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Roach was a walking robot built by Grayson and Anthony DuRaine for the 1996 US Robot Wars competition. By far the largest competitor in its weight category, it enjoyed limited success as a consequence of frequent reliability and radio interference issues.[1] Roach would thus lose its only Featherweight Face-Off battle against Red 2, alongside its opening Featherweight Melee round to Slomo 3. The Melee featuring Roach was highlighted in the American Robot Wars 1996 VHS, where it was treated as a standalone battle.

The DuRaines also competed in the 1996 lightweight category with Snickers, and would later repurpose Roach's components - including the mechanical speed controllers - for their 1997 featherweight Gorange.[3] On the official US Robot Wars website, Roach was erroneously listed as a lightweight under Snickers' name, which is not reflected in write-ups, video footage and match records from the 1996 competition.[2][4]

Design[]

Snickers arena

Roach in the arena, with half of its tarp covering

Roach was a large walking robot with an aluminum center frame and eight chain-driven legs. Internal components included a quartet of 'kiddie car motors' and mechanical speed controllers, alongside a 7.2ah 12V gel cell battery powering all systems. All sides of Roach's frame were surrounded by an assortment of entanglement devices, including a net and several sheets of blue plastic tarpaulin. The tarpaulin sheets were attached to 'large flat panels' and additional side frames made from, according to the Team Spike website, PVC pipe. Through a centrally-placed winch system, the side frames had the ability to drop down on and trap nearby opponents, similarly to the mousetrap hazards found in the 1996 arena.[1][5]

Throughout its 1996 run, Roach suffered various problems relating to its drive system - which proved underpowered - along with the reliability of its walking mechanism and its use of AM radio gear. The AM systems, as previously used by Snickers in the 1995 event, often suffered from severe radio interference, which affected the robot's ability to walk or maintain controlled movements during battles. Often, Roach would end up becoming immobilized after a short amount of time, and its unusual armament would not be properly demonstrated.[1][5]

Etymology[]

"Roach" refers to the shortened term of the name of the insect called "cockroach".

Robot History[]

1996 US Championship[]

Debuting in the 1996 Featherweight Face-Off, Roach faced Red 2 in the opening round. This was one of a set of 'Dual Matches' to take place in this category, in this case occurring at the same time as Spiked Master II vs Triple Redundancy.

Problems were encountered almost immediately when most of Roach's legs could not function. Roach was thus unable to leave its starting position at all, 'jerking and rocking' in place until a restart was called. The second attempt lead to no improvements, and Red 2 ramming Roach multiple times. Roach eventually found itself being pinned against the wall, which was enough to eliminate it from the Featherweight Face-Off.[5][6][7]

Roach would later return for the Featherweight Melee, minus most of its tarpaulin sheeting. Its first-round bout saw it facing Red 2 a second time, alongside Triple Redundancy, Spiny Norman, Arsenic, Rampage and Slomo 3.

Featherweightmelee 1996

Roach (bottom-left) struggles to get involved

Triple redundancy vs red 2 vs spiy norman

Roach stands immobile in the background

Again, mobility issues hampered Roach from the start, resulting in it struggling to walk forwards from its initial position. Even with contact from the arena wall bumpers, it could not get itself into the action, in a battle marked by Triple Redundancy's attempts to ensnare its remaining opponents. As a result, Roach eventually lost the battle outright to Slomo 3, and was eliminated from the Featherweight Melee tournament.

Results[]

ROACH - RESULTS
1996 US Championship
Featherweight Face-Off
Round 1
Round 1 vs. Red 2 Lost
Featherweight Melee
Round 1
Melee vs. Red 2, Triple Redundancy, Arsenic, Rampage, Spiny Norman, The X-2 Lost
NOTE: In American Robot Wars 1996, Slomo 3 was referred to as "X2" due to a scripting error.

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 0
  • Losses: 2

Series Record[]

Events Roach Event Record
1994 Did not enter
1995 Entered with Snickers
1996 Featherweight Face-Off, Round 1
Featherweight Melee, Round 1

Entered with Snickers
1997 Entered with Gorange

References[]

External Links[]

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