not being fully mobile, despite Whipper also being immobilised.

Gi-Ant-O's hopes come to an end

"Gi-Ant-O's still in there... but not for much longer! Gi-Ant-O's helicopter blade, slowly spinning into submission."

— Jonathan Pearce

As Micro Mute had already been counted out and pitted, cease was called. According to Craig Danby, this version of Gi-Ant-O burst into flames.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 2

Series Record

Main Series	Gi-Ant-O Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Featherweight Championship with Deadline
The Third Wars	Super Heavyweight Championship with Toxin (event cancelled)
The Fourth Wars	Failed to qualify with Vindicare
The Fifth Wars	Failed to qualify with TX-108
The Sixth Wars	Failed to qualify with TX-108
The Seventh Wars	Featherweight Championship, Round 1 Unused reserve, Tanto Failed to qualify with TX-108
Series 8	Entered with Foxic Not selected with Apex
Series 9	Entered with Foxic (Team Danby) Entered with Apex (Team Terrafonics)
Series 10	Entered with Apex Not selected with Foxic
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Entered with TX-108 (unaired) Entered with Anto
Series 2	Featherweight Championship, Round 1

• NOTE 1: Tanto, a robot built by Team Danby, also competed in the untelevised Series 8 Pilot under Team Immersion.
• NOTE 2: Craig Danby also competed in Battle of the Stars as mentor for The Cat.

Outside Robot Wars

One of the Sumobots that G-Ant-O substituted with

Shane Lale's GiAnto (Giant Anto) in 2014

Because both versions of Gi-Ant-O were destroyed or seriously damaged, Craig Danby did not build a new version of Gi-Ant-O after Robot Wars. However, Shane Lale converted an old Roaming Robots kitbot House Robot called KX into a featherweight called GiAnto (Giant Anto) in 2014, which he entered into the UK Featherweight championships. It was eliminated in the second round after Beauty 2 flipped it out of the arena, and it was then flipped out the arena again by Explosion in the Losers' Melee.

Trivia

• By competing in the Series 2 Featherweight Championship with Deadline and the competitions of Extreme 2 and Series 7 with Gi-Ant-O, Team Terrafonics competed in more Robot Wars featherweight competitions than any other team, only being absent from the Extreme 1 competition.
• Gi-Ant-O and Kitty were the only robots to lose in the first round of the Featherweight Championship in both Extreme 2 and Series 7.