3.2.1. ACTIVATE. Robot Wars returns!

[Dartzap]

Beeb

Mentorn Scotland, part of the Tinopolis Group, has been commissioned by BBC Two to produce a new series of the man and machine battle series Robot Wars, it was announced today.
The iconic entertainment show will return as a 6x60’ series and will feature a new structure with more robots, more battles and more science than ever before.

The new series includes a raft of technological advances since the show first aired over a decade ago, and viewers can expect to see more innovative fighting machines as teams of amateur roboteers battle it out to win the coveted Robot Wars title.

The show will be recorded in a new purpose-built fighting arena in Glasgow, allowing viewers to get even closer to the action, with state-of-the-art cameras capable of capturing every crushing, sawing and scorching moment in incredible detail.

With the rate robotics, batteries, 3rd printing and all the other tech gubbins have advanced in the last decade, we could see some pretty impressive new bastards! Right up until the descendent of Razer appears to smite Hypno Disc and brings forth Ragnorak.

[Jub]

That's cool. Robot wars and Battlebots both being back is awesome.

I wonder if we could convince a network to put Scrapheap Challenge back on the air?

[Jaepheth]

That's cool, but I want to see no-designs-barred robot battles between actual defense contractors. (most likely to be held on artillery test ranges)

[Dartzap]

Well it is being filmed in Glasgow...

[Eternal_Freedom]

Sweet. I hoe they bring back some of the early series events, like the gunatlet and pinball, rather than just 3/4 bouts of two robots fighting each other. Fun as it was that got kinda dull over the course of an episode.

I also second the wish for Scrapheap Challenge to return, that was fuckign awesome. Back then (when I was about 11 or 12 I think) I got to spend all sunday afternoon watching TV (SG-1, Atlantis, Scrapheap Challenge and finally Time Team)...oh those were the days.

[biostem]

I still feel that the simplest approaches will prevail - something like the very flat flippers, or ones with a single powerful spike. While I enjoy the show and concept immensely, I'd like to see them break it up into categories - like vehicle shaped, flying drone battles, and humanoid.

I'd love to see a match where the combatants must, for instance, have 4 or more legs as their only means of propulsion, for instance, or where they may only use limbs for attack, (no ramming, etc).

[Eternal_Freedom]

They did have an occasional special for walkers rather than wheeled robots, though those tended to be way more complicated. Since they're weight-limited rather than size-limited having excessively complex drive systems means less power for weapons.

As for your no-ramming, well IIRC most robots used flippers or hammers or circular saws/flywheels rather than just ramming. Certainly all the really popular/successful ones did (Chaos 2, Hypnodisc, Razor etc)

EDIT: I like the flying-drone battle idea though

[biostem]

They did have an occasional special for walkers rather than wheeled robots, though those tended to be way more complicated. Since they're weight-limited rather than size-limited having excessively complex drive systems means less power for weapons.

As for your no-ramming, well IIRC most robots used flippers or hammers or circular saws/flywheels rather than just ramming. Certainly all the really popular/successful ones did (Chaos 2, Hypnodisc, Razor etc)

EDIT: I like the flying-drone battle idea though

I've seen events where people "battle" RC planes, by equipping them with streamers, and victory being determined by whomever can tear off their opponent's. I wonder if you could do something similar with quadrotors, or have the referees stick a little army man on the drone, and have that be the target.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Interesting...

As a young unattached male, I will also request a return of a the attractive blonde co-host in tight leather trousers. Any word on who's hosting this?