X7 (also referred to as The X7) was a two-part clusterbot forming Robot Action League's lightweight entry for the 1997 US Robot Wars competition. Partially comprising of an upgraded version of The X-2 - the 1996 Featherweight Melee champion - it reached the Semi-Finals of that year's Lightweight Face-Off, losing to eventual champion Defiant. X7 was also eliminated in the first round of the Lightweight Melee, largely as a direct result of Defiant's flipper attacks.[3][4][5]
Design[]
X7's design consisted of two differently-sized segments, each with an aluminum construction, red decals and internals utilizing a Vantec speed controller. Both otherwise featured completely separate weapons and drivetrain setups, each focused on disrupting and diverting opponents' attention away from each other.[6][7]
X3[]
- Main article: The X-2
Operated by Mike Winter, X3 was essentially an updated incarnation of 1996 Featherweight Melee champion The X-2. As such, it retained the latter's chassis, six-wheel drive layout and pneumatic lifting arm, referred to by Dennis Adams as a 'flipper'. External changes included a bulkier rectangular-shaped extension on the right-hand side, housing a larger CO2 canister for the lifter. Along with proven capabilities against smaller opponents, X3's lifter enabled it to self-right, often with assistance from X4.[1][6]
X3's 'standard electric drivetrain' combined the aforementioned Vantec controller with two Makita drill motors and sets of NiCad battery packs from remote-controlled cars. Timing belts connected the Makita drills to each of its six wheels, themselves incorporating custom-milled aluminum hubs.[1][6]
X4[]
X4, the smaller of the pair, was an invertible, two-wheel drive robot with a 'simple and rugged' ethos. In the absence of powered weapons, it relied on a front 'pushing bar' and rear spiked blade, with the objective to disrupt and 'corral' opponents into X3's lifter. The 'pushing bar' would also offer X4 extra defence against rival lifters and flippers, making it difficult for the whole robot to be stranded on its side.[1][6]
Internally, X4 used drive motors from a 'kiddie car', operated using a Vantec controller and gel cell batteries of two different sizes.[1][6]
Robot History[]
1997 US Championship[]
X7's 1997 campaign began in the Lightweight Face-Off, where it faced the redesigned Gator in the first round.

X3 flips Gator
Both competitors moved tentatively in the opening moments, with the two clusterbot segments splitting up while Dennis Millard's machine experienced control issues. X4 was the first to attack, spearing Gator's right wheel and initiating a pushing match with it. X3 closed in, weathering a sawblade attack from Gator, and proceeded to spin around as X4 kept shoving and spearing underneath the latter. Both halves surrounded Gator; X4 proceeded to push and spin it around near the upper wall. X3, approaching from the side, flicked Gator upwards before pushing it towards the center, freeing its teammate in the process.[8][9][10]

X7 initiates a combined push on Gator
Seconds later, both X7 halves swarmed around Gator once more, taking turns at pushing and lifting it. X4 took this chance to pin Gator in place, though its efforts were interrupted when X3 attempted to flick and clamp the latter with its arm. X3 pushed Gator forwards, but stopped short of the flipper paddle as Dennis Millard's machine turned gingerly away. X4 wasted no time in spearing and pushing Gator once more; this exchange culminating with X3 lifting Gator on top of it, then breaking free after several seconds.[8][9][10]
As the crowd began chanting for the fight to continue, X3 resumed its attacks on Gator. It jostled Dennis Millard's machine a few times with the lifter, but initially without getting either it or X4 to move. At last, X4 squirmed, prompting Gator to spin itself free. After a few moments, X7 began pressuring Gator yet again. While X3 was again grazed by its opponent's saw, X4 pressured the latter into the left-most wall while hooking underneath it once again. A nudge from X3 had little effect, as Gator proceeded to drive weapon-first into the bumper in its attempt to escape.[8][9][10]
With Gator stuck in place - as its sawblade teeth had become embedded in the plywood surface - X4 proceeded to ram it multiple times before Michael Meehan asked the former to show signs of movement. Gator remained stationary, prompting X7 to be declared the winner by knockout as both halves spun in celebration.[8][9][10]
Through to the second round of the main Winner's Bracket, X7 next faced a newcomer in the form of James Underwood's Defiant.
Both segments approached a speeding Defiant in unison, only to be forced apart by the latter's initial ram. A duel started between X3 and Defiant each attempting to use their own pneumatic flippers against each other. Not long after this, X4 was thrown onto its back by Defiant's four-bar weapon. This was followed by a pair of flips which saw X3 being thrown onto its teammate, as the three robots veered dangerously close to the nearby spike hazard. X4, unaffected by the first flip, was briefly clamped by Defiant, which again threw X3 to the side. One such attack sent X3 cartwheeling and balancing on its side, though it survived with getting completely turned over.[11][12]
For a few moments, all three machines dodged each other, before both segments were rammed and X3 was flicked twice more by Defiant's arm. During this phase, Defiant wedged itself into the wall 'kerb' with its flipper partially open. Both halves of X7 capitalized, with X4 driving behind and pinning Defiant in place as it remained stuck for over a minute. X3, gingerly approaching from the right-hand side, also pinned and shoved its trapped opponent, though the lack of action prompted audience members to start booing. A pause to 'unwedge' Defiant was announced by Michael Meehan, just as the latter shuffled and finally managed to break free. X3, having not brought its arm into action, proceeded to push, lift and trap Defiant against the wall once more. X4 circled around and tried to assist, while taking a few hits from the nearby flipper paddle. X3 kept Defiant at bay for the next minute, before finally reversing and releasing the latter.[11][12]
Another hold by X3 was initiated soon after, though X4 found itself being flung and pushed into the opposite corner by a recovering Defiant. With assistance from the nearby bumper, X4 escaped, only to be thrown back into the upright position during another series of Defiant's flips. All three robots kept exchanging rams until time ran out, receiving applause from the crowd following a close and intensly-fought fight. In their subsequent decision, the Judges considered both competitors to be 'too evenly matched'. A tie was declared, enabling X7 to advance to the Quarter-Finals alongside Defiant.[11][12]
There, X7 next fought Razor Back, entered by Bob Schneeveis.
The duo initially approached the center of the arena before separating. X4 was the first to engage, ramming Razor Back with its blade and in turn getting pushed into the upper-left corner. X3 joined in to surround Razor Back, which rammed both halves and got underneath X4 a second time while suffering mobility issues. X3 tried to lift Razor Back from the rear, but missed, before it and X4 were rammed a few more times. This pattern would be maintained throughout the rest of the fight; X4 was later shoved into the wall near a spike hazard, but responded by hooking a gap in Razor Back's shell while X3 again missed with its lifter.[13][14]
X4 was pushed and dragged as the three machines shuttled across the arena. Eventually, both halves of X7 were unable to stop Razor Back from escaping, after which the latter nudged X3 again. In response, both X4 and X3 kept exchanging more rams with Razor Back, the former again spearing through Razor Back's armor with its ramming blade. Both robots were left stuck together for some time, with X4 being dragged around in circles. X3 tried to lift X4 free, but again without success, until Razor Back pulled itself away from the skirmish. X7 pressured Razor Back further near the upper-left flipper, with X4 initiating another pushing match to and from the paddle. As before, X3 struggled to break its teammate free from the embrace. Soon, the end bell rang, with both competitors surviving to a Judges' decision. After another close and evenly-fought fight, the decision and match victory were awarded to X7.[13][14]
In the Semi-Finals, X7 fought a rematch against Defiant, which had defeated Pretty Hate Machine to reach this stage.
As the clusterbots split up, X3 was quickly pressured by James Underwood's machine. Not long after, X4 was rammed, pushed and tossed over the bumper in the lower-left corner, where it remained for some time. X3, brushing aside the flipper paddle on the same side, tried to free its teammate, only to be pushed against the hazard and flicked onto its back panel by Defiant. A forward drive on its rear wheels allowed X3 to re-right itself quickly. While both flipper-wielding machines engaged in a strategic duel, X4 escaped from the bumper, nudging Defiant from the back.[3]

Defiant flips X3 over
Both X7 segments next attempted a pincer movement on Defiant, which responded by pushing X3, then scooping up and flicking X4 away. A follow-up attack almost saw X3 turned over against the wall, opposite the upper-left flipper. Arm raised, X3 landed on its wheels and quickly escaped, while X4 was pushed into the upper-right wall by Defiant. Another head-to-head exchange resulted in X3 briefly lifting Defiant by the front-right corner, as X4 rushed in to ram Defiant from the same side. Defiant responded by throwing X3 over against the upper-right flipper. While nearly fully upside-down, X3 tumbled back onto its wheels through contact with the flipper paddle itself. X4 again tried to pin Defiant in place; Defiant flicked both clusterbots away as it was maneuvered into and held against the flipper. A few more flipper attacks allowed Defiant to toss X4 onto the wall in the upper-left corner. X4 got hooked on the top of the 'curb' as it was pulled back, but managed to escape once again.[3]
Near the center of the arena, X3 was flipped completely over through another of Defiant's attacks, and pushed into its recovering teammate. While managing to self-right, it was next pushed directly under the upper spike trap, which speared, pinned and tried to lift X3 off the floor. X4 charged in to help its teammate, which missed a lift as the match entered its final minute. Both of the X7 clusters were flicked around several more times; one attack turned X4 back upright; another pitched X3 vertically once again, forcing it to self-right using its back wheels. Further rams were exchanged between all three robots, until Defiant flipped X3 over against the spike trap wall. On this occasion, X3 struggled to self-right using its arm, even as X4 pushed it clear of the hazard. Both halves were violently rammed by Defiant, the impact sending X3 cartwheeling into the wall just before time ran out.[3]
After an energetic and close battle, both competitors survived to a Judges' decision. On this occasion, X7 lost the decision and match victory, eliminating it from the Lightweight Face-Off championship at that stage.[3]
Returning for the Lightweight Melee tournament, X7 would be allocated to fight Defiant for the third time in its preliminary round. The two machines faced the Australian Black Widow, alongside Penelope, Pretty Hate Machine and Webster for a chance to qualify for the overall final.
X7 initially focused on attacking Pretty Hate Machine; both halves swarmed around and rammed Christian Carlberg's walker, with X3 struggling to lift it with its arm. They were soon joined by Defiant, which briefly turned its attention towards pressuring X3 while X4 kept ramming Pretty Hate Machine. As X4 retreated, Defiant threw Webster on top of it, the attack leaving the latter unable to self-right. X3 backed into Pretty Hate Machine again, only to encounter and be pushed by Defiant as it tried to drive away from the scene. A subsequent chase forced X3 to briefly drive over the inverted Webster, before it darted away as Defiant threw the latter on top of Pretty Hate Machine's saws. Both parts of X7 would ram Pretty Hate Machine once more.[4][5]
A few tentative moments passed, until X3 was thrown onto its side against Pretty Hate Machine by Defiant. It was soon turned back over and re-righted, as X4 again rammed Pretty Hate Machine while dodging the newly-crowned Face-Off champion. Soon, both X7 segments were flicked around yet again during a wave of attacks from Defiant's flipper. This culminated in X4 being thrown onto the top of the lower wall 'curb', directly behind the spike hazard, where it was left stranded. X3 attempted to free X4 from its perch, only for Defiant to push and throw it into a sideways roll. Landing on its wheels, it was then turned over against the wall, where it was unable to self-right until the final minute. Though X4 had already been immobilized for more than thirty seconds, X3 again tried to free it from the lower 'curb'. In turn, this lead to Defiant throwing and lifting X4 twice more. X3 struggled to prise X4 free with either its arm or rams, as the Melee reached its full conclusion.[4][5]
While X3 remained functional, it was deemed that the whole of X7 had been immobilized as a result of X4's wall stranding. X7 would thus not qualify for the Lightweight Melee final, which was ultimately won by Defiant.[4][5]
Results[]
X7 - RESULTS | ||
1997 US Championship | ||
Lightweight Face-Off Semi-Finals | ||
Round 1 | vs. Gator | Won |
Round 2 | vs. Defiant | Draw |
NOTE: After the Judges declared a tie, X7 and Defiant progressed to the Quarter-Finals together. | ||
Quarter-Final | vs. Razor Back | Won |
Semi-Final | vs. Defiant | Lost |
Lightweight Melee Round 1 | ||
Melee | vs. Black Widow, Defiant, Penelope, Pretty Hate Machine, Webster | Lost |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 2
- Losses: 2
- Draws: 1
NOTE: X7's draw in the Lightweight Face-Off, in which it progressed alongside Defiant, is not considered an outright win.
Series Record[]
1994-1997 US Competitions[]
Events | X7 Event Record |
---|---|
1994 | Entered with The X-1 |
1995 | Entered with The X-1 Entered with Holobot (Mike Winter) |
1996 | Entered with The X-2 |
1997 | Lightweight Face-Off, Semi-Final Lightweight Melee, Round 1 |
UK Series[]
Series | X7 Series Record |
---|---|
The First Wars | Did not enter |
The Second Wars | Did not enter |
The Third Wars | Middleweight Melee & War of Independence with Tentoumushi |
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 |
The records above reflect those of team members Mike Winter and/or Dennis Adams only.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 'Robot Wars 1997 Interview: Mike Winter and team with The X7 and Doughboy', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 1 2021
- ↑ 'Contestants: Lightweight Class', 4th Annual Robot Wars (1997) souvenir programme, pp.2-3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 'Robot Wars 1997 Lightweight match: The Defiant versus X7', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 8 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 'Robot Wars 1997 Lightweight Melee 1', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 10 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 'LIGHTWEIGHT MELEE ROUND 1', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 'X7', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 'X2', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 'MATCH: X7 VS GATOR', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 'Robot Wars 1997 - X7 vs Gator', diabolicalmachine (YouTube), uploaded April 3 2009
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 'Robot Wars 1997 Lightweight match: X7 versus Gator', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded April 16 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 'Robot Wars 1997 Lightweight match: X7 versus The Defiant', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded April 20 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 'MATCH: THE DEFIANT VS X7', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 'Robot Wars 1997 Lightweight match: Razorback versus X7', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 7 2021
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 'MATCH: X7 VS RAZOR BACK', Team Spike website (archived)
External Links[]
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