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For other uses of the Scorpion name, see Scorpion (disambiguation).

Scorpion was a middleweight robot built by Jerry Burton for the 1995 and 1996 US Robot Wars competitions.

In the 1995 edition, it originally reached the second round of the Middleweight Face-Off, before being pinned and defeated by the previous year's class champion The X-1.[5][6] Scorpion also fought in the Middleweight Melee the same year, but would lose to La Machine.[7] Though often referred to as "Scorpion" in arena announcements and in official entry lists gathered by competing roboteers,[8] the 1995 incarnation was also officially named StingRayBot according to the US Robot Wars website.[1]

For 1996, Scorpion again competed in the Middleweight Face-Off, but was eliminated in the first round after getting overturned by Up & Over. Its defeat would be among the battles highlighted in the American Robot Wars 1996 and American Robot Wars Final 1996 VHS releases. Scorpion was also mentioned as an 'Autonomous Middleweight' in the 1996 entry list, but did not participate in any battles of this kind alongside the main competitions.[3][9][10]

Design[]

Scorpion 1996 arena

Scorpion in the arena

Scorpion's design was largely consistent throughout its appearances, with an angular pink and silver shell incorporating a front ramming plow, and a dome-like 'head' extension on top. A pair of boggle eyes and black 'eyebrows' provided a scowling expression for the robot's 'face'.[3]

Information available for the 1996 incarnation suggests that the shell itself was made out of steel, attached to the top of a tubular welded steel frame. The two-wheeled machine utilized rubber tires and a pair of large gearmotors for its main drive. As its weaponry, Scorpion was equipped with a 'hook-like tail' which also incorporated a horizontally-facing, double-ended pickaxe. The tail, which used its own motor, could either lift any opponents which were snagged by it, or be used to whack and damage them through sit-and-spin tactics.[3]

According to Jerry Burton, Scorpion's control system was based around a Motorola 68HC11 microcontroller and 'network architecture'.[4] Later entry lists - specifically for the 1996 event - suggest that it could be configured to run in both standard RC and 'Autonomous' class battles, though Scorpion is only known to have fought in the former.[9][10]

Notable differences in between appearances included a longer pickaxe 'tail' for the 1995 incarnation - claimed to have been shortened in response to its Face-Off defeat[6] - and variations in the robot's paint scheme. The 1996 incarnation emphasized the latter by adding a toothed 'mouth' pattern to the base of the front plow. Scorpion's official 1995 photo also showed the robot with extra side arms attached to the upper plow surface, though these would not be used in combat.

Robot History[]

1995 US Championship[]

Scorpion first debuted in the 1995 competition, under the alternate name "StingRayBot". In the Middleweight Face-Off, it faced Have a Nice Day.

Stingraybot vs haveaniceday

Sparks fly as Scorpion (StingRayBot) slams its tail into Have a Nice Day's disc

From the outset, the gas-powered Have a Nice Day suffered a drive malfunction, leaving it driving around in circles on the left-hand side. Scorpion approached from the other side of the arena, bumping into the mousetrap and flipper hazards as it weaved its away across. Unfazed, it proceeded to whack Have a Nice Day multiple times with its tail. One swipe at Have a Nice Day's front disc caused sparks to fly. With Have a Nice Day becoming fully immobilized - its gas engine having been suffocated by its own fumes - Scorpion spun triumphantly as it was declared the winner by knockout.[5]

Scorpion progressed to the second round, where it faced defending Middleweight Face-Off champion The X-1.

X1RaisesScorpion

The X-1 lifts Scorpion upwards

The match began tentatively, with Scorpion slowly spinning around in the center. It was briefly nudged by Mike Winter's machine, but responded by thwacking one of its corners. Both competitors kept bumping each other; The X-1 took advantage by hooking, lifting and carrying Scorpion by the tail. Scorpion was dragged helplessly around in circles, and held in the center by The X-1 until it was fully counted out. Scorpion was thus eliminated from the Middleweight Face-Off at that stage.[6]

Scorpion fought Have a Nice Day and The X-1 again in the Middleweight Melee. For overall 1995 honors, the trio faced La Machine, Satoru Special 2, Dawn Patrol and Boy Howdy.

The battle was over before it began, as Scorpion found itself immobilized from the very start. Regardless, it was soon ganged up on by The X-1, La Machine and Satoru Special 2; the former lifting The X-1 up alongside the side wall. Scorpion remained stationary for the remainder of the bout, and was eventually shunted into another wall by the fast and dominant La Machine. Trapped behind a nearby flipper, it lost the Middleweight Melee title to Greg Munson and Try Roski's entry[7]

1996 US Championship[]

Returning for the 1996 event, an updated Scorpion fought in the Middleweight Face-Off tournament. In the first round, it faced Up & Over, one of several entries from Bob Schneeveis.

"...the money was on Scorpion trashing Up & Over, but on Robot Wars, the unexpected happens... all the time!"
Paul Vallis, American Robot Wars 1996
Up and over vs scorpion

Up & Over lifts Scorpion

Scorpion initially attempted to push Up & Over, eventually resorting to thwack it with its tail. While attempting to drive past Up & Over at a later point, it instead turned directly onto one of its opponent's lifting hooks. Scorpion was rendered vulnerable as Up & Over simultaneously pushed and lifted it against one of the arena flippers. It was held on its side for several moments, taking a few whacks from the arena hazard as a consequence.[3]

Scorpion was briefly lowered back onto its wheels, as Up & Over struggled to find leverage and balance within its own lifting weapon. Its respite was not to last; a second lift by Up & Over was enough to turn Scorpion onto its back. With no way to self-right, Scorpion was eliminated from the Middleweight Face-Off: its final Robot Wars event.[3]

Results[]

SCORPION/STINGRAYBOT - RESULTS
1995 US Championship
Middleweight Face-Off
Round 2
Round 1 vs. Have a Nice Day Won
Round 2 vs. The X-1 Lost
Middleweight Melee
Middleweight Melee vs. Have a Nice Day, The X-1, La Machine, Satoru Special 2, Dawn Patrol, Boy Howdy Lost
1996 US Championship
Middleweight Face-Off
Round 1
Round 1 vs. Up & Over Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 1
  • Losses: 3

Series Record[]

Events Scorpion (1996) Event Record
1994 Did not enter
1995 Middleweight Face-Off, Round 2
Middleweight Melee
1996 Middleweight Face-Off, Round 1
1997 Did not enter

References[]

External Links[]

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