- "They think they have a kater's nine lives, but Kater Killers eat leaves, and this could leave early!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's predictions for Kater Killer in Series 4
Kater Killer was a tracked box-wedge shaped robot which was entered by Team KaterKiller in Series 3 and 4 of Robot Wars. Kater Killer lost in the first round of both series it fought in, and also competed in the Sumo Basho competition, finishing in 6th place.
Kater Killer's name was a play on 'caterpillar', after its caterpillar tracks, combined with a cat theme, used more strongly in the robot's successor, Kat 3.
Versions of Kater Killer
Kater Killer (Series 3)
Kater Killer in Series 3
The first version of the robot, which featured reverse-angled caterpillar tracks took 3 months to build and was quite lightweight as it was made from aluminium, being seven kilograms below the maximum weight allowance. This version of Kater Killer was powered by fan belts from an old truck and had a painted shell, and it was armed with thick spikes beneath the tracks, as well as a pneumatic spike that shot from the robot's mouth.
- "The paintwork was done by my girlfriend last night."
- — Keith Williams
Kater Killer (Series 4)
Kater Killer in the arena
Kater Killer with its team in the pits at the Fourth Wars
The robot largely resembled Series 2 Competitor Robo Doc in its second appearance, with clear macrolane armour - the same kind used to protect the audience from flying debris - and a heavier chassis. The teethed metal tracks were replaced with rubber ones. Kater Killer's new weaponry consisted of a spiked lifting arm at the front, capable of lifting 130 stone and powered by two 7500 Newton electric rams, along with a set of small spikes at the back, where it also had a fake cat's tail attached for comedic value. Throughout much of Series 4, the tail could also be seen hanging off the back of House Robot Sir Killalot.
Qualification
The original version of Kater Killer was selected for Series 3 after taking part in the obstacle course trial. The new version of Kater Killer entered the live qualification tour for Series 4, where it was defeated by Charybdis. However, despite losing the battle, Kater Killer was given a discretionary place in the series, while Charybdis remained only a reserve.
Robot History
Series 3
In Round 1 of the Third Wars, Kater Killer was up against previous Semi-Finalists Napalm, in Heat G.
Kater Killer and Napalm try to ram each other
Kater Killer avoids the Pit
Both robots looked rather sluggish as Napalm rammed Kater Killer. Napalm then managed to reverse into Kater Killer and pushed it around the arena and almost into the pit, but Kater Killer steered away just in time. The rest of the battle was mainly both robots trying to push each other around. In the end, the Judges decided that Napalm was the winner, eliminating Kater Killer from the competition.
Series 4
The new version of Kater Killer was put up against the 8th seeds Gemini and newcomers Tornado in Round 1 of Series 4, where it was overshadowed by the former and not acknowledged for appearing in the previous series.
Tornado shunts Kater Killer into Gemini
Kater Killer attempts to self-right
Kater Killer was immediately slammed into the arena wall by Tornado, but escaped Sir Killalot. Tornado attacked again, while Gemini flipped Kater Killer over, and it could not use its lifting arm to self right.
- "Has the lifting arm, can it self right? I don't think so."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Shortly afterwards it was righted by Tornado, but the lifting arm was jammed and the robot was completely immobile. Tornado was later pitted, and the Kater Killer team began to celebrate, but by then it was too late for Kater Killer, as it had been immobile for too long.
Kater Killer hangs on the edge
Kater Killer later entered the Sumo Basho tournament, pitting it against Shunt. Kater Killer's tracks should have given an advantage with extra traction, but Kater Killer exposed its side, easily allowing Shunt to push one track off of the platform. It was fortunate for Kater Killer that Shunt took its time in adjusting its position before finally pushing it off. Overall, Kater Killer lasted 14.03 seconds, giving it a respectable 6th place, even if much of that time was elapsed with Kater Killer on the edge of the ring, immobile.
Results
| KATER KILLER - RESULTS | ||
| Series 3 | ||
| The Third Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
| Heat G, Round 1 | vs. Napalm | Lost |
| Series 4 | ||
| The Fourth Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
| Heat F, Eliminator | vs. Gemini (8), Tornado | Eliminated |
| Sumo Basho 6th | ||
| Sumo | 14.03 seconds | 6th |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 2
Series Record
Kater Killer in the pits during Series 3
| Main Series | Kater Killer Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fourth Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fifth Wars | Entered with Kat 3 |
| The Sixth Wars | Entered with Kat 3 |
| The Seventh Wars | Entered with Kat 3 |
| 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 | Entered with Kat 3 |
Trivia
- All of the teams Kater Killer fought against were a former or future Semi-Finalist, Tornado being the only one to reach the Grand Final.
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