Son of Armageddon

Son of Armageddon
Participation Information
German Series	1
Team Information
Team	Team Armageddon
Team Members	Holger Barske Dirk Kasten Olaf Thelen
From	Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
Robot Statistics
Weight	100kg
Dimensions	0.60 x 1.30 x 1.05m
Drive	2x 750W electric motors
Weapons	Pneumatic flipping arm
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Son of Armageddon was a heavyweight robot that exclusively competed in the only series of German Robot Wars. It performed relatively well in the German series, finishing third overall despite sustaining considerable damage from the eventual champion Black Hole.

Design

""Son of Armageddon" is basically an all-wheel drive, low-pressure flipper machine"

— The Son of Armageddon website, translated from German

Son of Armageddon in The Pits

Son of Armageddon was a box-shaped robot painted red and grey and equipped with a pneumatic flipping arm that could lift 250kg and would double as a clamp, powered by a 10-bar CO₂ operating system. The carbon dioxide gas was contained within a 2kg aluminium cylinder situated beside the robot's right-side drive motors. The robot's drive system was powered by two 24 Volt Hawker 12EP16 pure lead/tin batteries, which drove a pair of Bosch GPA750 electric motors via 125A electronic speed controllers at a 3.75:1 reduction. A third battery with 6 NiMH cells and 1.7Ah capacity powered the electronics and pneumatic valve on the flipper. The wheels were from hardware stores, 265mm in diameter with pneumatic tyres and inner tubes.

Front view of Son of Armageddon

The robot had a chassis made of 25 x 25mm square welded steel tubing with a wall thickness of 1.25mm, but due to the weight limit, it had relatively little armour, apart from 3mm Grade 3 titanium red side panels with white stripes on its sides and back, which left its chassis, wheels and internals relatively exposed from the front and vulnerable to damage, though it did have a 6mm Makrolon baseplate. The armour was not welded to the frame, instead being attached using countersunk Allen screws. However, Son of Armageddon displayed good durability and lifting power, even surviving to a Judges' decision in its fight against Black Hole.

Side view of Son of Armageddons

"The triangular shape with two joints positioned far back makes this construction very stable. Maximum stroke: approximately 50 cm. ... The cylinder pressure of a maximum of 69 bar is regulated to 10 bar via a massive pressure reducer (type Hornung ZD150) with a flow rate of approximately 60 cubic meters per hour. A 64-bar safety valve is installed between the cylinder and the pressure reducer to ensure that the pressure does not rise too high."

— The Son of Armageddon website on the flipper, translated from German

The flipper was made from 60 x 30 x 2mm square steel tubing, powered by a 2kg bottle of CO₂. Unusually though, Son of Armageddon did not have a lip on the end of its flipper, causing robots to occasionally slip off its flipper without retaining purchase.

The Team

"After the Robotwars virus has spread and there are apparently enough "crazy people" to deal with the topic, it was time to get serious. Therefore, on 07.12.2001 the first conspiratorial meeting took place between Holger B., Holger S. and Dirk K. After a few beers and verbal probing later, it was clear that we could not get past a team."

— Dirk Kasten on the Team Armageddon website (Translated from German)

Team Armageddon

Son of Armageddon was entered by Armageddon from Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team captain was Holger Barske, a journalist who acted as the team's engineer. The other two team members were Dirk Kasten, a city planner, and Olaf Thelen, an engineer who had previously studied under Holger Barske. The robot was driven by Dirk Kasten, whilst Olaf Thelen operated the flipper. There was a fourth team member, referred to as Holgar S on the team's website, who was originally part of the team, but left early into the robot's construction.

"And there were only three left. Holger S. said goodbye to Team Armageddon as of today. What a pity! In view of the increasing burden on the career ladder, however, this is an understandable step. We wish you all the best!"

— Holger Barske on the Team Armageddon website (Translated from German)

Qualification

Son of Armageddon at the German series auditions

To qualify for the German series of Robot Wars, all German competitors were required to attend an inspection run by Derek Foxwell on May 26th 2002 held at a hotel in Moers, to receive safety advice and pointers with the build. At the time, Son of Armageddon was far from complete, consisting of little more than a chassis and a pneumatic ram. Nevertheless, the robot was completed in time for the filming two months later, and as German Robot Wars had fewer applicants than the number of spaces for competitors, Son of Armageddon was automatically accepted for the German series.

The team also intended to enter Series 7 with a new robot called Twilight. Like Son of Armageddon, Twilight was a four-wheel drive robot armed with a pneumatic flipper, which had an aluminium chassis, two Perm PMG080 electric motors, powered by 24 volts, a two-stage gearbox, pneumatic tyres, and two Hawker 12EP16 pure lead/tin 24 Volt batteries. The robot was registered to take part in the qualifiers, however, due to a delay in receiving parts, they were unable to finish the robot in time to attend the qualifiers.

"Ultimately, because of the well-known engine controller problem (delivery times from the manufacturer Kees Sicking), Series 7 took place without us. A pity. but not to change. On the other hand, this gives us the opportunity to incorporate a number of improvements to Twilight."

— Son of Armageddon website on being unable to attend the Series 7 qualifiers (Translated from German)

Robot History

German Series

In Heat A, Son of Armageddon's first battle was up against Dutch entry Tyke and Thorgrim.

Son of Armageddon lifts Tyke into the arena wall

Son of Armageddon started by driving towards Tyke. Tyke tried to drive forwards, but stopped, then weakly reversed, and Son of Armageddon drove straight into it, pushing it back against the arena wall. Son of Armageddon drove up Tyke's wedge as it pinned Tyke against the wall, so it reversed for another attack, but Tyke had broken down, so couldn't do anything as Son of Armageddon rammed back into it, trying to get under the side with its lifter. Son of Armageddon got behind Tyke and tried lifting it, but Tyke slid off the lifter, so Son of Armageddon reversed and turned to face Thorgrim, which had not moved since the start of the battle.

Son of Armageddon lifts Thorgrim

Son of Armageddon got its lifter under the back of Thorgrim and started pushing it down the arena, then when Refbot reversed out of the way, Son of Armageddon lifted Thorgrim up on its front. Son of Armageddon dropped Thorgrim, then reversed and turned around. It drove up the arena, only to reverse back at Thorgrim, backing it into the Pit release button. The Pit opened, and Growler grabbed hold of Tyke with his jaw, pulling it around and dragging it down the arena. Son of Armageddon charged at it, pinning it against the wall, but as it raised the lifter, Tyke slid off. Son of Armageddon reversed for another charge, then drove back under Tyke, lifting its front up, but then reversed, with its lifter raised. Son of Armageddon drove back at Tyke, using its raised lifter to grab hold of it and pulled it away from the wall.

Son of Armageddon pushes Tyke towards the Pit

Refbot started counting Thorgrim out, but Son of Armageddon pushed Tyke into the Pit just before he finished. Matilda reversed into Thorgrim with her flywheel, ripping off almost half of the armour, and Son of Armageddon drove under the back, getting Thorgrim up on its lifter, but quickly reversed, giving Thorgrim a final nudge, pushing it against the bottom of arena wall. As both of Son of Armageddon’s opponents had long been immobilised, the decision was made by the Judges, who ruled that Thorgrim had been eliminated first, and so was out of the competition. Son of Armageddon easily progressed into Round 2.

Son of Armageddon pushes Junkyard Queen onto the flame jet

In Round 2, Son of Armageddon faced Junkyard Queen. The two competitors cautiously approached each other, and Son of Armageddon charged at Junkyard Queen, getting beside its lifting forks. Son of Armageddon pushed Junkyard Queen back, forcing it onto the flame jet as it tried to get its flipper underneath, but as it raised the flipper, Junkyard Queen slid off as the flipper wasn't properly underneath. However, it appeared to be stuck on the flame jet, turning around but not driving off the flames. Son of Armageddon drove into it again, and Junkyard Queen drove forwards, but drove into the Disc of Doom button and stopped again. Son of Armageddon drove behind it, pushing it against the arena wall, then turned it up onto its side against the Disc of Doom button.

Junkyard Queen after being flipped onto its side by Son of Armageddon

Son of Armageddon reversed, and though Junkyard Queen's wheels were still spinning, it could not rock itself back upright, merely pushing itself against the arena wall. Son of Armageddon rammed into Junkyard Queen, which caused its lifting forks to become caught behind the Disc of Doom button. Son of Armageddon rammed into Junkyard Queen again, and Refbot came over to count Junkyard Queen out. Although Junkyard Queen could turn back and forth as its wheel was touching forth, it could not pull its forks out from behind the Disc of Doom button or tip itself back upright, so it was counted out. Sir Killalot pulled Junkyard Queen free of the Disc of Doom button, and Son of Armageddon held back as Sir Killalot forced its beaten opponent into Matilda's flywheel, then put it on the Drop Zone, before finally pitting it, leaving Son of Armageddon the winner and into the Grand Final.

Son of Armageddon is edged back by Black Hole

In the Grand Final, Son of Armageddon came up against Black Hole. Son of Armageddon started with its back facing Black Hole, and reversed towards it. Black Hole drove around Son of Armageddon, which turned so its back was still facing Black Hole, then reversed into Black Hole, withstanding a hit from one of the spinning discs and pushing against Black Hole's side. Black Hole quickly drove away, driving to the arena centre where it turned around to face Son of Armageddon. The two drove into each other, but Black Hole quickly reversed turned away. After driving down the arena a little, Black Hole turned around and drove back at Son of Armageddon, but it drove onto Son of Armageddon's front flipper. Son of Armageddon pushed Black Hole, but this caused it to slip off the flipper, and it reversed before Son of Armageddon raised the flipper. Son of Armageddon turned to face Black Hole, but Black Hole drove to the arena centre. Son of Armageddon drove after it, and Black Hole turned to face Son of Armageddon. Black Hole charged into the front of Son of Armageddon, not driving up on the flipper, but the flipper was between the two discs, so it reversed. Son of Armageddon raised the flipper too late as Black Hole reversed, so Son of Armageddon then drove at Black Hole, driving at its front, but Black Hole turned to Son of Armageddon's side, then reversed around it as Son of Armageddon reversed.

Black Hole throws sparks from the side of its opponent

Black Hole drove into Son of Armageddon's side, causing sparks, then drove around to its front, ripping off one of the supports beside the flipper. Son of Armageddon pushed Black Hole back, but Black Hole turned to get at Son of Armageddon's side, and as Son of Armageddon turned around, Black Hole hit the side with its spinning discs. Black Hole reversed, then charged at the front of Son of Armageddon, lifting it up. Son of Armageddon slid down, and both competitors reversed. Son of Armageddon charged at Black Hole, but Black Hole was ready for it, driving into the front beside the flipper, hitting the other support. Black Hole reversed for another attack, and Son of Armageddon drove forwards, then reversed, turning to face Black Hole. Black Hole rammed into the front of Son of Armageddon, getting besides the flipper, hitting the support again and ripping it off. Black Hole reversed, and as Son of Armageddon drove after it, Black Hole turned around and drove at the side of the flipper, hitting one of the support beams, ripping it loose and bending it upwards.

The buckled support on Son of Armageddon

Son of Armageddon tried to push, but Black Hole reversed, then charged at Son of Armageddon's side as it turned, clipping it with its spinning disc. Black Hole drove around to Son of Armageddon's other side, ripping into the side armour. Son of Armageddon turned to face Black Hole, but couldn't get its flipper under the front, and Black Hole reversed away as Son of Armageddon raised the flipper. Black Hole charged back at Son of Armageddon's front, flicking it up a little, and as Black Hole reversed for another attack, Son of Armageddon could only struggle to turn. Black Hole slammed into its side, then reversed. Son of Armageddon turned to face it, and Black Hole charged in, hitting the side of its flipper, flipping the robot up. As Black Hole drove past, Son of Armageddon's flipper fell onto it, but Black Hole slid out from underneath. With Son of Armageddon unable to drive away, Black Hole charged into its side, then drove around and hit the side of its flipper again. Black Hole's discs stopped, but Son of Armageddon was only able to turn back and forth, so Black Hole got at its side and pushed it down to the bottom of the arena, slamming it against the Pit release button. Black Hole backed off, and Son of Armageddon turned away from the Pit release button. It turned forwards, then turned backwards, edging towards Dead Metal's CPZ, then turned towards the arena wall.

Dead Metal attacks Son of Armageddon

Son of Armageddon turned around Dead Metal's CPZ, but Black Hole rammed into its back and pushed it to the House Robot. Son of Armageddon reversed, but due to its impaired drive, could not reverse straight, instead turning away, backing into the arena wall by the CPZ. Dead Metal got his arms around Son of Armageddon and pushed it against the wall in the CPZ, pinning it there and bringing his saw down onto its top. Dead Metal let go and reversed away, leaving Son of Armageddon at the edge of the CPZ. Son of Armageddon appeared to be immobile, and Black Hole rammed into it, pushing it against the arena wall. Black Hole backed off, but Son of Armageddon still appeared to be immobile, until turned forwards little, then tried to reverse, but turned backwards into an angle grinder. Time ran out, and as it was still technically mobile, Son of Armageddon survived until the Judges' decision, where it was unanimously eliminated.

Whilst Black Hole went on to the Grand Final, Son of Armageddon had to settle for the third place Playoff, where it fought against Tyke again.

Son of Armageddon flips Tyke over

Both competitors slowly drove at each other, and Son of Armageddon tried to get its flipper under the front of Tyke, but Tyke reversed. Son of Armageddon kept after Tyke, and as Tyke turned, Son of Armageddon got its flipper under its side, and flipped Tyke up and over. Son of Armageddon reversed with its flipper raised, and Tyke drove after it, and got under Son of Armageddon's front as it stopped by a CPZ and closed its flipper. Tyke pushed Son of Armageddon towards the arena wall, but Son of Armageddon slid off its wedge, then reversed. Tyke turned and drove down the arena as Son of Armageddon drove back at it with the flipper, and after a pause, Son of Armageddon charged down the arena at it. Son of Armageddon drove into Tyke's front, but couldn't get under the front with its flipper, and Tyke turned. Tyke tried to reverse away, but Son of Armageddon blocked it and pushed against its side. It tried to lift Tyke, but Tyke slid off the flipper, which was only partially under the side. Tyke sped away, driving to the bottom of the arena, nearly driving into the bottom arena wall. Tyke stopped itself just in time, then reversed, and Son of Armageddon charged into it, ramming into the side. Tyke kept reversing, avoiding Son of Armageddon's flipper, and Son of Armageddon reversed. Tyke turned to face Son of Armageddon, and the two competitors drove straight at one another, but Son of Armageddon failed to get under Tyke's front ground clearance again, so it turned. Tyke drove into its front, so Son of Armageddon reversed.

Son of Armageddon props Tyke onto the wall

Tyke turned around and drove down the arena, with Son of Armageddon chasing after it, and Tyke charged straight into the bottom arena wall as it tried to get away, right by Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Son of Armageddon got behind Tyke, and as it reversed away from the arena wall, Son of Armageddon got its flipper under the back of Tyke, but as it fired the flipper, Tyke merely slid off. Son of Armageddon turned for another attack, but Sgt. Bash came out of his CPZ, giving Son of Armageddon a push. This gave Tyke the chance to drive away and hit the Pit release button, but it turned into the arena wall by the Pit release button. It reversed, but drove straight back into the arena wall, and as it tried to reverse, Son of Armageddon came in behind it, and pushed it back against the wall, the same spot it had driven into twice before. Son of Armageddon reversed a little, then blocked Tyke as it backed away from the wall, then slammed it into the wall, just by the Pit release button. Son of Armageddon reversed, and Tyke failed to get away, so Son of Armageddon got its flipper under Tyke's side and lifted it up against the wall.

Son of Armageddon pressures Tyke into the Pit

With Tyke propped up against the wall, Son of Armageddon backed off to the centre of the arena, but when Refbot came over, instead of counting it out, it pushed it, allowing to fall back to the arena floor. Tyke hit the Pit release button, and Son of Armageddon drove at it with its flipper raised, but Tyke reversed to avoid it. Tyke drove behind Son of Armageddon, and when Son of Armageddon reversed against it to try and push it, Tyke reversed away, then drove at Son of Armageddon's side. Tyke pushed Son of Armageddon, but Son of Armageddon reversed. Tyke tried to drive past Son of Armageddon, but as it drove past, Son of Armageddon pushed it towards the Pit. Tyke tried to get away, but Son of Armageddon was behind it, pushing it towards the Pit, causing it to drive in. This meant Son of Armageddon claimed third-place finish for the series.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 3
• Losses: 1

Series Record

German Series

German Series	Son of Armageddon Series Record
German Robot Wars	Third Place

UK Series

Series	Son of Armageddon Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
The Third Wars	Did not enter
The Fourth Wars	Did not enter
The Fifth Wars	Did not enter
The Sixth Wars	Did not enter
The Seventh Wars	Withdrew from qualifiers with Twilight
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter

Gallery

An unpainted and unfinished Son of Armageddon

Front view of Son of Armageddon before its completion

Rear view of Son of Armageddon under construction

Son of Armageddon at its Pit table

Son of Armageddon has its unpainted side panels fixed on

Son of Armageddon appears in the Series 6 Grand Final

Outside Robot Wars

Shortly after the team formed, they attended the first Dutch Robot Games in Zwolle in the Netherlands on the 22nd and 23rd of December 2001 to meet other teams and get inspiration for the build process. Fellow German team Golem, who were attending the event with their robot, provided the team with backstage passes, allowing them to meat the other teams and talk to them.

"We were there, learned a great deal, and met a lot of nice people."

— Son of Armageddon website on the team's first event

The day before Heat A of the German series aired, Team Armageddon appeared on RTL II News as part of a preview of the new series.

Holge Barske with I Bot One Alpha

Although Son of Armageddon was retired immediately following its appearance on Robot Wars, the team did travel to the Dutch Robot Games in 2003 to assist with other robots, primarily I Bot One Alpha, a fellow German team.

Holge Barske with Son of Armageddon at a live event in 2003

Son of Armageddon would make one final competitive appearance at a German live event on 15 November 2003 which was filmed so that footage could be used in the television show Alarm für Cobra 11. Unfortunately, not much is known about this event or if the footage was used on the show other than the fact Son of Armageddon would end up fighting Golem.

Trivia

• Son of Armageddon's pneumatic pressure relief valve was provided by Niezgodka GmbH, the metal was provided by Lampferhoff, a company that specialised in custom designs and repairs on vehicles, power electronic professionals from International Rectifier helped them implement the engine control unit, the cables were provided by in-akustik, a company that created car hi-fi accessories, and the regulator was provided by National Semiconductor.
• In a clip shown before Son of Armageddon's first battle, its side panels were shown being fixed on, and they were notably not yet painted.
• Son of Armageddon pushed Tyke into the Pit to end its first and final battles.
• Son of Armageddon made a cameo appearance in the UK vs Germany Special behind Dynamite.
  • Son of Armageddon also made a cameo in the Grand Final, as a clip of Son of Armageddon being worked on was included in a montage of clips of The Pits before the Awards.

External Links

• Team Armageddon website (Archived)