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My Little Pony was a featherweight robot built and entered by Will Wright into the 1996 US Robot Wars competition. Armed with an unusual set of tape reel devices, it would use these mechanisms to ensnare Spiny Norman in its first Featherweight Face-Off battle,[3] only to be eliminated in the second round by The X-2.[4] My Little Pony would also compete in the Featherweight Melee tournament - where it was eliminated in the first round[5][6] - and unite with The X-2, KMM and Arsenic to win a one-off 'team bout'.[7][8][9][10]

Design[]

My Little Pony was a large box-wedge shaped robot protected by gray foam cladding throughout. The top of the robot was decorated with a red hourglass-shaped pattern, ironically resembling that of a black widow spider, along with a My Little Pony toy figurine as a mascot. In the absence of damaging weaponry, My Little Pony would employ a set of tape reel mechanisms as its primary offense. Each reel could be placed onto the back in pairs, or as a single unit at the front. Attached to one end of each tape reel was a rare earth magnet, which was intended to attach itself onto metal armor and components wielded by opponents. Once attached, the tape would unravel to act as an entanglement device, snaring any robots which drove or were pushed into it. My Little Pony's use of foam armor was to prevent the robot from getting entangled itself.[7]

Etymology[]

The robot's name derives from the toy line and media franchise of the same name.

Robot History[]

1996 US Championship[]

My Little Pony's 1996 campaign began in the Featherweight Face-Off, where it initially faced Spiny Norman. This took place as one of a number of 'Dual Matches' in the first round, occurring at the same time as The X-2 vs Spunkey Munkey.

In the opening moments, My Little Pony slowly moved forwards as the diminutive Spiny Norman darted past and around it in circles. As Spiny Norman tried to push My Little Pony from the right-hand side, My Little Pony released its tape, snaring the 1994-1995 veteran by one of its wheels. My Little Pony emerged as the winner once Spiny Norman became immobilized.[3][7]

My Little Pony progressed to the second round, where it fought The X-2, the other winner from its 'Dual Match' quadrant.

Immediately, it rammed The X-2 and began deploying its tape device, while driving into one of the mousetraps. My Little Pony was thus vulnerable to an attack from Mike Winter's machine, which lifted, but struggled to get purchase on its foam armor. My Little Pony escaped, began circling around and briefly caught The X-2 with its tape; the magnets, however, could not attach themselves to The X-2's aluminum chassis. My Little Pony drove tentatively into the center of the arena, taking a heavy hit from the Ball of Doom as it did so.[4][7]

A few tentative moments followed, as My Little Pony drove into one of the arena flippers, and The X-2 kept chasing it across the arena. My Little Pony survived a ram, but was lifted a few more times by The X-2. Both robots continued to chase and shove each other for some time. An aggressive bump by My Little Pony, however, prompted The X-2 to lift and turn it completely over from the front. My Little Pony, unable to self-right, was eliminated from the Featherweight Face-Off by knockout.[4][7]

My Little Pony later faced The X-2 again in the Featherweight Melee tournament. In the first round, both robots fought alongside Black Sheep 2, 1995 Super Lightweight champion KMM, Melvin, Spike, recently-crowned Face-Off champion Wedge of Doom, and UK competitor WYSIWYG.

"When the match started, all the robots attacked each other. My Little Pony's tape quickly unraveled, and I made sure to avoid getting caught in it. I then noticed that KMM was driving straight toward me. I turned The Wedge of Doom and charged straight at KMM."
— Tony Buchignani, noting the threat of My Little Pony's tape in its Featherweight Melee round[11]

As all eight robots scrambled towards the center in the early moments, My Little Pony's tape once again proved a major threat. The tape snared Melvin and the right claw of KMM, with Wedge of Doom also driving cautiously to avoid getting trapped itself. My Little Pony, however, drove itself over the tape, which appeared to compromise its maneuverability across the arena floor. From that point on, it played very little part in the Melee, and was not chosen to progress to the Final.[5][6][8][11]

In addition to the main tournaments, My Little Pony also took part in an 'experimental team bout' alongside seven other featherweight machines. Together with Arsenic, KMM and The X-2, it fought as part of "Team W", fighting Melvin, Spike, Spiny Norman and WYSIWYG on "Team X".

Both teams immediately swarmed towards the center; My Little Pony was driven into the wall by WYSIWYG, but soon began deploying its tape from its side of the arena. In a mirror of its earlier battles, the tape trails snagged Spiny Norman, itself lying on its back following a flip by The X-2, then Melvin, tethering and incapacitating both "Team X" machines in quick succession. My Little Pony, however, would soon be pressured again by WYSIWYG; Eric Dickinson's machine pinned it against the lower mousetrap before The X-2 lifted and dragged it away. Having deposited all of its remaining tape, My Little Pony twitched cautiously in the lower-left corner, while its teammates sparred on in the opposite side of the arena.[8][9][10]

Moments later, WYSIWYG again collected and pushed My Little Pony, this time into the right-hand side wall. My Little Pony was pinned in place for several seconds, prompting The X-2 to nudge and flick WYSIWYG in a bid to free it. Eventually, My Little Pony was separated, later becoming caught up in KMM's movements as Rik Winter's machine dragged Spiny Norman around with its tape. Avoiding the tape itself, it survived to the end of the match, allowing "Team W" to claim victory. My Little Pony, KMM and The X-2 all moved in unison to the left-hand side of the arena, emphasizing their win further.[8][9][10]

Results[]

MY LITTLE PONY - RESULTS
1996 US Championship
Featherweight Face-Off
Round 2
Round 1 vs. Spiny Norman Won
Round 2 vs. The X-2 Lost
Featherweight Melee
Round 1
Melee vs. Black Sheep 2, KMM, Melvin, Spike, Wedge of Doom, WYSIWYG, The X-2 Lost
Other Battles
Featherweight Team Battle
(Team W, paired with Arsenic, KMM and The X-2)
Team Battle vs. Melvin, Spike, Spiny Norman and WYSIWYG (Team X) Won

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 2
  • Losses: 2

Series Record[]

Events My Little Pony Event Record
1994 Entered with Julie-Bot
1995 Entered with Kitty Puff Puff
1996 Featherweight Face-Off, Round 2
Featherweight Melee, Round 1

Entered with Triple Redundancy
1997 Entered with Bob Smith

The above record reflects that of Will Wright only.

References[]

External Links[]

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