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Smart Spike was an autonomous robot which appeared in the 1996 US Robot Wars competition. One of only two of its kind to be functional at this event, along with Gladiator Rodney, it lost to the latter after getting caught in an mousetrap net and being tagged by its opponent.[3][4]

An earlier incarnation of the robot, simply named Spike, was also registered as an autonomous entry in the 1995 competition. Further information on its appearance at the event is unavailable, though Andrew Lindsey claims that it was originally intended to compete in 1996 under this guise as well. To avoid confusion with Lindsey's own 1996-1997 featherweight of the same name, the machine was renamed "Smart Spike" by the Angelus Research team.[1][2]

On the official website for the 1996 competition, Smart Spike was profiled as a lightweight robot, though the Team Spike website claims that it competed as a middleweight.[2][3]

Design[]

Smart Spike was a compact, oblong-shaped robot with two wheels, a black paint scheme and several spikes lining its sides. Its main weapon was a pair of large horizontal grabbing arms, each with a red claw and a long spike at the outer end, used to grasp and pin opponents until they were deemed to be immobilized. The outer shell was made from sheet metal.[3]

Etymology[]

The origins behind the initial "Spike" name are unclear, though it is likely to have referenced the robot's multitude of spiked weaponry. As addressed by Andrew Lindsey on his team's website, the last-minute rename to "Smart Spike" reflected its capabilities and classification as an autonomous fighting robot.[3]

Robot History[]

1995 US Championship[]

Under the original name Spike, it was scheduled to appear in an autonomous battle, presumably against either The X-1, Cyberknight or Rambot. However, it is not known whether it competed.

1996 US Championship[]

As one of two autonomous robots that were able to function at the 1996 US competition, Smart Spike faced Gladiator Rodney in a one-off head-to-head clash. Technical issues prevented both robots from approaching and attacking each other, a scenario which lasted for several minutes. Smart Spike eventually drove into and entangled itself in a mousetrap net, allowing Gladiator Rodney to ram it with its scoop. Under the requirements of this battle, Smart Spike instantly lost as a result of Gladiator Rodney's attack.[3][4]

Results[]

SMART SPIKE - RESULTS
1996 US Championship
Other Battles
Autonomous
Autonomous vs. Gladiator Rodney Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 0
  • Losses: 1

Series Record[]

Events Smart Spike Event Record
1994 Did not enter
1995 Autonomous events as Spike
1996 Autonomous Battle
1997 Did not enter

References[]

External Links[]

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