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"...bizarrely resembles an old-fashioned tape recorder, with its twin spinning discs on the front, and flat, rectangular body."
Robot Wars: The Official Magazine[1]

Shredder was a competitor robot that fought in Series 5-7 of Robot Wars. While failing to progress beyond the first round in Series 5 and 7 - the former after accidentally driving itself into the pit against MouseTrap - it reached the Heat Final in Series 6, losing to S3 there. As Shredder Evolution, it also won the Battle of the Spinners that took place as part of Series 7. The team also competed in Series 3 with Manic Mutant, which lost its only battle.

Versions of Shredder[]

Shredder[]

Shredder5

Series 5 appearance

Shredder was an invertible, two-wheel drive robot featuring twin 10kg counter-rotating mild steel discs as its main weapons. The discs initially spun inwards at up to 2500rpm, with the intention of snaring robots' parts and pulling them towards the discs for more damage. They had different cutting heights, and were capable of slicing through 4mm mild steel and car doors during testing, as well as providing the robot with better manoeuvrability due to the lower mass of each disc.

Shredder also had a top speed of 10mph (increased to 12mph in Series 6), and was regularly described by Jonathan Pearce as looking like a 'tape machine'. While proved relatively durable and aggressive, the robot suffered from exposed tyres, a 2cm ground clearance and was quite flammable, while its discs were vulnerable to being damaged or torn completely off, as demonstrated during its first round battle against S3 in Series 6. Shredder had relatively minor changes between its appearances in Series 5 and Series 6, the most notable differences being a switch from a plain purple paint scheme to a purple and white one, and slightly different side armour protecting its wheels, with the logos on the side armour in Series 5 being removed for Series 6.

"A large proportion of fights are won and lost on mechanical failure and we're determined to not have it happen to us, hence our use of industrial standard components wherever possible and our strict adherence to the K.I.S.S(keep it simple stupid) philosophy. We have an unbroken history of reliability with Shredder so it obviously worked!"
— The Shredder Team on building a reliable robot[2]

Shredder Evolution[]

"When we started the build, some four years ago for Shredder and two years ago for Shredder Evolution, I don't think any of us realised quite how much skill we'd need to solve the design, mechanical and electrical problems."
— The Shredder team in 2003
"So, is this a record deck?"
Jayne Middlemiss inquires about Shredder Evolution's design
Shredder Evolution

Shredder Evolution enters the arena

Shredder Evolution

Side view of Shredder Evolution

For Series 7, a new version of Shredder was built, now named Shredder Evolution. It featured a slightly more compact chassis than the original robot, and a pair of more durable and effective discs which now rotated at 1500rpm. Each disc was 440mm in diameter, with 20mm tooth depth, and 2mm pockets inside the discs to allow for more mass on the outer edge. Shredder Evolution now used modern 24V S28-400 Magmotors (the likes of which were still used in the reboot) to provide an extremely high top speed of 25mph and plenty of drive power. Shredder Evolution adopted a new black, red and white paint scheme. Jonathan Pearce described Shredder Evolution as being 'built like a brick', although its lightweight discs still struggled to damage tougher armour.

"Whether it's the armor that you have or some other form of defense this is just as important as your weaponry, it's no good having a lovely bit of kit if it falls apart the first time it clashes with another bot. We decided that coupled with the armor we'd work along the "best form of defense is offence" lines and try to make our weaponry our defense."
— The team on prioritising weaponry over armour[3]

Qualification[]

"Barely a month after the filming of the B.B.C's 5th series of Robot Wars we're already well into the planning of the build for our series 6 entry. We've decided to work under the name Shredder Evolution to try and keep some consistency plus that's exactly what the new design will be; an evolved version of Shredder with more power in the weapons drive (we're looking at using a Mag-Motor this time round if funds will stretch)"
— The team make plans for Shredder Evolution ahead of Series 6[4]

Shredder successfully entered the Fifth Wars after winning against Doorstop in the series qualifiers.[5] Shortly after the series concluded, the team started designing Shredder Evolution, although due to cost and time restrictions, the original Shredder instead competed in Series 6[6]. Shredder Evolution was built ahead of the Series 7 qualifiers, and performed well enough in its fight[7] to make an appearance in the Seventh Wars.

Robot History[]

Series 5[]

"We have an...out of this world battle here!"
Jonathan Pearce

Shredder first appeared in Heat C of the Fifth Wars, and fought the twentieth seed MouseTrap in the first round.

Mousetrap vs Shredder

Shredder slices through MouseTrap

Shredderpitted

Shredder reverses into the pit

It immediately approached MouseTrap and was whacked by its trap mechanism, before using its discs to slam into and leave gashes in MouseTrap's side. Both robots drove away before MouseTrap drove under Shredder, but Shredder escaped as it swung its weapon and continued grinding away at its side. It chased MouseTrap and slammed it into the pit release button, only to back itself into the pit just as it was descending. Despite its more dominant performance, this mistake eliminated Shredder from the Fifth Wars.

"Shredder are shredded!"
Craig Charles announces Shredder's elimination

Series 6[]

Shredder came back for Series 6 facing Armadrillo, Roobarb and the seventh seed S3 in the first round of Heat D.

ShredS3

S3 rips off one of Shredder's discs

Shredder vs S3 R1

Shredder pressures S3 into the wall

Shredder started at a disadvantage, for immediately after driving into S3's vertical spinner, one of Shredder's discs was ripped away and thrown out of the arena. Shredder still continued to focus on S3 while Roobarb broke down, and the lack of mobility from Armadrillo provided little distraction. Despite taking further damage from the vertical disc, Shredder pushed S3 into the arena wall, damaging the plexiglass.

"They said to me before, it's not a real tape deck, if you think it is, just try and record something. I have recorded something in my notes, Shredder weaponry, U-S-E-L-E-S-S, useless!"
— Jonathan Pearce in spite of Shredder staging a comeback
S3 vs Shredder R1

Shredder holds S3 in harm's way

Shredder drove into S3's weapon again, but cleverly drove into the unarmed areas of S3 to attempt a push. Shredder pushed S3 towards Mr. Psycho, drove past the passive Armadrillo, and held S3 against another arena wall, where Mr. Psycho repeatedly hammered it. Shredder showed no fear of S3's weapon, and continually held it in the CPZ, also pushing it into another now-broken arena wall. Shredder relentlessly held S3 in Mr. Psycho's path, while Armadrillo was almost counted out. In the closing seconds, Shredder pushed Armadrillo into the same CPZ, and collided with S3 before 'cease' was called.

"If Shredder survives though, how far can they go in the competition with the weaponry literally bashed, smashed and useless? It goes to a Judges' decision, and they've done brilliantly to hang on in there, Shredder!"
— Jonathan Pearce

The battle was sent to a Judges' decision, but Shredder comfortably qualified alongside the seeded S3 over the passive Armadrillo. This put Shredder through to a second-round match against another vertical spinner, The Alien. The team were jokingly confident about this match-up. Shredder entered the battle inverted to protect its discs from the spinning hammer of The Alien.

"Not a problem for these guys... so they say, now!"
Philippa Forrester
The Alien vs Shredder

The Alien strikes Shredder but loses its weapon

Shredder allowed The Alien to spin up its weapon, and sustained damage from a head-on collision, also being held over the flame pit. After another contact, The Alien lost the use of its spinning hammer, and Shredder rammed into it. Shredder attacked with another ram, but drove up the wedge of The Alien, and was pushed back onto the flame pit. Driving over the steam vent, a gush of CO2 tore part of Shredder's wheel guard away.

"Little weaponry power, I think for Shredder now. Can run both ways up, it's invertible, the way it's running up now seems to be protecting those blades."
— Jonathan Pearce
Shredder vs The Alien

The Alien traps Shredder under its srimech, but is attacked by Shunt

Shunt vs Shredder

Shunt punches through Shredder

Shredder was pushed onto another steam vent by The Alien, although the latter drove itself into a CPZ and was attacked by Shunt. Shredder attempted to capitalise, but drove up the wedge of The Alien, and was pushed back into the centre of the arena, and then back onto the flame pit, and the closed pit. The Alien separated in order to activate the pit, but was slammed into the wall by Shredder. Despite its efforts, Shredder was pushed back into a CPZ by the wedge of The Alien, trapped by The Alien's self-righting mechanism. Shunt then buried its axe through Shredder, pushing it into the wall.

"Cleaves straight into the innards of Shredder! Now what damage will that cause to the 750w drive of Shredder?"
— Jonathan Pearce
Shredder vs Alien

Shredder holds The Alien over a steam vent

Alien meets Shunt + Shred

Shredder takes the lead while Shunt axes The Alien

Despite sustaining damage, Shredder did not give up, and chased The Alien onto the floor flipper, later pinning it over the steam vent which caused Shredder earlier damage. Shredder started to gain points in aggression and control, following the slowly moving The Alien around the arena and pushing it back into Shunt for an axe blow. While trying to hold The Alien in the CPZ, Shredder was also dented by Shunt, but The Alien could only narrowly escape the CPZ as it was attacked again by Shunt and slammed by Shredder just before 'cease' was called.

"No, it's not the most destructive, but this is a different side to Robot Wars. The tenacity, the competitiveness, the durability of well manufactured machines."
— Jonathan Pearce

After an extremely close battle, the win was awarded to Shredder, to the team's surprise, and The Alien's disagreement.

Craig Charles: "Do you think that was a fair decision, because I've heard a few dissenting voices there from The Alien team."
Paul Hunt: "It was close, I think it was down to my "superb driving ability", actually!"
— The Shredder Team continue to be sarcastic

Having qualified for the Heat Final, Shredder earned a second encounter with S3. The team crossed out the Shredder name on their robot, replacing it with the word "shredded".

"Shredder is a bit more manoeuvrable, but I don't think it has the power of S3. So it's a really interesting match for us, it's a good test case of the different types of disc."
Professor Noel Sharkey before the Heat Final
S3Shred

Shredder's wheel is targeted

S3 vs Shredder

Shredder is turned over by S3

Shredder's driving in the opening stages allowed it to hit S3's weapon casing side-on, but a big hit from S3 flung it away, bending its own weapon frame. Shredder pushed S3 back into the wall, and activated the Disc of Doom, but then became caught on the floor spinner itself. This allowed S3 to directly hit Shredder's wheel, and Shredder then drove straight into S3's disc. Its weaponry was further buckled, and after consecutive blows, Shredder's wheels struggled to gain purchase on the arena floor. Shredder attempted to maintain aggression, pushing back then spinning in circles, but S3 turned Shredder over. As its frame was so badly bent, Shredder's tyres did not touch the floor, and the robot was rendered immobile.

"Shredder R.I.P., Shredder rust in pieces!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Shredder S3

Shredder is left immobile

Shredder RIP

Shredder drives into the pit once again

Shredder was counted out by Refbot, and was officially eliminated from the competition, yet a push from Sir Killalot brought Shredder's wheels back into contact with the arena floor, and Shredder fled, but was held aloft by the House Robot. While Sir Killalot drove onto the pit, Shredder continued the fight, and drove straight into the disc of the victorious S3. As Shunt pursued Shredder, the team chose to drive their own robot into the pit for the second time in Robot Wars, thus evading further punishment.

Shredderceiling

Shredder's armour in the ceiling

It was revealed after the battle that part of Shredder's armour was stuck in the ceiling.

"It made them stop filming until there was a net on the arena roof!"
— Ian Pritchard from 1 Law Associates on Facebook

Despite their loss in the Heat Final, Team Shredder maintained their humorous disposition in defeat.

Paul Hunt: "They're the seeded robot, so I thought it's best to give them a chance to go through to the semi-finals. I mean, I even drove myself down into the pit in the end, just to make sure they went through properly."
Craig Charles: "We thought you were just running away, we thought, 'I've had enough, get down the pit'!"
Paul Hunt: "Well, Killalot couldn't get me down there, nor Shunt, so I thought, 'well I might as well do it myself', because they're obviously struggling, bless 'em!"
— Shredder's supposed intention of loss

Series 7[]

Shredder Evolution returned for the Seventh Wars, competing in Heat I. It was drawn against Sub-Version 1.1 and Trax, alongside seasoned Robot Wars veteran Steel Avenger, in its first round battle.

"Oh look at the speed - LOOK AT THE SPEED OF IT!"
— Jonathan Pearce expresses awe at Shredder Evolution's speed across the arena
Steel Avenger axes Shredder Evolution

Steel Avenger drags Shredder Evolution over the Flame Pit

Shredder Subversion

Shredder Evolution cuts into Sub-Version 1.1

Shredder Evolution started tentatively, spinning around on the Drop Zone square before slamming into the side of Sub-Version 1.1 and being rammed along with it by Steel Avenger. It escaped from the empty CPZ, darting across the arena to one of the entry gates, before confronting Trax and Sub-Version 1.1 again and slicing through the latter's side. Steel Avenger rammed both robots out of the way, before axing Shredder Evolution and getting its axe head embedded in the space between Shredder Evolution's left wheel and chassis, pushing it over the Flame Pit in its grip. One of Shredder Evolution's discs caught and flung a piece of cloth across the arena, before Steel Avenger raised its axe and left it spinning on one side, the axe blow having damaged the aerial hidden in Shredder Evolution's wheel. Shredder Evolution ripped more of Sub-Version 1.1's front and side armour off with its discs, before Steel Avenger axed and spun it round as Trax pushed Sub-Version 1.1 into the pit just as 'cease' was called. Due to the damage it sustained from Steel Avenger, Shredder Evolution was eliminated from the Seventh Wars on the subsequent judges' decision, to the disagreement of Craig Charles.

Shredder Evolution also competed in the Battle of the Spinners (also known as Spin City), against Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit and Infernal Contraption, aired as part of Heat C, prior to its appearance in the main competition.

Infernal Contraption rim

Shredder Evolution cuts a wheel rim from Infernal Contraption

Battle of the spinners

Shredder Evolution attacks Infernal Contraption

Shredder Evolution attacked Infernal Contraption, sending it flying into the arena wall, before exchanging blows with Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit, resulting in Shredder Evolution's wheel guard being ripped off and its discs bent out of shape. Shredder Evolution hit the pit release button, and met the other two competing robots in a CPZ. Mr. Psycho came out to attack Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit, and Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit was pushed into the pit whilst trying to escape the House Robot. Shredder Evolution's attacks on Infernal Contraption had taken their toll - it now had impaired mobility since one of its wheels had been damaged. It wasn't long before Infernal Contraption was counted out and pitted by Mr. Psycho, leaving Shredder Evolution victorious in the Battle of the Spinners.

Results[]

SHREDDER - RESULTS
Series 5
The Fifth Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 1
Heat C, Eliminator vs. Mousetrap (20) Lost
Series 6
The Sixth Wars - UK Championship
Heat Final
Heat D, Round 1 vs. Armadrillo, Roobarb, S3 (7) Qualified
Heat D, Round 2 vs. The Alien Won
Heat D, Final vs. S3 (7) Lost
SHREDDER EVOLUTION - RESULTS
Series 7
The Seventh Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 1
Heat I, Round 1 vs. Steel Avenger, Sub-Version 1.1, Trax Eliminated
Special Events
Spin City
Battle of the Spinners vs. Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit, Infernal Contraption Won

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 3
  • Losses: 3

Series Record[]

Series Shredder Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Did not enter
The Third Wars Entered with Manic Mutant
The Fourth Wars Did not enter
The Fifth Wars Heat, Round 1
The Sixth Wars Heat Final
The Seventh Wars Heat, Round 1
Series 8 Did not enter
Series 9 Did not enter
Series 10 Did not enter

Gallery[]

Outside Robot Wars[]

ShredTG

Shredder as Shred at Techno Games

A black, weaponless Shredder also entered in Techno Games under the name Shred. Shred competed in the Assault Course, but lost in the first round to Technomoth. Team captain Paul Hunt described the colour scheme as making the robot "hard to see". The team also travelled to the Dutch Robot Games in 2001, but did not compete with a robot at the event[8].

"We upgraded from the fork lift truck steering motor used in Shredder last year, and have been unable to believe the power this motor produces in Evolution. It undoubtedly contributed a great deal to Shredder Evolution winning it's first ever event at the International Robot Rumble this year."
— The team on using new motors for Shredder Evolution's debut[9]
Shredder Evolution V1

The first version of Shredder Evolution

Shredder Evolution 2003

Shredder Evolution at the International Robot Rumble in 2003

Prior to the Seventh Wars, an initial version of Shredder Evolution was built, using discs with smaller teeth and weight saving holes, while the robot was largely an unpainted brown. It won the International Robot Rumble event in 2003, defeating Tiberius 3 along the way. This successful build served as the prototype for an upgraded Shredder Evolution in Series 7.

Shredder Evolution 2004

Shredder Evolution at Robot Crusade 2004

The Shredder team also ran the Robot Crusade live events in the early 2000's, with team captain Paul Hunt briefly becoming a full-time roboteer. Shredder Evolution was generally present at the team's own events, although it could not always use its weaponry. Indeed, Shredder once attended a live event at Oundle Mill where it was responsible for a "No Spinning Weapons Rule" at the event, after it attacked Judge Mech and shards of armour went flying. The Shredder team were later very active in the improvement of live event safety, contributing heavily to both the writing of FRA arena guidelines and build rules.

A successor to Shredder Evolution, Shredder REVolutionS was also planned, which would have featured four spinning discs instead of two. Team Shredder had been working towards building Shredder REVolutionS for four years prior to Series 7, but it is currently unknown whether it was finished, and it never made an appearance at a live event.

Trivia[]

Shredder Evolution S7

Official Series 7 photo

  • The image of Shredder on its statistics board in Series 5 was incorrectly cropped, showing only the middle of the robot, cutting off part of each side.
  • Also in Series 5, Stuart McDonald introduced Shredder as being from 'Leamington-on-Spa' rather than Leamington Spa.
  • When introducing Shredder in Series 6, Jonathan Pearce incorrectly claimed "This has beaten good machines like MouseTrap in the past." Not only did Shredder lose to MouseTrap, but at that point the machine and the team had yet to win a battle. Jonathan Pearce later corrected himself, mentioning how MouseTrap beat Shredder in Series 5 whilst commentating on the Round 2 match, and the clip of Shredder driving into the pit was shown during Shredder's post-battle interview.

External Links[]

References[]

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