Merlin

Merlin
Merlin
Participation Information
UK Series	2016 (Pilot only)
Team Information
Team	Team MAD
Team Members	Alan Young Dave Young
Robot Statistics
Weight	99.7kg
Dimensions	21 x 90 x 70cm
Top Speed	10mph
Power	2 x 750w Bosch motors
Weapons	Flipper
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Merlin was the heavyweight robot that intended to compete in Series 7 of Robot Wars, built by Team MAD. However, Merlin suffered from technical issues the day before the qualifiers, so had to pull out, meaning that it failed to qualify for the series and was not seen on the televised show. Despite this, Merlin was still well known within the roboteering community for its powerful flipper. Merlin did not enter the main competition of the 2016 series of Robot Wars, but was invited to take part in the pilot episode. It also made various cameo appearances throughout the main series, along with Turbulence and Monte.

Design

Merlin at the time of Series 7

The robot was armed with a very powerful full-pressure flipper, but was also invertible, similar to Raging Knightmare, another robot from Leicestershire (also a robot that the team would later own). It ran on a two-wheeled drive, and could still self-right in spite of being invertible.

Robot History

2016 series

Although Merlin did not compete for the main series of Robot Wars in 2016, it was regardless invited to attend filming of the pilot episode on March 1st, giving it the opportunity to compete in front of a live audience, as part of a camera test.

Merlin getting struck by Dead Metal's blade

In its first battle, Merlin was drawn into a four-way qualifier against Reaper, Wraith and Monte. Wraith suffered from electrical problems before the start of the battle, and withdrew, turning the fight into a three-way battle. Monte quickly broke down, and was pitted, leaving Reaper and Merlin to fight alone until cease was called, with both robots qualifying.

In the first battle of the head-to-head round, Merlin defeated veterans in Team Onslaught, winning against their new robot, Ka-Pow!, when Ka-Pow! drove into the pit in the opening moments of the fight. As the battle was so short, Merlin turned its efforts to attack Dead Metal.

Merlin, Turbulence and Monte make cameo appearances in Episode 4

Merlin's final battle was a loss against fellow flipper, Turbulence. After a close fight between the two flippers, Turbulence won the Judges' decision on the basis of aggression and control. Merlin never fought Reaper to complete the second round, and was eliminated at this stage.

Series Record

• Series 1-6: Did not enter
• Series 7: Withdrew before qualifiers
• 2016 Series: Pilot only, Round 2, Third Place; Entered with Apollo, Pilot only with Monte

Outside of Robot Wars

Merlin with its flipper up

Since Robot Wars, Merlin has been rebuilt several times, but has experienced great success, particularly in the Roaming Robots circuit. Arguably Merlin's greatest triumph to date was when it won the Tag Team Terror Competition alongside Velocirippa in 2006.

Merlin still fights competitively today, reaching the Quarter-Finals of the 2011 UK Championships, after beating Dantomkia and Iron-Awe 6 in its heat, but then Merlin lost to Iron-Awe 5.

Trivia

• Despite Team BlazerBotics making several robots for Robot Wars, Merlin was the only heavyweight at the time of Series 7.