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Gladiator Rodney was an autonomous robot which appeared in the 1996 US Robot Wars competition. One of only two of its kind to be functional at this event, along with Smart Spike, it emerged victorious against the latter after using its scoop to ram it.[5][6] Returning for the 1997 competition as Gladiator Rodney II, it fought Thumper in another one-off head-to-head, though its lengthy boot-up times and lack of srimech proved decisive in it losing the title.

Though classified as a middleweight, the Team Spike website claims that Gladiator Rodney competed as a heavyweight.[2][6]

Design[]

Sporting a red paint scheme, Gladiator Rodney was a tall, yet compact box-shaped robot with two drive wheels, a 'simple' metal chassis and a few armor plates. The front of the robot was fitted with a hinged aluminum scoop, which was attached to a gearmotor to potentially lift and turn opponents over.[6] This made Gladiator Rodney an early example of a robot featuring a lifting scoop, a weapon type later equipped on House Robot Shunt and UK Series veteran Behemoth in televised Robot Wars series.

Gladiator Rodney's internals were repurposed from an x86 computer, incorporating a 386x microprocessor and a PCL-725 relay I/O board. The PCL-725 featured a total of eight SPST relay outputs and eight 'opto-isolated digital inputs', allowing the robot to 'read' and 'write' from an I/O address for drive and weapon functionality. A custom 'mobility sensor' was also developed, this being a modified caster wheel with magnets and a RadioShack reed contact switch. The system operated in conjunction with the infrared (IR) beacons and receivers mandated in the 'Autonomous' category; the latter forming a pair of 'eyes' allowing Gladiator Rodney to track its opponents.[4]

The lifting mechanism for Gladiator Rodney's scoop was designed to incorporate an 'actuated chainsaw' as a more damaging primary weapon. The scoop would be raised at the beginning of fights; upon sensing opponents nearby, it would lower and the chainsaw activate, the scoop rising again upon making contact with the other robot. The chainsaw would be utilized at the 1997 event, though Gladiator Rodney II would maintain a largely unchanged appearance over its original iteration. Camp Peavy adds that, for a 'home' application, the scoop could be made interchangeable with a 'gripper' or a vacuum cleaner.[4]

Much of Gladiator Rodney's wiring and sensory equipment - themselves allegedly assembled on solderless breadboards - was placed on the top, making those components largely unprotected against possible overhead attacks or impacts against arena hazards. The nature in which the equipment was attached gave the appearance of a 'temporary' construction according to Team Spike.[6]

Robot History[]

1996 US Championship[]

As one of two autonomous robots that were able to function at the 1996 US competition, Gladiator Rodney faced Smart Spike in a one-off head-to-head clash. Technical issues prevented both robots from approaching and attacking each other, a scenario which lasted for several minutes. Gladiator Rodney, having had its scoop raised for the majority of the match, finally engaged once Smart Spike caught itself in a mousetrap net. It lowered and then used its scoop to ram the back of Smart Spike, which was enough to make it the winner of the Autonomous match.[5][6]

1997 US Championship[]

Returning for the 1997 competition, Gladiator Rodney II fought Thumper to defend its Autonomous class title.

During the opening seconds, however, its computer-derived motherboard was still booting up, leaving it stationary as the microcontroller-operated Thumper began moving from the other side of the arena. Thumper approached, pushed and tipped Gladiator Rodney II onto its back end, before holding it in place as it rocked back. After being spun and held in place for a few more seconds, Gladiator Rodney II avoided two of its opponent's lifting attempts. However, it was turned onto its side by Thumper's third lift, and was left unable to self-right, losing the 1997 Autonomous battle to Bob Gross' machine.[7][8]

Results[]

GLADIATOR RODNEY - RESULTS
1996 US Championship
Other Battles
Autonomous
Autonomous vs. Smart Spike Won
1997 US Championship
Other Battles
Autonomous
Autonomous vs. Thumper Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 1
  • Losses: 1

Series Record[]

Events Gladiator Rodney Event Record
1994 Did not enter
1995 Did not enter
1996 Autonomous Champion
1997 Autonomous Battle as Gladiator Rodney II

Outside Robot Wars[]

Team CyberBeast created a 'sparring partner' for Gladiator Rodney, Blue Lightning, which had different wheels and a generally wider and lower body shape. In place of the scoop, it was armed with a rotating drill, though no further information on this robot is available.[4] An additional robot - Bugsey - was also created, featuring a two-wheel drive system and a simple battering ram.[9][10]

Following its Robot Wars appearances, Gladiator Rodney received the San Francisco Robotics Society's 'Most Intelligent Robot' award in 1998.[1]

Honours[]


References[]

External Links[]

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