The Enigma, sometimes referred to by the team simply as Enigma, was a robot that failed to qualify for Series 3 of Robot Wars. A second machine from the team, The Enigma Mk II, was built for later series, but was no more successful in qualifying for the show.
Design[]
While little is known about the shape or look of the finished robot, The Enigma was a tracked robot that underwent radical changes in weaponry during the design process. The Enigma was armoured in 3mm aluminium, increased to 6mm for the front and rear panels, where the team believed opponents would be most likely hit it.
The original plan for the robot was to have three axes: one on each side to hold a robot in place, and a third to swing over the top and cause damage to an opponent. This design would be utilised in future competitors Splinter and Apocalypse.[1]
- "The design quickly evolved and I found 3 axes would be better than 1. 2 axes would come out of the sides of the robot clamping the opponent while a third could strike the top relentlessly."
- — Team Mr E on The Enigma Mark I's original design
This, however, was deemed too complex due to weight, space and cost. The second design took heavy inspiration from BattleBots competitor Vlad The Impaler, who by this time already has a US Championship to its name, and incorporated dual lifting forks in place of the side axes. The primary overhead weapon would remain, but Team Mr E were unsure whether to opt for a hammer or remain with the axe at this stage.
- "So I altered the design a little and adopted a "Vlad the Impaler" type of lifting device (2 lifting forks) with a hammer or axe, that would strike between the lifting poles beating the hell out of the opponent while he was held in the air"
- — Team Mr E explain their change of weaponry
Team Mr E would later drop the overhead weapon entirely due to weight limitations, and halved the number of lifting forks for tactical reasons, as they believed a solitary lifting spike would make cause greater impact on ramming an opposition robot than twin spikes.
Etymology[]
An enigma is something or someone that can be mysterious or difficult to make sense of. This plays into the team name, as "Mr E" is a homonym of the word "mystery".
Qualification[]
Whether The Enigma was fit to demonstrate mobility and control for the obstacle course is unknown. However, they were present at qualifiers and pitted near Knuckles, another machine that failed to qualify for Series 3.[2]
The Enigma Mk II[]
- "The Enigma Mk II even more fearsome than the first"
- — Team Mr E tease their new design
The Enigma Mk II would be planned for Robot Wars after the weight increase. The team intended to take full advantage of this and design a "walker", according to the team. It is unknown how close to completion the second iteration of The Enigma became, but it was not a walker in the same sense as several other legged competitors.[3]
- "Add legs? How, ah ha. Obtain new tracks, proper tank style tracks with links rather than chains with panels welded or riveted on. Then weld short steel legs onto the tracks say 2 per track. Put rubber stoppers on the legs for grip and wa la, it qualifies as a legged entry believe it or not. Or it should do anyway."
- — The Enigma Mk II's unique method of locomotion
The Enigma Mk II, like its first iteration, would not appear in any series of Robot Wars.
Series Record[]
| Series | The Enigma Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Not selected |
| The Fourth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Fifth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Sixth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |