GroundHog

Groundhog
Participation Information
UK Series	2
Team Information
Team	Team RFM
Team Members	Graham Bone Alex Mordue
From	Durham
Robot Statistics
Weight	79.3kg
Dimensions	1.15m x 0.86m x 0.40m
Clearance	35cm
Top Speed	8mph
Power	3x 12 V batteries (12Ah)
Drive	4x Elu motors (12V)
Weapons	Horizontal 12" cutting disc
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

GroundHog (occasionally referred to as The GroundHog) was Team Firestorm's original entry for Series 2 of Robot Wars. GroundHog passed both the Gauntlet and Trials, in which it caused Sir Killalot to topple in the former, before losing its only arena battle to Loco.

The Team behind GroundHog would go on to compete through series 3-7 with the wildly successful Firestorm.

Design

"The original plan was to have a robot which we could build simply for the least amount of money. Basically we wanted a rectangular cuboid steel chassis with a wheel at each corner, covered with steel plate. After thinking about this design we decided to go for something more ambitious, partially because we were worried about ground clearance (a very large number of robots in RWUK'97 were getting stuck on objects in the arena due to very little ground clearance) and Mentorn had written to all the entrants saying that the more exciting your robot was the more chance it would have of being on the TV. To solve the ground clearance problem we decided to add legs to our cuboid to raise it up off the ground. This would have the problem that it would make the robot much more unstable, and therefore more likely to be tipped over. To solve this the robot must be able to raise and lower itself, and if neccessary work upside-down. AND THUS the GroundHog was born..."

— GroundHog website on the design of Groundhog

GroundHog in the gauntlet

GroundHog in the arena

Ground was a basic box-shaped robot, but with four wheels on the end of four protruding legs, which could raise the body up and down, allowing for a very high ground clearance in obstacle-based events. They could also turn around 360 degrees, to make the robot invertible. Each wheel was powered by a cordless drill motor, and driven by a gearbox from an angle grinder. The rear wheels were unique "omniwheels," tyres embedded with rubber rollers that allowed them to skid sideways. This type of wheel would later be used by Razer, and most ambitiously by Sweeney Todd. Its weapon was a 12' horizontal cutting disc at the front of the robot, powered by a cordless lawnmower motor. The robot took 6 weeks to build, costing around £450.

"The wheels took about 20 hours to make (hours of fun with a hacksaw trying to cut 48 pieces of silver steel to exactly the same size). A patent has been applied for through Black and Decker under the title re-inventing the wheel."

— Alex Mordue on patenting the robot's unique wheels

The robot's chassis was made from MIG welded 1 inch box section steel, and the robot was armoured in 2mm stainless steel plate. The legs were 13cm diameter tubes made from 6mm thick steel. The robot was powered by three 12 volt batteries, and driven by four Elu motors.

The Team

Main article: Team Firestorm

"Like a lot of other people in the late 90's, we were watching Robot Wars on the TV, Season 1, and looked at that and went "Those are crap! I could do better than that!" Turns out we couldn't..."

— Alex Mordue on entering Robot Wars and building GroundHog, interviewed in 2020

GroundHog with Graham Bone and Alex Mordue

GroundHog was built by Team RFM, made up of two 19-year old Durham University students, Graham Bone and Alex Mordue. Graham was studying mechanical engineering and worked for Black and Decker, whilst Alex was studying electrical engineering. Outside of Robot Wars, Alex Mordue worked as a web designer, and designed the GroundHog website

The team went on to become more famous for their second robot, three-time Robot Wars Grand Finalist Firestorm.

Qualification

GroundHog with standard wheels

"The first thing Graham was asked when he took the robot down to London for weighing in, etc. was "Does it walk?". Sorry to disappoint everyone but it doesn't. Walking robots look really cool but in most cases they are no match for their wheeled counterpart."

— Alex Mordue on the resemblance to walking robots

The build of GroundHog started on 26th June 1998, and the robot was finished in less than one month before attending the Second Wars auditions on the 19th July 1998, although Graham Bone had to work alone for most of that process due to Alex Mordue going on holiday in the two weeks before the auditions. Graham Bone got the robot ready the day before the audition, working for eight hours. At the auditions, GroundHog did not have the "omni-wheels", as work on them started in August, after being selected. The producers asked the team if GroundHog was a walking robot, which was not the case but GroundHog was nevertheless selected to compete in Series 2.

Robot History

Series 2

Sir Killalot topples while holding GroundHog

GroundHog survived The Gauntlet, despite moving very little. It took the central route, but it got caught on the ramp, and was unable to move. Sir Killalot came over, picked it up with its hydraulic claw and lifted it into the air, prompting booing from the audience. However, as it tried to move forward, GroundHog's weight overbalanced Sir Killalot, and pulled it over, immobilising both robots and causing Sir Killalot to leak hydraulic fluid.

"And they're going nowhere, as Killalot comes in! Oh, he plucks GroundHog up so effortlessly! Turns and twists, ready for the kill... NO! They've killed Killalot! He's been dragged to the ground, it's never happened before! This is the king of the House Robots, this is unbelievable!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Sir Killalot topples

Despite only covering 4.4m, GroudHog qualified for the next round as Rampage covered just 3.0m.

"Our first claim to fame. Sir Killalot (new to the series and never defeated) picked us up and proceeded to fall over :) yey! 30 minutes and much banging later he let go. In all we covered about 4 meter's - just enough to go through"

— Team FireStorm website on GroundHog's Gauntlet run

GroundHog's 'net' attachment (harness in yellow) for the Football Trial

GroundHog is turned over against the side rails by Matilda; note the 'net' attachment

In the Football Trial, GroundHog was equipped with a net attachment for possessing and handling the ball, attached underneath its body from the legs using yellow straps. Despite this, the robot's long-legged shape made it difficult for it to gain an early advantage, along with gearbox damage left over from its impact with the arena floor when it toppled Sir Killalot previously. GroundHog spent much of the first two rounds trying to deflect the ball away as Cassius and Loco scored their goals first.

"...in all the pre fight excitement, we had wired one of the controllers up incorrectly and we were going round in circles. Never mind. Still mobile after the time ran out, even hit the ball a couple of times. Through again."

— Team FireStorm website on GroundHog's Football Trial

However, it would not get a chance to score in the third round despite attempting to possess the ball a few more times, even after it was set on fire by Sergeant Bash. All three remaining competitors were eventually immobilised by the House Robots - GroundHog falling last after Matilda rammed it from the side and flipped it over against the arena wall. By this stage, the Judges were called in to decide which robot would progress. Despite not scoring a goal of its own, GroundHog still went through after Sting was deemed to have been immobilised first.

The two machines lock horns

GroundHog clashes with Loco

In the Arena Semi-Final stage, GroundHog faced a tough draw against the more conventionally-designed Loco. Loco was easily able to push it around due to the lack of pushing power provided by its long legs, and was shunted into the Perimeter Patrol Zone, where it was attacked by the House Robots. After taking punishment from Shunt and Dead Metal, it was pushed onto Matilda's tusks, allowing her to lift GroundHog up and shove two of its legs over the edge of the Pit. Its long legs caused it to overbalance and roll in sideways, landing upside-down in the Pit and ending its run in the competition.

"Control problems again. Logo a much more stable platform. Loco won and we ended up in a pit - cheer."

— Team FireStorm website on GroundHog's battle with Loco

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

NOTE: GroundHog's successful Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included

Series Record

Main Series	GroundHog Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Heat, Arena Semi-Final
The Third Wars	Entered with Fire Storm
The Fourth Wars	Entered with Firestorm 2
The Fifth Wars	Entered with Firestorm 3
The Sixth Wars	Entered with Firestorm 4
The Seventh Wars	Entered with Firestorm 5
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Entered with Firestorm 3
Series 2	Entered with Firestorm 4

Gallery

GroundHog during construction

The insides of GroundHog

Concept design of GroundHog

GroundHog, still in Sir Killalot's grasp, following its Gauntlet run

Outside Robot Wars

There were plans for GroundHog to compete in a live event in February 1999 between the Second and Third Wars, although the event ultimately never went ahead. GroundHog remained in working order after Series 2, but it was fully retired.

Trivia

• If GroundHog had been placed against Cassius in the Arena stage, then Team Firestorm would have gone on to fight every robot or team who came 2nd in the main competition before Series 8.

External Links

• Archived GroundHog site