Judge Mech

Judge Mech
Participation Information
UK Series	3-4 (not selected/ failed to qualify)
Team Information
Team Members	Jon Witte Pete Birch
From	Norwich
Other Entries	Pain (Series 2) Spam (Series 6)
Robot Statistics
Weapons	Spinning Drum
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Judge Mech was a competitor robot that attempted to qualify for Series 3 and 4 of Robot Wars. However, it was unsuccessful in both of its qualifying attempts.

Judge Mech was designed and built by Jon Witte and Pete Birch, who had previously entered Series 2 with Pain, which withdrew after breaking down twice before its Gauntlet run. After a long absence from Robot Wars, the team entered Series 6 with Spam, which reached the second round.

Design

The original CAD drawing for Judge Mech

Judge Mech was a compact, blue, invertible tracked robot similar in design and appearance to Tridentate. It was originally armed with a static spike that only caused minimal damage, which was replaced with a drum for Series 4. However, the drum failed to work in its Series 4 qualifier, contributing to its loss.

Many of Judge Mech's parts, including the weapon, tracks and mechanics, were salvaged from its predecessor, Pain, which could possibly explain the robot's poor reliability in its qualifier battle.

Qualification

Judge Mech initially attended auditions for Series 2 alongside Pain, but for unknown reasons, failed to qualify.

Judge Mech attempted to qualify for Series 3, but a disappointing run in the assault course saw it not get selected for the main competition. However, Judge Mech was selected to take part in the Robotic Soccer Competition, but due to a behind-the-scenes accident causing a delay in filming, Judge Mech was dropped from the competition and was ultimately not substituted to the Pinball Competition either.

Judge Mech would then attempt to qualify for Series 4 the following year. In its qualifier battle, Judge Mech fought Arnold, Arnold Terminegger. Judge Mech's drum weapon failed to work and it was dominated by Arnold, Arnold Terminegger, being lifted, pushed and flipped over. Eventually, Judge Mech broke down after being rammed against the arena wall by Arnold, Arnold Terminegger and was subsequently immobilised. Judge Mech lost its qualifier and failed to qualify for Series 4 as a result.

Series Record

Series	Judge Mech Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Entered with Pain
The Third Wars	Not selected for main competition Entered Robot Soccer Championship (dropped from the competition)
The Fourth Wars	Failed to qualify
The Fifth Wars	Withdrew from qualifiers with Spam
The Sixth Wars	Entered with Spam
The Seventh Wars	Did not enter
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter

Outside Robot Wars

Judge Mech in the pits at the Debenham Robot Rumble 2000 event

Judge Mech, armed with its drum, fighting Henry 2 at the Debenham Robot Rumble 2000

After failing to qualify for Series 4, Judge Mech appeared at the Debenham Robot Rumble event in 2000, where it was armed with its drum weapon at the front. However, it lost its only battle against Henry 2.

Judge Mech's chassis being destroyed at Oundle Mill in 2001

Judge Mech (top) is crushed and lifted by Anthrax

Judge Mech's twisted chassis is further wrecked by Chaos 2 and The Steel Avenger

Jon Witte brought the chassis of the now retired Judge Mech to a live event at Oundle Mill in 2001, mostly to be destroyed by other competitors. Judge Mech's chassis was ultimately damaged beyond repair by the likes of Anthrax, Chaos 2, Dominator 2, The Executioner, The Steel Avenger and Shredder. Its chassis was presumably scrapped afterwards. During this exhibition scrap, a piece of Judge Mech's armour was sent flying from an attack by Shredder's discs. This incident ultimately enforced the 'No Spinners' rule for live events due to health and safety concerns.

Trivia

• Jon Witte was part of The Steering Committee.