- "This is Robot Wars where tonight, brains are definitely no match for brawn. In the pits are six robots from Britain's best universities. But, in this challenge, there's no starters for ten, there's no conferring. Just get in there and bash the bolts outta your boffin opponents! Oh yes. Time for a study in carnage!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction
The University Challenge was a competition in Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2 which featured six robots, each representing a university or college from which each team came. The episode was originally shown on BBC Choice on 30 January 2003, but the series was dropped by the BBC before it could be shown on BBC Two. It was repeated on the Sci Fi Channel during the mid-2000s (with one documented airing on 8 October 2005),[1] and on Dave on 8 January 2011.
Competing Robots[]
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|---|---|---|
| Infernal Contraption | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.35 x 0.68 x 0.83m | |
| Power | 3 x 24V motors | |
| Weapons | Spinning drum | |
| Strengths | Reversible weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Radio reception | |
| From: Imperial College, London | ||
| Team Members: Jonathan Pillai, Gary Ewer & Ray Thompson | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Behemoth | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.64 x 1.02 x 0.66m | |
| Power | 24V electric motor | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic flipper & axe | |
| Strengths | Weapons, armour, speed | |
| Weaknesses | Kane! | |
| From: University of Hertfordshire | ||
| Team Members: Anthony Pritchard, Kane Aston & Michael Pritchard | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| CV | ||
| Weight | 98kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.26 x 1.10 x 0.81m | |
| Power | 2 x 150W electric motors | |
| Weapons | Axe, flipper or spike | |
| Strengths | Interchangeable weaponry | |
| Weaknesses | Low speed | |
| From: Open University | ||
| Team Members: John Barker, David Lott & Andrew Conway | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tiberius 3 | ||
| Weight | 99kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.64 x 1.12m x 0.94m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W electric motors | |
| Weapons | Hydraulic crusher | |
| Strengths | Extremely powerful weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Slow self-righting | |
| From: Loughborough University | ||
| Team Members: Sam Smith, Stuart Smith & Craig Lawson | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Infinity | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.29 x 1.35 x 1.04m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W motors | |
| Weapons | Claws & spikes | |
| Strengths | Invertible | |
| Weaknesses | Exposed wheels | |
| From: University of Wales | ||
| Team Members: Carl Bater, David Sandford & Ed Butcher | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fluffy | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.30 x 0.20 x 0.70m | |
| Power | 750W motors | |
| Weapons | 20kg spinner | |
| Strengths | Powerful weapon & fast | |
| Weaknesses | Unreliable response | |
| From: University College, London | ||
| Team Members: Peter Holroyd, Peter Johnson & Richard Johnson | ||
Round 1[]
- "Gathered around the warzone and the internetral elites, taking time out from their extensive studies in the library, to come hither and shout "Pit, Pit, Pit! Should be educational. Let's crack on with Round 1."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Behemoth vs CV vs Infernal Contraption[]
Behemoth pressures Infernal Contraption
Behemoth flips CV
CV's axe digs into Behemoth
Behemoth, the favourite for this battle due to its experience and the confidence from its team, began the fight by attacking Infernal Contraption, but failed to flip it. Turning instead on CV, Behemoth turned it over with one lift of the bucket, before righting it again. Behemoth then pushed CV into the CPZ where CV tried to attack Behemoth with its axe, and Sir Killalot came in, but was too slow to stop both robots escaping. After this, Behemoth suddenly ground to a halt. Infernal Contraption attacked Behemoth with its disc, and CV attacked with its axe, although CV itself was damaged and had limited manoeuvrability.
- "The battery has come out is the excuse from the Behemoth team! That is bitterly disappointing for them!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Infernal Contraption attacks CV
Behemoth is grilled
Sir Killalot then came in and picked Behemoth up using his lance, parading it around the arena before putting it down again. Whilst Infernal Contraption attacked the sluggish CV, throwing it into the air, Behemoth was put onto the floor flipper and thrown over. Sir Killalot picked it up once more and grilled it on the flame pit. Much to everyone's surprise, Behemoth was out.
- "Behemoth were doing so well, but they've gone and blown it again! CV and Infernal Contraption, through to the next round!"
- — Craig Charles
Team Make Robotics revealed to Philippa Forrester in the pits that the true cause of Behemoth's defeat was a faulty wire in its safety link. Forrester drew reference to the team's confidence prior to the match beginning.
Qualified: CV & Infernal Contraption
Fluffy vs Infinity vs Tiberius 3[]
Tiberius punctures Fluffy
Fluffy, unseen to most, spun up its weapon before activate was sounded. When the battle did get underway, Tiberius attacked Infinity, before reversing into the blade of Fluffy, but this did not damage Tiberius greatly. Tiberius then tried to attack Fluffy with its jaw, but it only scraped off the side. Tiberius spun into Infinity, knocking off a panel of some description, but it did not seem important, as Infinity was not noticeably affected by it. Meanwhile, Fluffy was once again attacked by Tiberius, but this time Tiberius managed to puncture Fluffy, whilst Tiberius rammed the pair. Tiberius dragged Fluffy towards the flame pit.
- "Tiberius 3 locked horns with Fluffy early on, and simply refused to let go like a dog with a bone."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Tiberius hoists Fluffy into the air
The three robots edge closer to the pit
Fluffy and Tiberius are pitted
Tiberius then lifted Fluffy into the air on its beak, however Tiberius had held Fluffy longer than the rules permitted, so the House Robots tried to free the two, but failed to do so. Growler hit the pit release, and Tiberius edged Fluffy towards the pit, and Infinity inadvertently edged a wheel over the pit, stranding it. Sir Killalot nudged Infinity, but miraculously it managed to stay out. Growler shoved Tiberius from behind which knocked Fluffy into the pit, although Tiberius followed it. Fluffy was eliminated, and arguably the two favourites for the title had fallen in the first round.
Qualified: Infinity & Tiberius 3
Round 2[]
Infernal Contraption vs Infinity[]
Infinity traps Infernal Contraption in the CPZ
Infernal Contraption buckles the claws of Infinity
A damaged Infinity persists
Sir Killalot threatens to put Infinity out of the arena
The first semi-final began with both robots dodging one another, and taking a long time to finally collide. When they did, Infinity rammed Infernal Contraption against the side wall, which buckled its pincers. Infinity then pushed Infernal Contraption into Sgt. Bash, although Infernal Contraption immobilised the House Robot by pulling its removable link out. Infinity then continued pushing Infernal Contraption all over the arena, although Infinity did not get everything its own way, a disc blow from Infernal Contraption further buckled the pincers weapon. Infinity then shoved Infernal Contraption into the side wall, but were picked up by Killalot, and almost dumped out of the arena. Sir Killalot let Infinity go, but soon picked it up again, before once more releasing it. More pushing and dodging ensued, as the disc of Infernal Contraption ground to a halt. Infernal Contraption was the boxed into the CPZ by Sir Killalot, and struggled to escape,
- "Wake up! Get out of bed! I know you probably haven't too often in your student lives, but I'm telling you to do it now!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Infinity pulls Infernal Contraption from the wall in the final seconds
After this, Infernal Contraption was pushed up against the arena side wall, and Infinity shoved it around, but time had expired. A very close match was sent to the Judges, but they edged in favour of Infinity.
- Craig Charles: "How do you think the Judges split you up then?"
- Jonathan Pillai: "I think they had a dartboard with Infinity there, Infernal Contraption there!"
- — The teams agree on a close decision
Winner: Infinity
CV vs Tiberius 3[]
CV's axe breaks through Tiberius
Tiberius 3 crushes CV
CV is levered towards the pit
- "The Refbot's light goes green for go, Tiberius 3, a push to and fro!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's poetry
Tiberius 3 started the battle by attempting to crush CV, but failed to apply pressure. CV was being edged back, but fired its axe repeatedly, and managed to strike through a gap in Tiberius' armour, hooking it. Tiberius escaped and crushed CV, failing to pierce the armour, but applying significant pressure. CV continued to fire its axe, but Tiberius 3 backed it into the pit release button, and attempted to crush a wheel. Tiberius 3 then manoeuvred CV into position and pushed it into the pit. With this, Tiberius qualified for the final.
- "CV destined to the pit of oblivion! Tiberius, they go marching on!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Tiberius 3
Final[]
Infinity vs Tiberius 3[]
Infinity shoves Tiberius 3 back
The jaw of Tiberius closes on Infinity
Infinity began this battle still bearing the damaged pincers from its previous battle. The fight started with Tiberius pushing Infinity into Sgt. Bash, but Infinity escaped. Tiberius then tried to puncture Infinity's shell, but failed to. Infinity responded by shoving Tiberius into the angle grinder. Tiberius again tried to grab Infinity with its claw, but the faster Infinity spun away. Tiberius eventually caught Infinity in the CPZ, and rammed it into the Arena wall, but failed to capitalise again. After spinning away, Tiberius caught Infinity again, this time puncturing the exposed wheels.
- "This is a very tense and tight affair for the honour of brainiest boffins of Robot Wars"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Tiberius attempts to puncture the wheel of Infinity
When Infinity escaped, it pushed from the sides of Tiberius, but was caught and pinned by the jaw again. Tiberius then shoved Infinity into the CPZ, and Shunt came across and axed the top of Infinity, and then the rear of Tiberius. Meanwhile, one of the house robots, presumably Sergeant Bash, pressed the pit release, but this didn't matter as time ran out soon afterwards. The judges ruled in favour of Tiberius 3.
- "The judges have made their decision. Style, control, damage, aggression. On aggression, they've gone for you [Tiberius]. On style, they've gone for you. They've just gone for you! The winners are Tiberius!"
- — Craig Charles announces the winner
University Challenge Champion: Tiberius 3
- "The exams have been graded, we've tied up the scores and this lot can graduate, from Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trivia[]
- This was the first of three episodes shown on BBC Choice that was never shown on BBC Two.
- The two most acclaimed participants, Behemoth and Fluffy, were eliminated in the first round, leaving a second round line up that consisted of three robots that fell in the first round of Series 6, and one that didn't qualify.
- The match between Infernal Contraption and Infinity was a grudge match from Heat E of the Sixth Wars, in which the two robots met in the first round melee, but neither machine qualified for the next round.
- Two of the universities represented during this competition employed personnel who served as Robot Wars Judges during the Classic run; the University of Wales employed Myra Wilson, and the Open University employed Martin Smith.
- Unlike the other Extreme 2 episodes, no trophy was given out to the winners.
- In the background during Philippa's interview with Team Tiberius, Velocirippa can be seen having its official photo taken alongside Team Mouse.
References[]
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