Panda Monium was a robot that competed in Series 2 of Robot Wars and was the first in the line of robots from Team Panda.
It was originally a reserve, just like Griffon, but was called in at the last minute. Despite this, it managed to reach the Arena stage of its Heat where it lost to the eventual heat winners Napalm. It was nearly 5kg over the Heavyweight limit at the time. In Series 3, the robot was replaced with More Panda Monium, who failed to qualify due to being badly damaged when it was dropped as it was about to enter the arena. Jonathan Pearce still misquoted Panda Monium as a Series 3 competitor when the team returned in Series 6 with Hot Pants.
Panda Monium's name was a pun on pandemonium.
Design
Panda Monium's insides
Panda Monium was a triangular box shaped robot which ran on go-kart wheels imported from a French hypermarket and the body was made from expanding foam polypropelene. Its main weapon was a ramming spike that also had the ability to raise and lift, although an axe was originally planned.
- "The original Panda concept (with an axe - not completed for series II)."
- — Big Pants page on the Team Panda website
Robot Wars
Series 2
Panda Monium completes the Gauntlet
Panda Monium was originally a reserve robot for its opening Robot Wars appearance, but was involved in the first heat of the Second Wars, after Cassius was forced to withdraw. In the Gauntlet stage of the heat, Panda Monium went through the Ramrig, only to get stuck. It managed to soon break away however, with it managing to complete the course, placing third out of sixth overall on the leaderboard, allowing it to progress to the Trial.
- "And they're through with the power of Thor's hammer!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Panda Monium completes the course
Matilda's chainsaw slices through Panda Monium's armour
In the Trial, which for this heat was Skittles, Panda Monium went straight through the centre and knocked down some barrels. It then struggled to get down any more barrels in the triangle, due to its lack of power, forcing to reverse and slam into the barrels again. After the third attempt, it was then attacked by Matilda, with her chainsaw slicing through Panda Monium's top armour, before pushing it away from the barrels. Cease was later called, and although Panda Monium had only knocked down nine barrels, this was still enough to put it third again on the leaderboard, thus meaning it was to progress to the Arena stage.
Panda Monium awaits Napalm in the Arena
Matilda flips Panda Monium over
In the heat Semi-Final, Panda Monium was drawn up against Dartford Girls Grammar School's Napalm. To avoid a frontal slam from Napalm's front shovel, Panda Monium tried an indirect attack on Napalm, but crossed over the line that represented a Corner Patrol Zone. This allowed Matilda to stop Panda Monium in its tracks, before flipping it over with her tusks. Since Panda Monium could not self-right, it lost the battle, thus eliminating it from the competition.
Results
| PANDA MONIUM - RESULTS | ||
| Series 2 | ||
| The Second Wars - UK Championship Heat, Arena Semi-Final | ||
| Heat A, Gauntlet | Completed (3rd) | Qualified |
| Heat A, Trial (Skittles) | 9 Barrels (3rd) | Qualified |
| Heat A, Semi-Final | vs. Napalm | Lost |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
Series Record
| Main Series | Panda Monium Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Heat, Arena Semi-Final |
| The Third Wars | Failed to qualify with More Panda Monium |
| The Fourth Wars | Failed to qualify with More Panda Monium Failed to qualify with Big Pants |
| The Fifth Wars | Failed to qualify with Big Pants |
| The Sixth Wars | Entered with Hot Pants |
| The Seventh Wars | Entered with Thunderpants |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
| Robot Wars Extreme | Appearances |
| Series 1 | Entered with Pants |
| Series 2 | Entered with Pants |
Trivia
- Jonathan Pearce incorrectly stated Panda Monium's loss to Napalm as having taken place in Series 3 while commentating on Team Panda's first round battle in Series 6.