Robot Combat League

Robot Combat League (RCL) is a television show on the Syfy network about robot fighting competitions. On the show, teams use exosuits to control fighting robots. The series is hosted by Chris Jericho, and premiered on February 26, 2013 at 10 PM EST.

Robot Combat League
GenreAction
Presented byChris Jericho
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Production companySmart Dog Media
Release
Original networkSyfy
Original releaseFebruary 26 (2013-02-26) 
April 23, 2013 (2013-04-23)
External links
Robot Combat League @ syfy.com Website

Overview

Each weekly show features tournament competitions between 8-foot, 1000-pound[1] humanoid robots controlled by human competitors, one robo-jockey and one robo-tech per team. The series features twelve teams of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Each team is paired with a robot that they control using an exo-suit that directs its movements. Each fight goes three rounds, and the winning team advances.[2] There are 12 total robots.

The robots range from an axe-headed laser eyed warrior to a robot made of plexiglass and a roll cage.

The robots and the suits used to control them were created by robotics expert Mark Setrakian.

Rules

    • Fights consist of three,^ two-minute rounds
    • Three ringside judges score the action to determine a winner
    • Points are awarded to strong solid hits to vital parts
    • Teams have a pit crew and twenty minutes in between rounds to make all necessary repairs
    • Judges can stop a round early due to excessive damage
    • Robots can be KO'd if they are unable to make the bell signifying the round's end

[3]

^Note : In the season one finale's championship fight there were five two-minute rounds, with the winner being the first team that won three rounds out of the five.

Competitors

Each team consists of a uniquely themed robot and two human controllers.

  • One human is the "Robo-Jockey," controlling the robot's arms and torso while standing via an exosuit-like harness strapped to his or her back and arms.
  • The other human is the "Robo-Tech," seated in a chair while using two joysticks to control the robot's feet and any other unique parts, such as the movable axe "head" on A.X.E.

Each robot is powered by hydraulic and pneumatic actuators. Each robot moves on two feet, stabilized by a bar that attaches at the back of the robot, above the legs. The robots each have six actuators at the waist, and several more in each arm. The robots are all styled and painted to be unique and distinct from each other. This unique styling is especially expressed in the different types and designs of armor that cover each robot, from sheet steel, to steel pipe roll cages, to carbon fibre, to leather. The robots' hands are also all individually styled, and can be quickly detached to facilitate repairs between rounds, or swapped out for weapon attachments. Several cameras may be mounted on each robot by the show staff to capture show footage, but none of the camera images were used to help control of the robot.

The robots are controlled by the "Robo-Jockey" and "Robo-Tech" via direct line-of-sight, from two raised platforms at either end of the arena.

The initial team seed order was determined by a timed challenge in the first episode.

Episodes

Overview

SeasonEpisodesSeason premiereSeason finale
1 9 February 26, 2013 (2013-02-26) April 23, 2013 (2013-04-23)
2 9 February 25, 2014 (2014-02-25) June 3, 2014 (2014-06-03)

Season 1 (2013)

No. Title[4] Original air date[5] Powerup Challenges / training / match-ups[6] Fight winner(s)
1"Rise of the Machines"Feb. 26, 2013Man meets machine / Steel Cyclone vs CrashCrash
2"Blood, Sweat and Gears"Mar. 5, 2013Scorpio vs Commander / Thunder Skull vs BrimstoneScorpioBrimstone
3"A Hero's Journey"Mar. 12, 2013Game Over vs A.X.E./ George Lucas cameo[7] / Robo Hammer vs Drone StrikeA.X.E.Drone Strike
4"The Fight of Your Life"Mar. 19, 2013Special training with Freddie Roach / Steampunk vs MedievalSteampunk
5"The Next Level of Carnage"Mar. 26, 2013Big surprise / Quarter-finals begins / A.X.E vs ScorpioScorpio
6"Kicking Bot"Apr. 2, 2013Steampunk vs Drone Strike / Crash vs BrimstoneSteampunkCrash
7"Wild Card Fight"Apr. 9, 2013Steel Cyclone vs Thunder Skull (both voted in by remaining teams) / Weapon selectionSteel Cyclone
8"Semi-Finals"Apr. 16, 2013Crash vs Scorpio / Steampunk vs Steel CycloneCrashSteampunk
9"Built Like a Champion"Apr. 23, 2013Powered weapon reveal & corner man selection / Crash vs SteampunkCrash

Season One teams and competition results

Robots

SeedRobotSpeedStrengthEnduranceHeightWeightReachStrengthsWeaknesses
1Steel Cyclone9657'0"768 lbs41 in• Torpedo fists with hemispherical striking surface
• Low profile head and torso
• Medium armor crumple zone
2Commander51088'4"814 lbs46 in• Tank tread feet for extra traction
• Giant fists
• Exposed midsection
3Game Over6988'7"760 lbs40.5 in• Massive steel and polycarbonate body armor• Top heavy
4Brimstone10768'2"756 lbs42 in• Hammered steel dome is impenetrable
• Leather armor absorbs impact
• Hydraulic fluid breaks down leather armor
5Medieval6887'11"775 lbs42.5 in• Spike ball
• Shock mounted arm shield
• Asymmetrical design may be difficult to control
6Robohammer8868'0"766 lbs40 in• Chromoly steel fists are heaviest of all robots• Must maintain striking distance
7Drone Strike6988'0"792 lbs43.5 in• Gatling fists
• Complete torso protection
• Shallow armor crumple zone
8Steampunk57108'3"819 lbs44 in• Deep armor crumple zone for excellent endurance
• No shoulder armor for best arm mobility
• No shoulder armor
9Thunder Skull5988'5"785 lbs40.5 in• Massive steel fists are long and heavy
• Steel armor with excellent coverage
• No easy access for repairs
10A.X.E.5787'10"842 lbs37.5 in• Axe-head weapon
• Excellent front armor protection
• Must maintain close range to fight effectively
11Scorpio9858'1"760 lbs43.5 in• Blade weapons
• Carbon fiber composite armor
• Carbon fiber armor is not as strong as steel
12Crash75107'9"826 lbs38.5 in• Chromoly steel roll cage• Roll cage is hard-mounted, does not absorb impact

[8]

Human competitors

SeedRobo-JockeyRobo-TechNotes
1Bayano Kamani, former Olympic athleteDr. George Kirkman, robotics teacherWon Wild Card round; returned in semi-finals
2Jeffrey Fellin, helicopter pilotPaulo Younse, JPL engineerDid not participate in Wild Card selection
3Keisha Howard, pro gamerAnnika O'Brien, robotics engineer
4Devonric Johnson, former All-American athleteRussell Tait, mechanical engineer and software developer
5John Peel, former college athleteHeather Knight, electrical engineerDid not participate in Wild Card selection
6Amanda Lucas, MMA fighterSaura Naderi, roboticistDaughter of George Lucas, cameo appearance episode 3
7Ciji Thornton, pro gamerFazlul "Fuzz" Zubair, rocket scientist
8Ashley Mary Nunes, superhero impersonatorKyle Samuelson, robotics teacherAssisted by Fazlul "Fuzz" Zubair in Championship
9Heather Williams, race car driverBrandon Lewis, I.T. specialistLost Wild Card round
10Andrew Montanez, MMA fighterRoss Mead, PhD, robotics researcher
11Diana Yang, industrial design studentChris Hardouin, toy designer
12Amber Shinsel, software engineerDave Shinsel, software managerFather/daughter team; assisted by Ross Mead in Championship

Tournament results

  Teams Quarter-finals Semi-finals Championship
                                     
12  Crash Rd.2  
1  Steel Cyclone KO  
  12  Crash Rd.3  
 
  4  Brimstone KO  
4  Brimstone Rd.2
9  Thunder Skull DQ'd  
  12  Crash 84  
 
  11  Scorpio 81  
11  Scorpio Rd.3  
2  Commander KO  
  11  Scorpio Rd.1
 
  10  A.X.E. KO  
10  A.X.E. Rd.3
3  Game Over UD  
  12  Crash 144
 
  8  Steampunk 136  
7  Drone Strike Rd.1  
6  Robohammer KO  
  8  Steampunk 90  
 
  7  Drone Strike 75  
8  Steampunk 88
5  Medieval 83  
  8  Steampunk 86  
  Wild Card   1  Steel Cyclone 85  
 
  1  Steel Cyclone Rd.3
  9  Thunder Skull KO  

Season One team status

SeedRobotRobo-JockeyRobo-TechTeam statusDefeated byWinsLossesFinal positionNotes
1Steel CycloneBayano Kamani,
former Olympic athlete
Dr. George Kirkman,
robotics teacher
Knocked out in Round 2 of first fight;
lost by decision (86–85)
Crash and Steampunk12Semi-finals (Ep. 8)Won Wild Card round;
returned in semi-finals
2CommanderJeffrey Fellin,
helicopter pilot
Paulo Younse,
JPL engineer
Knocked out in Round 3Scorpio01First fight (Ep. 2)Did not participate in Wild Card selection
3Game OverKeisha Howard,
pro gamer
Annika O'Brien,
robotics engineer
Lost by decisionA.X.E.01First fight (Ep. 3)
4BrimstoneDevonric Johnson, former All-American athleteRussell Tait, mechanical engineer and software developerKnocked out in Round 3Crash11Quarter-finals (Ep. 6)
5MedievalJohn Peel,
former college athlete
Heather Knight,
electrical engineer
Lost by decision (88–83)Steampunk01First fight (Ep. 4)Did not participate in Wild Card selection
6RobohammerAmanda Lucas,
MMA fighter
Saura Naderi,
roboticist
Knocked out in Round 1Drone Strike01First fight (Ep. 3)Daughter of George Lucas,
cameo appearance episode 3
7Drone StrikeCiji Thornton,
pro gamer
Fazlul "Fuzz" Zubair,
rocket scientist
Knocked out in Round 3Steampunk11Quarter-finals (Ep. 6)
8SteampunkAshley Mary Nunes,
superhero impersonator
Kyle Samuelson,
robotics teacher
Lost by decision (144–136)Crash31Championship (Ep. 9)Assisted by Fazlul "Fuzz" Zubair in Championship
9Thunder SkullHeather Williams,
race car driver
Brandon Lewis,
I.T. specialist
Disqualified during first fight /
Knocked out in Round 3
Brimstone and Steel Cyclone02Wild Card (Ep. 7)Lost Wild Card round
10A.X.E.Andrew Montanez,
MMA fighter
Ross Mead, PhD
robotics researcher
Knocked out in Round 2Scorpio11Quarter-finals (Ep. 5)
11ScorpioDiana Yang,
industrial design student
Chris Hardouin,
toy designer
Lost by decision (84–81)Crash21Semi-finals (Ep. 8)
12CrashAmber Shinsel,
software engineer
Dave Shinsel,
software manager
Undefeated(Undefeated) 40Champions (Ep. 9)Father/daughter team;
assisted by Ross Mead in Championship

Semi-finals match-ups

Robo-JockeyRobo-TechSeedRobotSpeedStrengthEnduranceWinsLossesStatusNotes
Ashley Mary NunesKyle Samuelson8Steampunk571020Won
Bayano KamaniDr. George Kirkman1Steel Cyclone96511LostWon Wild Card round
Amber ShinselDave Shinsel12Crash751020WonFather/daughter team
Diana YangChris Hardouin11Scorpio98520Lost

Championship match-up

Robo-JockeyRobo-TechSeedRobotSpeedStrengthEnduranceWinsLossesStatusNotes
Amber ShinselDave Shinsel12Crash751040ChampionFather/daughter team;
assisted by Ross Mead
Ashley Mary NunesKyle Samuelson8Steampunk571031LostAssisted by Fazlul "Fuzz" Zubair
Championship scores
Round 1 2 3 4 5 Final score
Judges30–2529–2530–2729–2830–27144–136
WinnerCrashCrashSteampunkSteampunkCrashCrash

See also

References

  1. Hibberd, James (20 November 2012). "Giant boxing robots reality show unveiled by Syfy". insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  2. "About | Robot Combat League | Syfy". syfy.com. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  3. "Rules of the Game | Robot Combat League | Syfy". syfy.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  4. "Episodes | Robot Combat League | Syfy". syfy.com. Retrieved 17 Apr 2013.
  5. "Robot Combat League – Episode Guide – Zap2it". tvlistings.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  6. "Robot Combat Tournament | Robot Combat League | Syfy". syfy.com. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  7. "Filmmaking Legend George Lucas Appears on 'Robot Combat League' Tuesday, March 12 on Syfy". TV by the Numbers. 2013-03-06. Archived from the original on 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  8. "Meet the Robots | Gallery | Robot Combat League | Syfy". syfy.com. Retrieved 19 Apr 2013.
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