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For the UK Series 2 competitor, see Prometheus (UK).

Prometheus was an American competitor robot which fought in the 1996-1997 US Robot Wars competitions, as well as international events filmed as part of Robot Wars: The Third Wars.

A total of three distinctively different incarnations would compete, the first two only being seen in US events. The original 1996 build was eliminated early from that year's Heavyweight Face-Off, upon being defeated by Vlad the Impaler in the second round.[2] Footage of this defeat would appear in official Robot Wars merchandise, in the form of clips shown in the American Robot Wars 1996 and American Robot Wars Final 1996 VHS releases.

Prometheus II - featuring a radically different appearance - also lost its first 1997 Face-Off battle to Vlad the Impaler, but recovered with a victory over Badger in the Loser's Bracket.[3][4][5][6] Benefiting from TallyWhacker's forfeit, it would reach the third stage, before finally being eliminated by DooAll.[7][8][9] Prometheus II also survived its opening round in the Heavyweight Melee tournament, but 'retired' before it could progress to the overall finals.[10][11]

The Prometheus build seen in televised UK competition appeared in The First World Championship and the International League Championship. In the former, it was eliminated in the first round by regular Series 3 competitor Weld-Dor after its engine cut out mid-battle. Despite suffering similar problems in its first International League fight, Prometheus performed well enough to finish on a draw alongside Dutch opponent Techno-Lease. Prometheus would ultimately forfeit its place due to technical issues, in what proved to be its team's final robot combat appearance.

Versions of Prometheus[]

1996[]

Prometheus96

The original 1996 version of Prometheus

In its original form, Prometheus was a tapered box-shaped robot with front and rear wedge shapes, driven by two gearmotors and two outer wheels made from machined aluminum. The rest of the robot's construction was formed by a welded steel tube frame, protected by armor plates made from sheet metal of an unspecified type. A small castor supported the front of the machine, which generally had a high ground clearance.[12]

Prometheus' weapon in this incarnation was a set of twin 'jackhammer' spikes, which reciprocated through a camshaft-driven mechanism. The spikes would constantly fire back and forth while the mechanism within was active, the weapon system operating via a 'large electric motor'. In practice, Prometheus' spikes did not inflict much damage to opponents, with contemporary accounts suggesting that they were more useful at pushing them aside.[12]

1997 (Prometheus II)[]

While keeping the electric 'jackhammer' weapon of its predecessor, Prometheus II adopted a radically different shape comprising of an invertible diamond. Gel cell batteries and a Vantec speed controller powered the drive system, which incorporated two long roller-type wheels made out of 6-inch diameter aluminum electrical conduits. Both drive motors were placed inside the rubber-lined wheels, with the top and base plates supported by ball castors.[13]

Prometheus II's 'jackhammer' consisted of a single 3/4-inch spike, now operating through a crankshaft. The whole robot was armored in aluminum sheet panels, themselves riveted onto the welded square steel tube chassis.[13]

Series 3[]

"A two-stroke petrol engine produces seven horsepower. The weapon's a circular saw, the body and frame aluminium, and at up to 30mph it is the joint-fastest in the field."
— Jonathan Pearce summarises Prometheus' features (The First World Championship)
PrometheUSteam

The Prometheus team in their televised introduction

Referred to as simply "Prometheus", the 1999 incarnation was a tall, cut-off bi-wedge robot with an all-aluminum construction, angled sides and a set of pulsating blue LED lights at the top-front. Powered by a 7hp two-stroke gas engine, accompanied by a 'backup' electric motor, it was capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 30mph, one of the highest in the televised Classic era. Prometheus in this form was at one point fitted with a circular saw integrated into its front wedge shape, as seen and mentioned in most of its introductions. However, the saw was removed ahead of battles for unknown reasons.

While possessing excellent speed for the time, along with the ability to push opponents well, Prometheus suffered frequent reliability issues with its engine and twin drive motors. Its drive system also appeared to lack any form of reverse gearing, severely hampering its ability to move away from the wall, CPZs and House Robots if it drove into them wedge-first. These problems ensured that Prometheus did not enjoy much success in either of the televised international championships it competed in.

Robot History[]

1996 US Championship[]

Debuting in the 1996 US competition, Prometheus initially received a bye from the opening round of that year's Heavyweight Face-Off championship.[14] Its first battle thus took place in the second round, where it was drawn against fellow newcomer Vlad the Impaler. Brief footage from this would appear in American Robot Wars 1996 and American Robot Wars Final 1996.[15]

In the full battle, Prometheus was first to move from its starting position, heading into the center. It was soon rammed multiple times by Vlad the Impaler, the attacks appearing to compromise its mobility. Prometheus' right wheel appeared to lock up frequently, as it was then shoved into the lower wall - between the mousetrap and right-most flipper - by Gage Cauchois and Gregg Walker's machine.[2]

Another ram by Vlad the Impaler followed, with Prometheus struggling to escape from the corner for several seconds. Eventually, it started crawling across the arena boundary, only to suddenly stop, allowing Vlad the Impaler to initiate more ramming attacks. Prometheus twitched, but could not escape a further pummelling from its opponent. Vlad the Impaler's rams were enough to leave it completely immobilized in the corner, eliminating Prometheus from the Heavyweight Face-Off at this early stage.[2]

1997 US Championship[]

Prometheus II reprised its team's appearance in the 1997 Heavyweight Face-Off. As in the previous year, its first battle saw it challenge an updated Vlad the Impaler.

Vladvsprometheus2

Vlad the Impaler stabs its forks into Prometheus II

In the opening seconds, Prometheus II started well, prodding and rounding Vlad the Impaler up against the upper wall. However, its attempt to back out was blocked by the nearby spike hazard. A second ram resulted in Prometheus II being scooped up, lifted and held off the arena floor by Vlad the Impaler's forks. This would last for several moments, with Vlad the Impaler initially failing to respond to the Judges' orders to release Prometheus II. Once the crowd began booing at Gage Cauchois' machine, Prometheus II was then turned over by a shove from the former.[3][4]

Arena spike vlad vs prometheus

Prometheus II is rammed under the arena spike

Prometheus II, in its retreat, drove into the upper-left wall. There, it was again rammed and lifted by Vlad the Impaler, whose left fork became wedged in one of Prometheus II's wheelarches. Prometheus II was rendered helpless as Vlad the Impaler controlled it into the arena center, against the wall, and under a spike trap. The spike repeatedly thrust down on one of Prometheus II's wheels, then pierced through its aluminum base and dislodged its radio battery. The battery dropped and hung from beneath Prometheus II while Vlad the Impaler held it in place.[3][4]

Though still fully functional, Prometheus II was high-centered on the battery once Vlad the Impaler lowered it back on the arena floor. It was rammed and lifted against the spike once more before time ran out, with the match ultimately going to a Judges' decision. Despite Vlad the Impaler's sustained pinning - a tactic no longer considered viable under the 1997 rules - Prometheus II was still deemed to have lost the battle.[3][4]

Prometheus II would fight again in the Loser's Bracket, for a chance to potentially be reinstated in the overall finals. Here, it would face James Bloeman and Badger.

Both competitors initially met in the center of the arena, where Badger briefly hit side of a turning Prometheus II. Undeterred, Prometheus II rammed the front of Badger, but without any significant effect, only to drive under and take multiple stabs from the upper spike hazard. Recovering, it proceeded to push Badger across the arena, taking advantage of the limited traction provided by the latter's 'claw wheels'. The two heavyweights found themselves between the spike and the upper-right flipper; Prometheus II began firing its 'jackhammer' spike, but without causing any noticeable damage.[5][6]

Prometheus II again resisted an attempted shove by Badger, this time from the left-hand side. In response, it rammed and pinned its opponent against the lower-left flipper, starting a tentative pushing match between the duo. Prometheus II, while initially struggling and crashing into the hazards, won out, eventually cornering Badger against the upper-left wall sections. The back-and-forth tussle continued from that side of the arena until time ran out. In their deliberation, the Judges deemed Prometheus II the winner, awarding Richard Brull's team their first-ever Robot Wars victory.[5][6]

In the next stage of the bracket, Prometheus was due to fight TallyWhacker. During preparations for this battle, however, TallyWhacker's engine could not be started, forcing the Distraction Laboratories machine to forfeit.[16] Prometheus II advanced to the next round by default, facing Scott LaValley and his latest tracked heavyweight DooAll.

Instantly, it was scooped up by DooAll's recently-fitted snowplow, and was powerless to avoid getting pushed into the upper-left corner and lower wall. Prometheus II survived hits from the nearby arena flipper in the process. Upon being released, it was pressed against the same wall by DooAll, then dragged back across the arena. Prometheus II was next steered into the upper spike, which, similarly to its battle against Vlad the Impaler, struck down on its roller wheels and top armor. DooAll also sustained blows from the spike before the two competitors again separated.[8][9]

Prometheus II continued to be rammed, chased and pushed by DooAll, this time finding itself being pressed against the upper-right flipper. This pattern would be sustained as the match entered its final minute, with DooAll nudging Prometheus II from behind. Prometheus II responded by briefly pushing DooAll from the left-hand side, in turn causing the latter to be briefly struck by the nearby arena spike. Another tentative chase and pushing match followed, with neither robot gaining an advantage over one another. Prometheus II ended the match by getting slowly pushed into the flipper once more. With DooAll losing drive power, it rammed the former one last time as the end bell rang. Both robots survived to a Judges' decision, which ruled in favor of DooAll. Prometheus II was thus eliminated from the Heavyweight Face-Off at that stage.[8][9]

Prometheus II would make a further appearance in the Heavyweight Melee tournament. In the first round, it was drawn to face Hercules, Kill-O-Amp and The Landshark.

Quickly, it began pressuring Kill-O-Amp across the arena, forcing the latter to drive over the top of Hercules. Prometheus II would then pin Hercules between itself and The Landshark, with Jim Smentowski's machine having suffered collision damage to its lifter. However, Kill-O-Amp drove around its side, then began pushing it around in circles. All competitors soon gathered near the center, with Prometheus II still being pushed by Curt Meyers' machine until the latter succumbed to mobility issues. The three remaining robots pulled away one-by-one. Prometheus II, by then suffering from power supply issues of its own, backed up and stopped between Kill-O-Amp and The Landshark, which turned into its side.[10][11]

Heavyweightmelee landshark killoamp hercules prometheus

Kill-O-Amp lays immobile as Prometheus II and Hercules gang up on The Landshark

Prometheus II bumped the lifeless Kill-O-Amp, before it and Hercules proceeded to gang up on The Landshark. However, it would proceed to nudge the already immobile Kill-O-Amp forwards, while firing its spike repeatedly in thin air. From that point, it would struggle for mobility with Kill-O-Amp by its side, before joining Hercules and The Landshark in the inner-right perimeter during the closing moments. Prometheus II was still considered officially mobile at the end of the full battle, though it was 'retired' ahead of the Melee Finals. Thus, it would not compete any further in the Heavyweight Melee tournament.[10][11]

Series 3[]

International League Championship[]

The 1999 build of Prometheus competed in the International League Championship, filmed after but televised before The First World Championship. Representing the USA, it first fought Techno-Lease from the Netherlands in the group stages, having been allocated to Group B.

Prometheus vs Techno-Lease

Prometheus and Techno-Lease engage in a pushing match between each other

It started the fight tentatively, before slamming head-on into Techno-Lease and engaging in a pushing match with the Dutch machine. Both robots shook and circled round as they rammed each other, with Prometheus' top panel eventually coming loose as a result of their vibrations. Sergeant Bash came out of his CPZ to try and separate both robots, but to no avail, before pushing Prometheus away. Even so, Prometheus and Techno-Lease promptly resumed their shoving match, with Prometheus eventually pushing Techno-Lease into Sergeant Bash's CPZ. Sergeant Bash nudged Prometheus away from Techno-Lease. It became clear that both robots had become immobilised at the same time, with Prometheus smoking and Techno-Lease failing to drive itself off the arena spikes. The battle was declared a draw, giving both Prometheus and Techno-Lease one point apiece.

"Well, Mrs. Pavarotti thought she had it hard when she gave birth to Luciano, but not even she had to do that much pushin'! Obviously a draw!"
Craig Charles announces the draw

Once back in The Pits, the Prometheus team praised the battle and the 'very powerful' drive system aboard Techno-Lease, which had taken them by surprise.

Stephen Lane: "That's a very powerful machine."
Richard Brull: "It's incredible."
Stephen Lane: "To lock horns with this unit and... go one-to-one - very powerful! My hats off to those guys. Good match! It was fun."
Richard Brull: "Yeah, for electric to push gas like that, it takes a lot of power."
— The Prometheus team on Techno-Lease's strong drive

Next, Prometheus was due to fight English representative Razer. However, as a legacy of its earlier breakdown, the robot was shown to be smoking in The Pits as its team tried to fix it from their bench. Despite his and his teammates' efforts, Richard Brull dejectedly announced to Philippa Forrester that they had been forced to 'retire' Prometheus from the competition. It was confirmed at that point that the robot was left with 'no movement' due to burnt-out drive motors, and could not be returned to a battle-ready state in time. Prometheus' forfeit awarded Razer its first three points by default; the USA entry was eliminated from the International League Championship at that point.

The First World Championship[]

Representing the United States of America, Prometheus fought in the First World Championship, facing Northern Irish entry Weld-Dor in the first round.

Welddorvsprometheus

Weld-Dor lifts Prometheus up

Prometheus Weld-Dor

Prometheus surges over the pit

Both robots slammed into each other in the middle of the arena, but were unable to push each other as Weld-Dor briefly exposed Prometheus' ground clearance with its forks. Weld-Dor backed away, allowing Prometheus to charge forwards over the edge of the pit and into Sir Killalot, where it became apparent that it was unable to reverse itself on its own accord. Prometheus steered away from Sir Killalot, only to drive into the wall and pin itself there. Weld-Dor took advantage by lifting Prometheus with its forks, with Prometheus driving itself forwards to spin both robots around the arena as Weld-Dor slammed it into the wall. Both robots continued spinning in the middle of the arena as nuts and bolts fell from under Prometheus after a collision with Shunt, who came out of his CPZ to bulldoze and separate the pair. Prometheus ended up wedged on top of Shunt, and was axed by Weld-Dor as Shunt lifted it further up using his own axe. Prometheus dislodged the top part of Shunt's body before its engine suddenly cut out, immobilising it on the spot.

Prometheus Weld-Dor 2

Weld-Dor pins Prometheus against the arena wall

Prometheus Weld-Dor 1

Prometheus breaks down while suspended on Shunt

"Ooh, that is! They've stalled! Listen to the hush in the arena! The engine's gone, it's stopped, they're out of it!"
Jonathan Pearce as Prometheus' engine cuts out

Shunt pushed and dragged Prometheus around until it finally slipped off the top of his axe and back onto the arena floor. 'Cease' was called, and Prometheus was eliminated from the First World Championship, with the team revealing the cause of its immobilisation to be a severed fuel line.

Results[]

PROMETHEUS - RESULTS
1994-1997 US Competitions
1996 US Championship
Heavyweight Face-Off
Round 2
Round 1 vs. No opponent Bye
NOTE: Prometheus received an automatic bye into the second round.
Round 2 vs. Vlad the Impaler Lost
UK Series
Series 3
International League Championship
Representing USA, Group Stage
Group B, Battle 1 vs. Techno-Lease (NED) Draw
Group B, Battle 2 vs. Razer (ENG) Forfeited
NOTE: Prometheus retired after its first battle due to burnt-out motors; Razer was awarded victory by default.
The First World Championship
Representing USA, Eliminators
Eliminator vs. Weld-Dor (NI) Lost
PROMETHEUS II - RESULTS
1994-1997 US Competitions
1997 US Championship
Heavyweight Face-Off
Round 1; eliminated in Loser's Bracket, Round 3
Round 1 vs. Vlad the Impaler Lost
Loser's Bracket, Round 1 vs. Badger Won
Loser's Bracket, Round 2 vs. TallyWhacker Won via forfeit
NOTE: TallyWhacker withdrew as its engine could not be started for this battle.
Loser's Bracket, Round 3 vs. DooAll Lost
Heavyweight Melee
Withdrew after Round 1
Melee vs. Hercules, Kill-O-Amp, The Landshark Survived
NOTE: Prometheus II 'retired' from the Melee competition after this battle.

Wins/Losses[]

  • TV Wins: 0
  • TV Losses: 2
  • TV Draws: 1
  • 1994-1997 Wins: 2
  • 1994-1997 Losses: 3
  • Total Wins: 2
  • Total Losses: 5
  • Total Draws: 1

NOTE: Prometheus' 1996 bye, and Prometheus II's victory via forfeit against TallyWhacker, are both omitted from the Wins tally.

Series Record[]

1994-1997 US Competitions[]

Events Prometheus Event Record
1994 Did not enter
1995 Did not enter
1996 Heavyweight Face-Off, Round 2
1997 Heavyweight Face-Off, Round 1; eliminated in Loser's Bracket, Round 3 as Prometheus II

UK Series[]

Series Prometheus Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Did not enter
The Third Wars World Championship, Round 1
International League Championship, Group Stage
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

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • In each of Prometheus' UK Series battles, captain Richard Brull was the only member of the team to appear in their control booth.
  • Alongside frenZy and WYSIWYG, Prometheus was one of three robots to have competed in both the 1994-1997 US competitions and the televised UK Series in some form.

References[]

External Links[]

Prometheus on the official US Robot Wars website (archived 2 May 1997)

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