- "The main consideration was that Robo Doc should be something "big and mean", not just another "box on wheels". So it was logical that wheels should be abandoned in favour of tracks."
- — The Robot Wars Technical Manual
Robo Doc was Team 101's original machine, which was entered in Series 2 of Robot Wars. It was sponsored by R Griggs and Co (manufacturer of Dr Martens boots) and cost £1000 to build. It reached the Arena Semi-Final stage in its heat, before being defeated by King Buxton, triggering the famous rivalry between King Buxton and Team 101's machines.
Following Robo Doc's loss, Mike Franklin could not secure sponsorship for Series 3, and replaced Robo Doc with the famously inexpensive 101.
Design
- "Having persuaded my boss to sponsor the creation of RoboDoc, I had to dream up an exciting design. As there have been so many good designs in the past, something original was going to be hard."
- — Robo Doc Website
The original design of Robo Doc
Robo Doc without its weapon or shell
Robo Doc was built like a World War I tank, a large box-wedge shape with stainless steel tracks running around the entire body. These tracks were salvaged from a scrapyard and originally made up an old bottle washing machine. They featured spikes to increase traction on the floor and allow the robot to run inverted, as well as climb obstacles up to 50cm in height.
Robo Doc in the pits
Robo Doc's power came from a Bosch 750W motor, giving it pulling power of 360kg. It also featured 1hp in pushing power as a result of its strong drive motors, which made Robo Doc the most powerful robot in its Heat. The armour was made from aluminium and the batteries were two 25 amp hour Yuasa gel batteries from Maplins. A two-stage chain drive geared down the motors.
- "I would have liked to used gearboxes but the cost of manufacture was going to excessive."
- — Robo Doc website
At the base of its wedge, Robo Doc featured a ramming blade intended to cut into opponents. Its weapon was initially supposed to be a chainsaw/angle grinder, however this was removed due to weight constrictions and replaced with a spike mounted on a lifting arm.
Robot History
Series 2
Sir Killalot picks up Robo Doc
Robo Doc opted for the centre route, dodging Matilda and taking the ramp, bowling over the barrels. Robo Doc then ran head on into Bash, and was attacked by Sir Killalot. It qualified for the Trial with a distance of 10.9m.
- "You can hear the engines roaring. I wonder if they can get up and over Bash using those spike-embedded tracks."
- — Jonathan Pearce muses as Robo Doc grapples with the House Robots
Matilda gives off sparks as she flips Robo Doc over
In the Trial, Robo Doc faced Matilda in the Joust. Just as King Buxton had before it, Robo Doc drove onto Matilda's forks. However, Robo Doc fell onto its back, and slammed into reverse, putting the large side of its wedge against Matilda and pushing. This succeeded in raising Matilda's wheels off the ground, and Robo Doc held on to the end. With Rottweiler being pushed back to the entry gate, Robo Doc qualified for the Arena, where it faced King Buxton.
King Buxton rams Robo Doc from the side
Robo Doc was hit side on by King Buxton, who shoved it with little trouble, into the PPZ, where it was buffeted by the pendulum, Matilda and Dead Metal. Robo Doc then rammed King Buxton, but was easily overpowered and pushed into Shunt before its own lifter could get put into play.
Robo Doc is forced towards the Pit
After having some close shaves with the Pit, including almost reversing in and then being pushed towards the Pit by the combined efforts of Matilda and King Buxton, the match went to a Judges' decision, with Robo Doc ending the fight upside down. The judges awarded the victory to King Buxton, which progressed to the Heat Final as a result, while Robo Doc was eliminated from the competition.
- "Your robot was designed so well, even when you were flipped, it got a bit more effective because the spike was lower! Unlucky."
- — Craig Charles to Mike Franklin
Robo Doc was also nominated for the Best Design award, but lost to Razer.
Results
| ROBO DOC - RESULTS | ||
| Series 2 | ||
| The Second Wars - UK Championship Heat, Arena Semi-Final | ||
| Heat I, Gauntlet | 10.9m (2nd) | Qualified |
| Heat I, Trial (Joust) | 6.10m (3rd) | Qualified |
| Heat I, Semi-Final | vs. King Buxton | Lost |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
NOTE: Robo Doc's successful Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included
Series Record
The team with Robo Doc
| Main Series | Robo Doc Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Heat, Arena Semi-Final |
| The Third Wars | Entered with 101 |
| The Fourth Wars | Entered with 101 |
| The Fifth Wars | Entered with 101 |
| The Sixth Wars | Entered with Anarchy |
| The Seventh Wars | Withdrew |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
| Robot Wars Extreme | Appearances |
| Series 1 | Entered with 101 |
| Series 2 | Did not enter |
Honours
Nominations
- Best Design Award - Robot Wars: The Second Wars
Outside Robot Wars
Robo Doc with the Series 3 version of King Buxton in September 2018
In September 2018, a fully intact Robo Doc made its first public appearance in nearly twenty years, appearing as a static display at the Robonerd event hosted by Simon Harrison. Robo Doc was posed next to its rival King Buxton for photography.