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"Sorry Mate I Didn't See You. If you're a biker or a cyclist, you know exactly what that means."
— Mik Reed

S.M.I.D.S.Y. (which stood for Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) was a heavyweight robot, which competed from Series 3-7 of Robot Wars, also competing in both series of Robot Wars Extreme. It was built by a group of motorbike enthusiasts who formed their team over the internet, giving S.M.I.D.S.Y. the unique identifier of being "From Cyberspace" as opposed to "From Kent" or "From West Sussex" as other robots were identified.

Throughout its career, S.M.I.D.S.Y. became one of the mainstays of the series; though it would never reach a semi-final of a domestic championship or win a combat tournament, it competed in seven series and five UK Championships (the same amount as many major all-stars). It also reached the heat finals of Series 4, 5 (in which it was seeded twenty-fourth) and 7 (in which it was seeded thirteenth), losing to Panic Attack, Chaos 2 and Atomic on those occasions respectively. By the end of Series 7, S.M.I.D.S.Y. had become the only three-time heat finalist not to reach the semi-finals.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. had an aggressive battle strategy and was capable of dominating robots even without the use of its weapon. Despite having nine losses, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was defeated by UK Semi-Finalists on all eight of those occasions to take place after the robot's debut battle. Some of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s most famous battles include its Series 6 melee, in which it dominated Warhog, Comengetorix and future semi-finalist St. Agro, and its violent loss to Terrorhurtz in Extreme 2.

Design[]

"The first stage was to identify the dangers faced by a RobotWars robot. We came up with something like this- The robot can be out-manoeuvred. Our robot would have to be fast, manoeuvrable, easy to drive and have plenty of traction. The robot can be damaged by other robots, the house robots and the arena itself. Our robot would have to be a compact design, armoured against piercing and cutting weapons, flame-proof and be constructed throughout in a manner resistant to shock and vibration. The robot can be disabled by other robots, the house robots or the arena obstacles. We had all seen TV footage of robots on their backs or grounded on obstacles, sitting ducks for being pushed into the pit. Our robot would have to be heavily armoured, able to run inverted and have sufficient ground clearance to negotiate debris on the arena floor"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website on designing S.M.I.D.S.Y.[1]
Smidsy

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in Series 3

Smidsy s4 back arena

S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s rear spikes in Series 4

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was built in early 1999 in the garage of Andy Pugh, after months of the team members sending each other suggestions and designs over the internet.

"Many elements of SMIDSY were chosen with the Gauntlet in mind, but that aspect of the game was dropped before we ever fought. Luckily, being low-slung, stable and manoeuverable is good in a fight too!"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website on designing S.M.I.D.S.Y.[2]
Smidsy arena 4

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in the arena during Series 4

SMIDSY S4

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in the pits for Series 4

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was a black and red decorated invertible box-shaped robot with aluminium sides (later upgraded to titanium) which ran on go-kart wheels to give it four-wheel drive. Its main weapon was a set of jaws on the front described as "the Gnashing Jaws of Doom", which could either lift, grab, or act as a wedge. The weapon was operated by a luxury car seat actuator, which was later replaced by a windscreen wiper motor. The advantage of these jaws was that they could reset as a wedge even if S.M.I.D.S.Y. was flipped, rather than leaving the wedge set as a gaping ground clearance, which robots such as Tornado often suffered from.

"They describe their weaponry as gnashing jaws, crushing jaws, “lift you up and dismember you jaws”. Cor, they can’t half “jaw”, this team! They say it took six weekends to build and six months talking about it!"
— Jonathan Pearce in Series 3

The robot also featured a PVC air cooling duct inside the robot, to prevent it from overheating - however, earlier versions of S.M.I.D.S.Y. were coated in flammable leather on top. The robot's drive system was powered by Bosch GPA750 24V 1HP permanent magnet DC units, overvolted to twice their regulated power, made possible through the internal cooling system[3].

"When it opens those jaws wide, S.M.I.D.S.Y. looks like a giant, great big black and red... clothes peg, I think"
— Jonathan Pearce in Series 3
Smidsy3

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in Series 5

S.M.I.D.S.Y. originally featured a set of ramming spikes at the back. After the Extreme 1 weight increase, a 11-12.5 kg horizontal spinning disc replaced these spikes, spinning at 200 mph at its teeth, with a wider chassis built to accommodate the new weapon. In Series 3-5, the side armour of S.M.I.D.S.Y. was prioritised, and secondhand polypropylene pipe coated the sides of the robot, creating a curved appearance[4].

Smidsy

Official profile for Series 6

Smidsyext2offical

Official image of S.M.I.D.S.Y. in Extreme 2

"We have rebuilt the entire robot for the 2001 War, because the weight limit was increased by 20kg, which was enough to fit in a whole new weapon - a 200mph, 15kg disk which damages walls, other robots, bits of wood, my thumb, whatever comes near it! At the same time, we built a new chassis, better jaw actuators, re-organised the insides to give more room, pretty much everything was rebuilt, better than before, and in only about twice as many weekends as we estimated. Once again, our thanks to the Pugh family for playing host to lots of bikers who turn up, make a lot of noise with machine tools, sleep all over the house and then vanish into the night."
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website on designing S.M.I.D.S.Y.[5]
S.M.I.D.S.Y

Official Series 7 photo

SMIDSY rear

Rear view of S.M.I.D.S.Y., demonstrating its spinning disc and adjusted tyre pressure

After Series 5, S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s jaw was replaced by a simple lifting scoop with steel teeth for Series 6 and Extreme 2. The disadvantage of the lifting scoop was that unlike the jaws it couldn't reset itself as a wedge if S.M.I.D.S.Y. was flipped which left a big ground clearance that robots such as Dantomkia and Atomic easily exploited. However, the team never really relied on these weapons, preferring to use S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s formidable pushing power and speed to pit their opponents or merely send them into CPZs for the House Robots to take care of.

Later into its career, S.M.I.D.S.Y. started adjusting its tyres so that the rear set of wheels would push the robot's body higher up than the front wheels, giving S.M.I.D.S.Y. a slightly more angled approach into the arena floor and lowering its front ground clearance in the process.

"The best weapons in the arena are the House Robots, so we just push them all into all the house robots and let them do the big damage"
— Robin Bennett in Series 7

Etymology[]

Smidsy logo

The S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Team Ixion logos, circa 2002

TeamIxionLogo

Team Ixion Logo

The name S.M.I.D.S.Y. was an acronym which stood for "Sorry Mate, I Didn't See You". This term is used by motorcyclists, in reference to a common excuse used by vehicle drivers who are responsible for traffic collisions and near-accidents threatening the less-visible motorcyclist. Team Ixion consisted entirely of motorcyclists, hence the name.

In turn, the name "Team Ixion" is derived from the British motorcycling club, IXION.

The Team[]

"As 1998 drew to a close, a bunch of about twenty motorcyclists who are among the subscribers of a mailing list for UK bikers called IXION started talking about the Robot Wars series which was airing on BBC TV at the time. Motorcyclists are by nature people who build and modify machines, so it was only a matter of time before a heated discussion about the design shortcomings of the on-screen robots threw up the question-"Why don’t we have a go at Robot Wars ourselves?". Like I said, it all seemed like such a good idea at the time. After a lot of heated email discussions and a meeting in a rather good pub in Oxford, we all threw £20 into the kitty to give ourselves a fighting fund and set to designing our robot."
— Team Ixion website on the origins of S.M.I.D.S.Y.
Team Ixion SMIDSY Series 3

Team Ixion introduce S.M.I.D.S.Y. in Series 3

SMIDSYTeam5

The team with S.M.I.D.S.Y. in the pits during Series 5

TeamIxionEXT2

Team Ixion in Extreme 2

TeamIxionS7

Team Ixion in Series 7

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was entered into Robot Wars by Team Ixion, a group of motorcyclists from across the UK, containing around twenty members overall. The team originally consisted of Mik Reed, Robin Bennett and Andy Pugh, this lasting from their debut in Series 3 up until Series 6.

"We had the idea at a meeting of the Ixion club at the Harcourt Arms near Oxford. We were trying to think of weapons we could fit to our bikes that would clear the streets, then someone had the idea of putting them on a robot and entering it for Robot Wars."
— Steve Bennett on the origin of S.M.I.D.S.Y., interviewed in Ultimate Real Robots magazine[6]

Andy Pugh was absent in Extreme 2 and Series 7, being replaced by Steve Bennett, a relative of Robin, in these series. Mik Reed was the captain of the team for every series except for the Seventh Wars where he was absent, with Mike Fleming taking his place. Robin Bennett, the only team member present in all of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s appearances, was made the team captain for Series 7.

"The original one was built by Andy Pugh and Mik Reed. Andy had a PhD in physics, I think, and had all the machinery to do it. Mik did all the co-ordinating, planning and admin - generally encouraging the team and leading."
— Mike Flemming, interviewed in Ultimate Real Robots magazine[7]

The team first met each other after communicating through IXION, an online motorcycling club. As a result, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was introduced as emerging "from Cyberspace" in Series 5, due to the team meeting online, and living in separate cities. Team captain Mik Reed was based in Sussex, with Robin Bennett living in Kent, and Andy Pugh living in Yorkshire. Until Series 7, besides the Fifth Wars and Extreme 1, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was introduced as originating from Kent; in Series 7, it was said to be from Horley in West Sussex.

For the Series 5 qualifiers, two other team members were present on the team, these being Alan Coubrough and John List. They joined Robin Bennett in place of Mik Reed and Andy Pugh as the team wanted other members to experience competing on Robot Wars.

Qualification[]

At the Series 3 auditions, S.M.I.D.S.Y. performed the driving test, but drove into a wall and broke internally, causing it to stop moving, but it still qualified regardless.

"SMIDSY seemed to go through OK. We were 2.2kg under weight (suprised us) and chatted to the various members of the crew quite a bit. Only real hitch was we rammed through the goal (bit enthusiastic there) and hit the back wall and a spade flicked off the battery pack, so we didn't get to show off at the other tests."
— Mik Reed on S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s performance at the Series 3 auditions[8]

S.M.I.D.S.Y. fought two battles at the Series 4 qualifiers. First, it fought Draco. It won the battle, ramming Draco into submission.

"The call comes across, 'Let the wars begin!' And Robin is shooting SMIDSY forward, Draco, caught out by the jump start also begins moving as in our speaker the count of 3... 2... 1... Activate! comes across. About the moment that Activate is mentioned SMIDSY is smashing in under the scoop of Draco and preparing for another hit. We pound in again and again, Andy on the jaw controls, Robin driving round and diving in to gash the sides, or continue to flatten the front scoop. Me, shouting directions over their shoulders. … Draco is trying to get its axe into play, but it stops over 2 inches short of SMIDSY's top, hitting the stops on its bulkhead. Robin has turned SMIDSY and is going in with the spikes, one already bent out of shape thanks to a hard hit on the arena wall. Draco becomes less and less effective and by the time the crowd count down to 0 for the end of the round it's limping with one motor disabled. Surely we've won! Cease is called and the compere announces the judges are not amused with our jump start. Rules can't be broken and sometimes you have to do things you don't like. My heart starts to sink once more, he then announces we have a Yellow Card. This means nothing, I'd been suckered in, I thought the bout was going to be taken from us. He continues, asking the crowd to cheer to decide the winner, bearing in mind our rule-breaking demeanor, Draco gets a poor reception of thumbs down and boo's, he announces SMIDSY and the crowd goes *WILD* :-) . Robin has disappeared down to drive SMIDSY back off of the arena, we're interviewed and blame the jump start on Robin being over eager and getting Red Mist."
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website on the battle[9]

Its second battle was against Kronic the Wedgehog. It managed to survive to a judges’ decision, but lost. However, S.M.I.D.S.Y. had still impressed the producers enough to qualify.

"This time Robin waits (on pain of hard stares) for Activate to be called. Once more we charge towards each other. This is another slugging match. Wedgehog has the same turn of speed as us, we chase them around the ring trying to get spikes or jaws to bear. They are too tight to the ground for us to get under and eventually while we're pushing them from the front they activate the flipper. We are held vertical on their front armour, they flip again, a third time and we're over. Robin hits the arena floor full forward throttle selected and SMIDSY charges straight back in to the fray. We bash and push for a while and then are flipped back the right way up, once more we land and hit out unscathed. This happens a couple more times, we have had some good hits on Wedgehog, they have almost carried us out of the arena. They can't pin us, we can't do serious damage to them. Finally after five minutes of stand up battle cease is called. The crowd are consulted and Wedgehog gets a better response. Sure enough the judges follow suit and the vote goes against us. Bubble a bit burst we return to the pits, only to be told that winning or losing that bout won't necessarily cause problems. Most 'bots only managed one bout, and some had it very easy. We'd just come out of our second stand up fight and it had had one of the best crowd reactions of the day!"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website
SMIDSYS5qualifiers

Team Ixion with S.M.I.D.S.Y. at the Series 5 qualifiers

At the Series 5 qualifiers, S.M.I.D.S.Y. took part on the Sheffield leg of the tour. It fought three battles, the first of which was against Derek and Black Knight. S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Derek took Black Knight out together, before S.M.I.D.S.Y. knocked out Derek to win.

"Everyone's friendly, the guy with Black Knight (another Steve Parker from Doncaster!) says he doesn't mind being trashed, we agree a plan with Derek for us to hold the knight's head in SMIDSY's Jaws whilst they cut it up :) The bout starts, (it all goes a bit fuzzy now) and basically Black Knight gets walloped by us both, Shunt joins in, we have a scrap with Derek, and clout it with the disk. It jars Derek so badly that its safety link falls out :) Black Knight is finished off by Shunt who then starts scrapping with us. A few seconds before the bout ends, Shunt puts its pick through our top armour and into the nice new Cyclon battery :( Bout ends and it dawns on me that we've won!"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website[10]

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was then asked to take part in the next day’s battles, as a reserve. The next day, S.M.I.D.S.Y. fought two more battles, the first of which was against Brute Force and Ignorance. Despite having a low battery, it won the battle because Brute Force and Ignorance broke down.

"As soon as we arrived in the booth the transmitter 'low battery' warning sounded, giving us about a minute before it died. We switched it off until the bout started and were in such a hurry to get it over SMIDSY went on the 3 of 3,2,1... Time goes so slowly when you're in the booth. We stopped half way across the arena and waited for the 'activate'... We rammed them, pushed them around, hit them with the disk etc. They stopped working at some point having never managed to use their flipper. The transmitter switched off entirely but there was so much interference that the bot would occasionally drive across the ring, or spin around, so it looked as if we were moving. Craig came and stood next to us for a better view and to ask what was going on... By leaving the transmitter off for 30 seconds we could get 10 seconds of control before it switched off again, which gave us just enough control to avoid Shunt (and park over the flame pit, which failed to set fire to the vinyl). But we won!"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website

The third battle was a four-way melee against Immortalis, Trident and Viking. S.M.I.D.S.Y. performed well, but ultimately lost the battle. Nevertheless, S.M.I.D.S.Y. qualified for Series 5, and was awarded the 24th seed.

"We attack Trident with the disk and I think it died there and then (well, it was dead when it landed, so we pushed it into the pit :) Immortalis was quietly wrecking itself against any immovable object cus they couldn't steer :( and Viking started tussling with us. This was the point where we lost drive again (low batts). We got shoved into a corner and managed to keep Shunt and Viking at bay with the disk, we got pickaxed again but the damage wasn't so bad. If we'd have gone for Viking first I think we might have won as the other two were BalsaBots but then, who can say :)"
— The S.M.I.D.S.Y. website

At the Series 6 qualifiers, S.M.I.D.S.Y. fought Draven, and won by pushing it into the pit, thereby automatically getting an place in Series 6[11].

The team were due to retire S.M.I.D.S.Y. before Series 7 due to newer robots being too far ahead of its older design.[12] Nevertheless, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was still granted a seeding position for Series 7 and automatically qualified.

Robot History[]

Series 3[]

"The gnashing jaws of doom will be inflicted on anyone who comes anywhere near S.M.I.D.S.Y. I think."
Philippa Forrester

S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s first appearance was in the final heat of the Third Wars, where it fought fellow newcomer Rattus Rattus in the first round. No trace of its future skill was evident yet, as it was suffering from radio interference and moving slowly and sporadically.

"What we had was a solid dangerous and competent robot, with a flakey second rate and suspect Radio Control system. We are more than happy that given a degree of actual control of SMIDSY we’d have won our bout after a good solid scrap. As it was we suffered from crippling interference from the second the chainsaws were activated and were unable to do anything much at all. I doubt the cameras will show us dangling Robin out of the cherry pickers by his ankles to try and get control over SMIDSY, but they ought to (well we were almost doing it!) Even with the fact we couldn’t actually control SMIDSY everyone reckoned the bout was one of the best filmed that day as our opponents kept on attacking as best they could (they were also suffering from interference but to a lesser extent.)"
— Mik Reed describes S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s radio issues on the S.M.I.D.S.Y. website[13]
Rattus rattus vs smidsy

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is charged by Rattus Rattus

Rattusvssmidsy

Rattus Rattus drives over S.M.I.D.S.Y.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. edged away at the start, while Rattus Rattus charged in for an attack, sliding beneath and past S.M.I.D.S.Y. before reversing its grinder into Team Ixion's machine. S.M.I.D.S.Y. sat still, only opening its jaws as Rattus Rattus attacked again, but Rattus Rattus' attack resulted in it driving over an arena spike and being tossed up and down. During this, S.M.I.D.S.Y. had started to move. As Rattus Rattus tried to regather some composure from its incident involving the arena spike, S.M.I.D.S.Y. edged towards them; Rattus Rattus turned, however, and edged S.M.I.D.S.Y. towards Dead Metal. S.M.I.D.S.Y. got away from danger, as Rattus Rattus flew over and past them. Rattus Rattus crashed into S.M.I.D.S.Y. twice in quick succession, while S.M.I.D.S.Y. continued to weakly drive in Dead Metal's direction, and Rattus Rattus shunted it onto an arena spike.

"Really, S.M.I.D.S.Y. is doing very little attacking work, it's all Rattus Rattus, and eventually it’s just going to push S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the CPZ."
— Jonathan Pearce
Rattus rattus vs smidsy arenaspikes

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is stabbed by the arena spikes

SMIDSY spike

S.M.I.D.S.Y. gets flipped by the arena spike

Both robots then spun around, before S.M.I.D.S.Y. slowly positioned itself back onto the arena spike, which bounced it three times, with Rattus Rattus then shoving it aside and getting bounced itself. Dead Metal seized S.M.I.D.S.Y., but its claws were too high to grasp it. Rattus Rattus came in to knock the escaping S.M.I.D.S.Y. back in towards the CPZ, but its body-shell bumped into Dead Metal's claw and was knocked askew. Rattus Rattus slammed into reverse and escaped, but backed onto the flame pit, before Shunt came in and lifted Rattus Rattus up with its scoop, keeping it over the flame pit, causing it to smoke.

"The Rattus Rattus are really good guys, we wouldn't have even fought today if they hadn't lent us half their tools and a good chunk of their spares!"
— Robin Bennett, gracious in defeat
SMIDSY pit

Dead Metal puts S.M.I.D.S.Y. out

Meanwhile, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was in a tussle with Sir Killalot, before zipping across the arena floor and into Dead Metal's claws. Rattus Rattus nudged into S.M.I.D.S.Y., keeping it in Dead Metal's grip, which then sliced into it. Dead Metal then wandered out of his CPZ and towards the pit, while still cutting into S.M.I.D.S.Y. The House Robot stopped temporarily, before he pushed S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the pit, beaching himself over the edge in the process.

"There again, we thought we could beat all the robots in our heat, and they agreed. Then it just didn't work. There is an immense luck factor (and having a potentially good but actually poor 'bot will obviously count against you, as was the case with us). Next year, Mwahaahahahahah, we hope to have enough control to drive ourselves into the pit!!!!!!!"
— Andy Pugh on a Google forum in the Year 2000[14]

Series 4[]

"Upgraded from the last war, we’ve got titanium side panels instead of aluminium, we’ve lowered the gearing so it’ll steer better."
— Mik Reed on the improvements to S.M.I.D.S.Y.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. returned to the wars with a more reliable radio system and titanium replacing the aluminium armour.

"That’s gas main, we picked when they were digging up the roads, they don’t put pickaxes through the pipes, we figured they wouldn’t put pickaxes through the side of the robot."
— Mik Reed on the armour

Its first battle was against Overkill GTI, another robot that went out in Round 1 of the previous series, and fourth seed Panic Attack, champion of Series 2.

S.M.I.D.S.Y

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushes Overkill GTI

From the off, both Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. moved towards Overkill GTI. S.M.I.D.S.Y. got underneath Overkill GTI's high ground clearance and pushed it over the flame pit, with Overkill GTI tearing up the arena floor in the process with its wedge digging into the floor while being pushed.

"And look at the damage caused here to the arena floor! A great chunk taken out!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Heat O

S.M.I.D.S.Y. rams Panic Attack, whilst Panic Attack lifts Overkill GTI

S.M.I.D.S.Y. then charged at the seeded Panic Attack, before it ran up the front of Overkill GTI and was flipped over. Panic Attack got underneath the front of Overkill GTI, and pushed it into an arena wall, before lifting it up and placing it on a wall spike. Panic Attack then took Overkill GTI off the spike and lifted it up by one of Overkill GTI's tyres. Panic Attack continued to carry it until a ram from S.M.I.D.S.Y. caused Panic Attack to drop Overkill GTI. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then drove over the front of Overkill GTI, and it was flipped over again. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Overkill GTI towards the arena side wall, where Panic Attack came in to lift Overkill GTI again - this time balancing it upright against the arena wall. One of Overkill GTI's flipping arms collapsed against the arena side wall, before firing the other arm in an unsuccessful attempt to self-right. In the meantime, S.M.I.D.S.Y. had strayed into Dead Metal's CPZ, where sparks flew upon S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s contact with Dead Metal's circular saw. Dead Metal tried to grasp S.M.I.D.S.Y. in its claws, but S.M.I.D.S.Y. was beneath them. Panic Attack lifted the troubled Overkill GTI and it crashed back down onto the arena floor, only for S.M.I.D.S.Y. to reverse into it and push it into Dead Metal's CPZ. Dead Metal grasped Overkill GTI and brought its circular saw onto Overkill GTI's armour, while Panic Attack overturned S.M.I.D.S.Y. next to the arena wall, before it retreated towards the centre of the arena. At this point, Overkill GTI looked to have a flat tyre, and was driving at a much lower speed. Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. then worked in conjunction, with Panic Attack reversing and S.M.I.D.S.Y. driving forwards, pushing Overkill GTI onto the edge of Sir Killalot's CPZ. While trying to attack Overkill GTI, S.M.I.D.S.Y. strayed into Sir Killalot's CPZ, but it was able to escape, only for Panic Attack to ram it into an arena spike. Panic Attack reversed into Overkill GTI once again, pushing it into an arena wall, before a pushing match between Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. occurred.

"Panic Attack - little bit of a tug of war with S.M.I.D.S.Y."
— Jonathan Pearce

Panic Attack then pushed S.M.I.D.S.Y. all the way across the arena, near to Sgt. Bash's CPZ. In the closing seconds of the battle, both S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Panic Attack took turns at raising Overkill GTI. The battle ended with S.M.I.D.S.Y. holding Overkill GTI up. The Judges put Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. through to the next round, where it was drawn against the 20th seed Aggrobot 2.

"We've got about the same sort of pushing power, we've got similar weapons, it’s going to be down a bit of luck, driver’s skill, we’ll see how it goes, could go to the judges"
— Mik Reed on fighting Aggrobot 2.
SMIDSY vs Aggrobot

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is lifted by Aggrobot 2

In this battle, S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s full potential was beginning to show. S.M.I.D.S.Y. started the match by making two attempts to get underneath the seeded Aggrobot 2's sides using its own jaws. With the second attempt, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was able to gradually push Aggrobot 2 towards Shunt, but Aggrobot 2 escaped, while S.M.I.D.S.Y. remained statuesque underneath a flamethrower, where the leather top of S.M.I.D.S.Y. caught fire, before the fire extinguished itself while S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Aggrobot 2 back across the arena floor.

"Ooh, a lick of flame to the top there; burning paint, and graphics - charcoaled effect now on the top of S.M.I.D.S.Y."
— Jonathan Pearce

S.M.I.D.S.Y. turned around, and got underneath the front of Aggrobot 2, where S.M.I.D.S.Y. was able to push Aggrobot 2 further across the arena. Aggrobot 2 appeared to make evasive measures, while S.M.I.D.S.Y. attempted to attack the sides of Aggrobot 2 again, with little effect until S.M.I.D.S.Y. finally got underneath Aggrobot 2 again, after which, S.M.I.D.S.Y. made another pushing attack. Aggrobot 2 used its lifting head to get underneath the jaws of S.M.I.D.S.Y., but S.M.I.D.S.Y. escaped, before slamming into Aggrobot 2 into the arena wall at high speed.

"It's S.M.I.D.S.Y. here, doing all the work ... it’s S.M.I.D.S.Y. here on top in this Heat Semi-Final for me, again slamming underneath Aggrobot... so that’s good style, control and aggression from S.M.I.D.S.Y., they’re on top should this go to the Judges."
— Jonathan Pearce as S.M.I.D.S.Y. rams Aggrobot 2

Like S.M.I.D.S.Y. earlier on in the match, Aggrobot 2 remained temporarily statuesque underneath a flamethrower, where Aggrobot 2's wheels were visibly smouldering.

Aggrobot Mounts S.M.I.D.S

Aggrobot 2 mounts S.M.I.D.S.Y.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Aggrobot 2 away from the arena side wall and then got underneath Aggrobot 2 with another drive. With Aggrobot 2 now on top of S.M.I.D.S.Y., it was able to shunt Aggrobot 2 towards the flame pit on the other side of the arena. Aggrobot 2 was now making minimal movement as S.M.I.D.S.Y. nudged it towards Sgt. Bash, who used his pincer to crumple Aggrobot 2. With yet another slam, S.M.I.D.S.Y. drove Aggrobot 2 across the arena and into the arena wall. Aggrobot 2 was left to smoulder underneath the flamethrowers, where its two front wheels caught fire again. The House Robots then treated Aggrobot 2 as immobile, as Sgt. Bash crumpled Aggrobot 2's armour, while Shunt axed the top of it. Sir Killalot tore apart Aggrobot 2's armour using his jaws of life. Aggrobot 2 was situated on the floor flipper, but Dead Metal curiously rammed it off. Sir Killalot picked up Aggrobot 2 once again, spun on the spot before tipping over. Cease was called once Sir Killalot held Aggrobot 2 aloft again, and S.M.I.D.S.Y. went through to the Heat Final.

"S.M.I.D.S.Y. were very impressive, direct on that attack on Overkill, and against Aggrobot, what a performance this was!"
— Jonathan Pearce reviews S.M.I.D.S.Y.’s progress to the Heat Final.

Unfortunately for the team from Cyberspace, the success from S.M.I.D.S.Y. was short-lived as it met the 4th seed Panic Attack once again, this time in the Heat Final.

"If we pick him up and turn him over, he can still run, he’s very small so the forks will lift him up but the wheels will still be able to run so it’s going to be very tough!"
— Kim Davies before the Heat Final

The battle opened with the two robots colliding with each other, after which S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Panic Attack over a flame jet and around the arena. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then drove onto the top of Panic Attack, but was able to drive away before Panic Attack could launch a significant attack.

Panic Attack vs. S.M.I.D.S.Y.

Panic Attack's lifting mechanism slots into S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s wheel arch.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Panic Attack backwards again, but retreated so it could launch a faster ram at the front of Panic Attack. S.M.I.D.S.Y. drove straight up Panic Attack's forks by doing this, falling off the side of the machine, and then attacking again. S.M.I.D.S.Y. drove onto Panic Attack, but Panic Attack could not capitalise, allowing S.M.I.D.S.Y. to push Panic Attack again.

"At the moment, Panic Attack just holding the arena centre. I think they're trying to draw S.M.I.D.S.Y. in here."
— Jonathan Pearce

Panic Attack made its first retaliation by pushing S.M.I.D.S.Y. towards Shunt, but Shunt did not attack. S.M.I.D.S.Y. drove over Panic Attack's forks once more, before attempting a different method of offence, by reversing into Panic Attack.

"Quite even at the moment; S.M.I.D.S.Y. the more aggressive. Perhaps, Panic Attack the more controlled."
— Jonathan Pearce

This moved Panic Attack, and after the two robots made more minor attacks, Panic Attack drove into the claws of Dead Metal. Dead Metal clutched Panic Attack, but did not use its circular saw. When Panic Attack drove away, S.M.I.D.S.Y. drove into the claws of Dead Metal, though Dead Metal could only grab a corner of S.M.I.D.S.Y., which promptly escaped and rammed the rear of Panic Attack. With S.M.I.D.S.Y. in this position, Panic Attack was able to reverse, and push S.M.I.D.S.Y. across the arena.

S.M.I.D.S.Y

Panic Attack drops S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the pit

Once S.M.I.D.S.Y. had driven away, Panic Attack pursued, getting underneath S.M.I.D.S.Y. with its lifting forks, and raising S.M.I.D.S.Y. from the arena floor. Panic Attack's forks fit into S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s wheel arch, so Panic Attack could push and pull S.M.I.D.S.Y. around the arena, holding the leather-coated robot over a flame jet.

"The wheels, from go-karts - little bit of a gap around them, and Panic Attack and Kim Davies have found that gap, and now, that could be the single most decisive moment of this entire heat."
— Jonathan Pearce

S.M.I.D.S.Y. did not catch fire, but was subject to being pressed against an arena spike, and held over the closed pit. S.M.I.D.S.Y. opened its jaws to try and escape, which eventually succeeded, with the Pit descending shortly afterwards. Panic Attack then lifted S.M.I.D.S.Y. onto its top, carried it towards the open pit, and then dropping S.M.I.D.S.Y. into it.

"Oh, they looked so promising!"
— Jonathan Pearce, regarding S.M.I.D.S.Y.

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was therefore eliminated from Series 4, whilst Panic Attack went through to the Semi-Finals.

Craig Charles: "You're a tenacious little robot, and you sort of matched it for power, however you didn't have that little lifter, and [Panic Attack] lifted you up, carried you around, the pit wasn't open, so it carried you around again, then it put you down, and then as soon as the pit opened, it picked you up again and threw you in the pit!"
Mik Reed: "He's the granddaddy, he was winning before we were thinking of building them! I mean, come on! If we're going to lose to anyone, we might as well lose to a previous winner!"
— Post-battle interview
SMIDSYSumo

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is knocked off by Shunt

S.M.I.D.S.Y. also took part in the Sumo Basho and Pinball Warrior Tournament in the same series. During the Sumo, S.M.I.D.S.Y. attached salt shakers to its jaws as a reference to real life sumo wrestlers who threw salt into the ring for good luck. S.M.I.D.S.Y. dodged Shunt deftly, and then attempted to push Shunt off the ring, but couldn't move Shunt's weight. When Shunt freed itself, S.M.I.D.S.Y. flew off the platform, lasting 14.11 seconds to take 5th place overall on the leaderboard.

"S.M.I.D.S.Y. ducked, dived and dodged away from Shunt's mighty bulldozer blade for a grand total of 14.11 seconds. It wasn't enough to win the round, but it was long enough to send the crowd wild with their driving tactics!"
Robot Wars: The Ultimate Guide
SMIDSYPinball

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in the Pinball Warrior Tournament

S.M.I.D.S.Y. competed in the Pinball Warrior Tournament, only managing to score 70 points, taking 14th place out of 16. S.M.I.D.S.Y. started well, driving over the bridge and hitting the multi-ball release, but suffered control issues and started smoking. It knocked over some barrels at the second attempt due to control issues, but could not score any more points as the House Robots blocked the targets.

"It looked a good run, but in the end was disappointing. Flattered only to deceive"
— Jonathan Pearce at the end of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s Pinball run

Extreme 1[]

"We’ve always been tenacious, this year we’ve got more bite, we’re going to smash them up in the ring and leave them to sweep up the pieces."
— Mik Reed’s introduction in Extreme 1

In the first episode of Extreme, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was involved in the Mayhem, and was drawn up against Sumpthing and Pussycat for a place in the first Annihilator.

Pussycat vs smidsy

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushes Pussycat early on

It started by pushing the Series 4 runner-up around a little bit, towards the flame pit. Pussycat veered away and attacked S.M.I.D.S.Y. again, but S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s jaws deflected it. Eventually, Sumpthing made an attack on the two seeded machines, but its first attack on Pussycat dislodged the drive-chain for its saw. S.M.I.D.S.Y., meanwhile, activated the pit (this was the first time the pit release button was shown, despite the pit release button being torn from the wall), but then nearly drove down it, as did Sumpthing. After this, all three robots drove to the other end of the arena, continuing to attack each other. Sumpthing seemed much more sluggish than its two opponents, who began pushing each other, and in trying to catch up managed to impale itself on Sgt. Bash. Matilda eventually dislodged Sumpthing from Sgt. Bash, and attempted to attack Pussycat, who had just pushed S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the CPZ. At this point, part of the cyberspace machine's drive broke, leaving it spinning in circles for the rest of the battle.

"...and S.M.I.D.S.Y. stands in the rear, with its ramming jaws; can flip, can drive over attacks, improved mechanical ability, but for me it's Pussycat and Sumpthing doing all the aggressive work here. S.M.I.D.S.Y. dancing around, dodging"
— Jonathan Pearce as S.M.I.D.S.Y. spins in circles whilst Sumpthing and Pussycat battle each other
Pussycat vs Sumpthing vs SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is nudged into the pit

Sumpthing then rammed into Pussycat, impaling its spike into the previous runner-up's side, but it could not take advantage of this. It took a few shoves from Refbot to finally separate the two, and they both then started attacking the limping S.M.I.D.S.Y., with these attacks forcing it closer and closer to the pit until it got itself beached, whereby Pussycat hit it one last time and forced it in. Time ran out just as Pussycat got S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the pit properly, and the judges ruled in favour of Pussycat over Sumpthing.

"S.M.I.D.S.Y. seems to have lost control there, one side is going round in circles, that'll count against it, and it's teetering and tottering on the brink! And S.M.I.D.S.Y. has gone! S.M.I.D.S.Y. is out of it!"
— Jonathan Pearce

S.M.I.D.S.Y was also involved in the Tag Team Terror competition alongside Sumpthing, the two were dubbed 'the grease monkeys' of the competition by Jonathan Pearce. The pair went up against Cerberus and Thermidor 2 in the first round.

"We're just hoping that they'll [Cerberus and Thermidor 2] run a fair fight, that they won't cheat on us, because we've got everything we need to run them here, just to beat them fair and square, and just run them into the ground, no problem at all!"
— Mik Reed before the battle
Cerberus SMIDSY

Cerberus and S.M.I.D.S.Y lock horns

Sumpthing SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. collides with its team-mate's weapon

S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Cerberus started, and they began by ramming each other head-on, but neither was able to effectively push each other. Cerberus ran into S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s side and the two machines spun around each other. Cerberus' blade-like jaw caused a small scratch on S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s side, before it used its tail to club the Cyberspace machine away. After another glancing blow between the two, S.M.I.D.S.Y. backed into Cerberus, its disc causing a large scar on its tail. It then ran across the arena towards Sumpthing's CPZ, only to collide head-on with Sumpthing's saws, causing sparks to fly. S.M.I.D.S.Y. turned away and rammed head-first into Cerberus again. It tried to push its opponent, but the Cypriot machine spun away and S.M.I.D.S.Y. simply kept driving forward until it ran straight into the arena wall, near Sgt. Bash's CPZ.

"That's a long, long run, that's too long, that's suspiciously long!"
— Jonathan Pearce noting S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s actions
StuckonSMIDSY

Shunt stuck on S.M.I.D.S.Y.

SMIDSY axed

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is axed by Shunt...

SMIDSY pitted

...and then pitted

With S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s wheels still turning, it was evident that it had broken down in forward drive. Sumpthing immediately came out of its CPZ, but failed to utilise its saw blades on Cerberus. It missed a second attack, whereby Thermidor 2 (which was still wearing its Team Lobster baseball cap normally seen in the pits) came out to assist its teammate. This ultimately paid off as Sumpthing became caught between Cerberus' jaws and Thermidor 2's flipper. Thermidor 2 quickly flipped Sumpthing up onto its front, whereby it became stuck; its front spikes preventing its wheels from reaching the ground. Unable to move, and with its team-mate being assaulted by the house robots, Refbot counted out both machines. Thermidor 2 drove towards S.M.I.D.S.Y., which had now stopped completely, and flipped it over. Cerberus and Sgt. Bash rammed it, before Shunt used his axe to make two large puncture marks in S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s top. He then proceeded to overturn S.M.I.D.S.Y. and attacked its underbelly, which held up better to the punishment. In the end, Shunt pushed S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the pit.

Series 5[]

"We’ve updated the speed controllers, so that we’ve got a lot more power, completely rebuilt the chassis, which allows us to put in a 4 ½ kilo disc, 200mph on the teeth. Last year we got to our Heat Final, went out to Panic Attack. We’ll be fine this year, provided we don’t come against a previous winner."
— Mik Reed’s introduction in Series 5
SmidsyvsObsidian

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pins Obsidian against the angle grinder

For finishing in the Heat Final of Series 4, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was seeded 24 out of 24 for Series 5, and came up against newcomer Obsidian in the first round. Obsidian struck with its axe, jumping off the mark quicker than S.M.I.D.S.Y., but the Cyberspace seed was too durable and quick to sustain serious damage. Obsidian continued to strike with its axe, whilst S.M.I.D.S.Y. positioned itself beside Obsidian and shunted it over a CO2 geyser. S.M.I.D.S.Y. ran into Obsidian with its disc, pushing it into Sgt. Bash. There were now gouges in Obsidian's armour, and it was seemingly unable to drive anywhere but in large circles. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Obsidian away from Matilda and Sgt. Bash, opening its jaws in an attempt to tip over its foe and end the battle, but was unsuccessful. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then managed to wedge Obsidian under the angle grinder, where Refbot counted it out.

"The jaws of S.M.I.D.S.Y. open in a victory grin."
— Jonathan Pearce

Refbot finished his count, and Sgt. Bash pulled Obsidian free of the wall. Matilda demonstrated her new flywheel by carving through Obsidian's armour effortlessly. It was finally positioned on the floor flipper and thrown, finalising its defeat.

In the Heat Semi-final, S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s opponent was another newcomer in 8645T.

Philippa Forrester: "But those little faces! You can't be mean to them!"
Mik Reed: "But he's heartless, there's no problem, Robin's just such a driver, he'll go in there and he doesn't care about small, cute kids or anything, he'll just smash up the robot and away you go!"
Philippa Forrester: "It's terrible here!"
— Pre-battle interview, speaking of the children in the 8645T team
8645tsmidsy

S.M.I.D.S.Y. tips over 8645T

8645T attempted a quick snap of the axe but missed its opponent. 8645T managed to clamp its axe weapon down onto S.M.I.D.S.Y. at the second time of asking, but was out-pushed by the smaller machine, with repeated axe blows doing little to deter the twenty-fourth seed. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed 8645T into the side wall, where Shunt axed and lifted it, allowing S.M.I.D.S.Y. to get beneath its ground clearance. S.M.I.D.S.Y. used its jaws as a lifter in order to keep 8645T from landing on its wheels.

"This is all the work being done by S.M.I.D.S.Y. - great tactics as well."
— Jonathan Pearce

8645T was attacked by Shunt and Sir Killalot and eventually freed when Sir Killalot plucked it out and dropped it. S.M.I.D.S.Y. returned to the offensive, using its jaws as a lifter to push 8645T onto its side. Unable to self-right, 8645T flailed on the flame pit and was counted out. Sir Killalot carried it to the floor flipper, but allowed 8645T to land on its wheels and flee. However, the battle was already decided, and S.M.I.D.S.Y. went through to the Heat Final for a second time.

"Yum yum yum. S.M.I.D.S.Y. munched the Beast and out they go. S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the Heat A Final against Chaos 2, the reigning British champions."
— Jonathan Pearce

Here, it went up against Chaos 2, the reigning UK champion and number one seed for the last two series.

"We put off fighting Chaos 2 as long as possible, and here we are."
— Mik Reed on how things go "exactly to plan"
Chaos 2 smidsy

Both robots immobilised at the same time. Notice Chaos 2's damaged flipper panel, which prevented it from righting properly

Both robots charged in and Chaos 2 got its first flip on S.M.I.D.S.Y., throwing it into the air twice. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then drove up the front of Chaos 2, and although S.M.I.D.S.Y. was positioned favourably for a flip, Chaos 2 decided against it. Instead, Chaos 2 charged towards the arena wall, where its flipper exploded into life, hurling S.M.I.D.S.Y. up against the wall and throwing Chaos 2 itself into the air. Chaos 2 positioned itself for a second Out of the Arena flip, but threw itself over in the process.

"They've flipped themselves over! Are we going to see an almighty shock here!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Chaos 2 puts itself into danger

Chaos 2 attempted to right itself twice, but it couldn't self-right due to damage caused by S.M.I.D.S.Y., and Chaos 2 only vented gas without landing on its wheels. Both robots were unable to move, and cease was called early.

"We could be seeing, here, one of the greater shocks in Robot Wars history! Unless S.M.I.D.S.Y. have been immobilised... I think George Francis has been immobilised... What happens now? The judges will have to decide!"
— Jonathan Pearce

According to Andy Pugh of Team Ixion, S.M.I.D.S.Y. fell down from the wall after thirty seconds had elapsed, and proceeded to pit Chaos 2. As this had occurred after 30 seconds, however, this was ignored, and so the battle was restarted. Also, Team Chaos were permitted to repair the damage S.M.I.D.S.Y. had done to the flipper before the rematch.

Chaos2SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. finally goes out

A more cautious S.M.I.D.S.Y. sped around Chaos 2 rather than making frontal assaults. It got beneath Chaos 2's ground clearance, but did not press home its advantage. Chaos 2 flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y., but the invertible machine could merely continue its attack. Chaos 2 flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. into Sir Killalot, who sliced S.M.I.D.S.Y. with its large pincer. S.M.I.D.S.Y. was showing no signs of life, and Chaos 2 positioned it against the side wall once again.

"Killalot gets out of the way, wisely, with Chaos 2 in this sort of mood! Is it inevitable? A retreat, the onslaught, and there they go! Chaos 2 march on! The S.M.I.D.S.Y. boys are beaten by that man George Francis. Out of the arena once again. Aren't they unbeatable?"
— Jonathan Pearce

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was finally hurled out of the arena and Chaos 2 claimed the Heat, eliminating S.M.I.D.S.Y. from the Fifth Wars.

"Power pin flipped out. I'm going to regret thumping that in for a while! ... Saw it as we came out of the arena, dangling up at the top."
— Mik Reed explains S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s lack of power after the battle

Series 6[]

In the Sixth Wars, an unseeded S.M.I.D.S.Y., fighting with newly designed front lifting jaws, fought against newcomer St. Agro and veterans Comengetorix and Warhog in the first round of the Heat.

War Hog vs SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is pushed into Warhog, about to destroy the arena wall.

Smidsys6

Comengetorix axes S.M.I.D.S.Y.

Comengetorix clashed with S.M.I.D.S.Y., lifting the Cyberspace robot, but failed to flip it, while Warhog got up to full spinning speed. It rained axe blows down on S.M.I.D.S.Y., pushing it backwards. St. Agro attempted to flip its opponent, but missed, seemingly locking its own flippers open in the process. Comengetorix, still pushing S.M.I.D.S.Y., pushed Warhog into the arena wall. The arena wall was smashed by Warhog's spinning body when pushed into it. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushes Warhog into Shunt, which lifted the full-body spinner onto the body of S.M.I.D.S.Y., which briefly offered it a "piggy-back". Warhog fought back against Comengetorix, but the robot from the Isle of Wight sped across the arena, slamming into a CPZ, before impaling itself on the arena wall with its axe. Growler tried to rip it free, but failed, bending Comengetorix's axe sideways. After sustaining this damage, Comengetorix finally retrieved its axe and escaped, very nearly driving into the pit in the process, while even Warhog skirted around the edge of the pit for the second time in the melee.

SMIDSY vs Comengetorix vs Warhog vs St Agro

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushes St. Agro into the pit.

Meanwhile, S.M.I.D.S.Y. shoved the defenceless St. Agro into the pit, finally ending the streak of near-misses with the pit, while Comengetorix avoided the House Robots.

"It's now free, and it's gone into the pit? No! Very nearly, ooh, and the crowd! Dear, dear, Warhog's almost gone in, and now finally St. Agro's bitten the dust and they've gone in! Dear, oh dear, oh dear."
— Jonathan Pearce struggles to keep up as St. Agro finally goes into the pit after close shaves for both Comengetorix and Warhog
Warhog Pitted

S.M.I.D.S.Y. puts Warhog in the pit

S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Warhog back towards Shunt, which thrust its axe the wok on top of Warhog, and dragged it around. Comengetorix was pushed into Shunt's CPZ by S.M.I.D.S.Y., but the house robot was still attacking Warhog, so Comengetorix attacked the vulnerable machine as well. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pushed Warhog across the arena, over the flame pit, and into an empty CPZ, and began to lift it. Growler came slamming in, knocking Warhog onto the top of S.M.I.D.S.Y. for a second time, which once again, paraded Warhog around the arena, carrying it all the way to the pit, and dropped it in.

"Warhog piggybacking again on S.M.I.D.S.Y. again, trying to take a ride through to the later stages, it's not going to work boys! Go on S.M.I.D.S.Y., get rid!"
— Jonathan Pearce as S.M.I.D.S.Y. carries Warhog to the pit

Alongside Comengetorix, S.M.I.D.S.Y. advanced to the second round. This brought it into a close second round match against the sixth seed Dominator 2.

"On the arena floor, we'll be the people pushing them around, tipping them over, discing them, straight into the pit!"
— Confidence from Mik Reed before the battle
Dominator 2 vs SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s disc causes sparks to fly

The battle started quickly with Dominator 2 trying to axe S.M.I.D.S.Y., but S.M.I.D.S.Y. used its greater agility to dodge the axe. Dominator 2 was then pushed into an arena wall by S.M.I.D.S.Y., but Dominator 2 escaped and used its axe again and almost punctured one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyres. More pushing ensued until Dominator 2 almost punctured one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyres with its axe again. S.M.I.D.S.Y. used its flywheel, but it had little effect on Dominator 2, although this generated many sparks. Both robots then entered a CPZ due to a push from Dominator, and Growler came smashing into both robots and attempted to pin S.M.I.D.S.Y. This huge attack completely split Dominator 2's base-plate in half, and caused major internal damage to S.M.I.D.S.Y..

"Oh Growler! Look at that, both went into the CPZ and Growler came in with a right, roar ripping shunt! And S.M.I.D.S.Y. now, needs to get out and get out very quickly, and it's lacking power, you can see that. ... And S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s taken the worst of that"
— Jonathan Pearce on Growler's ferocious drive
GrowlerRamsBoth

Growler rams into Dominator 2 and S.M.I.D.S.Y.

SMIDSY vs Dominator 2

Dominator punctures one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s wheels

Dominator 2 finally managed to puncture one of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s tyres, but by this time S.M.I.D.S.Y. had slowed down and appeared to have lost drive in one side. It then caught fire from the flame pit just as cease was called.

"I think this second round has been turned on its head. I think that damage sustained by S.M.I.D.S.Y. has cut its power and pace, and Dominator 2 can now grapple. ... S.M.I.D.S.Y. is in trouble, and they were well on top. They've backed onto the flame pit, you can see only one side seems to be working and they're on fire at the end."
— Jonathan Pearce towards the end of the battle

The Judges chose Dominator 2 to advance to the Heat Final, eliminating S.M.I.D.S.Y. from Series 6.

"We had to keep out the axe a bit, so maybe they decided we weren't being aggressive enough. ... We thought we were going to go further this year, we really did"
— Mik Reed after the battle

Extreme 2[]

S.M.I.D.S.Y. competed in the Tag Team Terror again, with Sumpthing as its partner as in Extreme 1. In Round 1, they were drawn against X-Terminator and Mini Morg.

SMIDSY Sumpthing X-Terminator

S.M.I.D.S.Y. drags X-Terminator

Mini Morg X-Terminator SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. slams Mini Morg into X-Terminator

X-Terminator and S.M.I.D.S.Y. both ran out into the centre of the arena, not colliding but rather allowing each to try and manoeuvre. S.M.I.D.S.Y. ran into X-Terminator broadside and shunted it towards the wall, but X-Terminator escaped and slammed the moving S.M.I.D.S.Y. with its axe, shoving it easily across the arena and near the waiting Sumpthing. S.M.I.D.S.Y. manoeuvred and dragged X-Terminator to the side, bending the deadly axe out of shape. Sumpthing came out of its CPZ once S.M.I.D.S.Y. slipped in and tagged. X-Terminator slammed Sumpthing into an angle grinder, but its axe was too small to strike the unusually shaped Sumpthing. X-Terminator released Sumpthing, who fled to the centre of the arena, whilst Mini Morg tagged out and entered the battle. S.M.I.D.S.Y. rushed out of its CPZ and shunted Mini Morg broadside into X-Terminator, immobilising both robots against each other. S.M.I.D.S.Y. relented, however, allowing Mini Morg to reposition itself and bring its disc into play. Both robots' spinning discs collided with a flash of sparks. They both moved their lifters in next, but Mini Morg was too slow and S.M.I.D.S.Y. reversed away before it could flip. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then rammed the sidelined X-Terminator, who struck with its axe instead.

AttackingTogether

S.M.I.D.S.Y. becomes under pressure from X-Terminator

X-terminator SMIDSY bent axe

X-Terminator's axe is severely bent

SMIDSY Sumpthing Refbot

Sumpthing is counted out just before cease

Sumpthing and S.M.I.D.S.Y. reversed into the CPZ, where both were trapped by Shunt, whose axe struck the former. X-Terminator wedged under Mini Morg and pulled it away from the wall, and whilst S.M.I.D.S.Y. moved out for another offensive, Sumpthing fled the two House Robots. S.M.I.D.S.Y. pinned Mini Morg against the wall, but was vulnerable to axe attacks from X-Terminator, which pulled it away from Mini Morg. The arrival of Sumpthing and its pursuers caused a distraction that scattered the robots, and S.M.I.D.S.Y. activated the Disc of Doom. By now, Sumpthing and S.M.I.D.S.Y. were scissored into a CPZ by Dead Metal and Shunt, but X-Terminator was caught by Dead Metal trying to attack S.M.I.D.S.Y., and its axe was bent further out of shape. X-Terminator continued to attack S.M.I.D.S.Y., but Sumpthing had broken down and was counted out during the last ten seconds. A judges' decision was made, but was in favour of X-Terminator and Mini Morg by default.

Mik Reed: "I wouldn't like to blame anything in particular, or anyone."
Philippa Forrester: "And I'll leave you with that thought."
— Suggestive dialogue next to Sumpthing's table

S.M.I.D.S.Y. also fought in the Challenge Belt, fighting previous Semi-finalist Dantomkia, three-times Grand Finalist Hypno-Disc and the experienced Sir Chromalot.

Philippa Forrester: "That Challenge Belt, you know, I was thinking that would look good with all your biking leathers, on your bike, wouldn't it, getting off at the pit stop. Do you think? Can you see that on you?"
Mik Reed: "Yeah, well, nah! It wouldn't fit on me! It'd fit on Robin"
— Pre-battle interview
Hypno-disc vs smidsy

Hypno-Disc recoils from impacting S.M.I.D.S.Y.

Dantomkia flips smidsy

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is thrown over the Flame Pit by Dantomkia

Dantomkia attacked S.M.I.D.S.Y. first, and Hypno-Disc attacked the sides of S.M.I.D.S.Y. as well, but merely bounced off. Dantomkia then turned on Hypno-Disc, one flip turning it onto its back, the second toppling it out of the arena. Mr. Psycho then pinned Dantomkia in the CPZ for a while, but eventually freed it. Meanwhile, S.M.I.D.S.Y. had pressed the pit release button, and, after a few seconds of dodging, Dantomkia flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. and overturned it, whilst Sir Chromalot dodged trouble, but was eventually caught by Dantomkia and S.M.I.D.S.Y. and flipped, but not overturned. S.M.I.D.S.Y was flipped again, but Sir Chromalot was moving slowly temporarily.

SMIDSYthrownaside

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is thrown aside

Mrpsycho crushes smidsy

Mr Psycho drives over S.M.I.D.S.Y.

Dantomkia then flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. again, leaving it beached it on the arena wall, and turned on Sir Chromalot again, throwing it over in the CPZ. S.M.ID.S.Y. was picked up, but ultimately freed from the wall by Mr. Psycho. Sir Chromalot, meanwhile, was unable to escape from the CPZ, sustaining severe damage from Matilda before being flung out of the arena by her flywheel. S.M.I.D.S.Y., after pressure from Mr. Psycho, lost drive on one side, before breaking down altogether, but it had already qualified for the next round.

Dantomkia vs SMIDSY EXT2

Dantomkia drives S.M.I.D.S.Y. to the arena wall

Before the fight ended, Dantomkia proceeded to flip S.M.I.D.S.Y. out of the arena, but this was not shown on the televised airing.[15]

"As much as I like S.M.I.D.S.Y., I didn't rate the disk as any possibility of damage. It's far too small to be able to get a decent bite. Other than that their machine was first rate."
— Mike Lambert on S.M.I.D.S.Y. in 2015

S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s second round match was against a Sixth Wars Grand Finalist, Terrorhurtz.

"Not really seen yet the carbide-toothed, twelve kilo rear disc at play."
— Jonathan Pearce as S.M.I.D.S.Y. enters the arena
Terrorhurtz vs SMIDSY

Terrorhurtz immobilises S.M.I.D.S.Y.

Ex2ChallengeBeltRound2.2

Terrorhurtz continues to batter S.M.I.D.S.Y.

S.M.I.D.S.Y., after taking one blow from Terrorhurtz, dashed for the pit release button. Terrorhurtz then came in, landing a lot of axe-blows in on the top of S.M.I.D.S.Y., which couldn't use its lifter or disc into any great effect on Terrorhurtz who kept hammering away at it.

"Look at that! Absolutely hammering into the protective armament of S.M.I.D.S.Y.! S.M.I.D.S.Y. can't do anything really! It has been absolutely mullered out there! Terrorhurtz have destroyed S.M.I.D.S.Y.! They can't get going! ... Basically S.M.I.D.S.Y., you need the arena floor to collapse"
— Jonathan Pearce as Terrorhurtz batters S.M.I.D.S.Y.
Ex2ChallengeBeltRound2.2

The ruined S.M.I.D.S.Y

SMIDSY pit

The beaten machine is pitted

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was then trapped near the wall and eventually after a few more axe blows, S.M.I.D.S.Y. broke down. After S.M.I.D.S.Y. was counted out by Refbot, Sir Killalot disposed of S.M.I.D.S.Y. by putting it on the floor flipper and then dumping it in the pit.

Craig Charles: "Anything to say?"
Robin Bennett: "Ouch!"
— Post-battle

Series 7[]

"Number thirteen seeds, unlucky for some..."
— Jonathan Pearce
Atomic S.M.I.D.S.Y

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is flipped by Atomic

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was granted the number thirteen seed placing for the Seventh Wars, for reaching two previous heat finals. However, it put on a shaky performance in its first round battle of the heat, where it was placed up against veteran Atomic, New Blood and Commonwealth Carnage competitor Terror Turtle and newcomer Cygnus X-1. In the battle, S.M.I.D.S.Y. tried to dodge its opponents before trying to slam them against the arena side wall as they took on each other. But after Cygnus X-1 was flipped over and Terror Turtle was flipped out of the arena (by Atomic each time), S.M.I.D.S.Y. then swooped in and shoved the overturned Cygnus X-1 machine all of the way into Shunt's CPZ, but Atomic came in and flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. up onto the arena side wall, where it couldn't move away.

"What's happened to S.M.I.D.S.Y.?! The seeded machine on its side? Can Atomic get in and thrust them out of the arena? Could we yet have a surprise?"
— Jonathan Pearce as S.M.I.D.S.Y. is stranded
Atomic vs SMIDSY R1

An immobile S.M.I.D.S.Y. descends into the pit

Eventually, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was brought off the arena wall, but then suffered some axe blows from Shunt before it could hurry away. Cygnus X-1 was then eventually counted out by the Refbot, and just in time, because just as the count was up, Atomic flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. up into the air, causing the seeded machine to become immobilised. S.M.I.D.S.Y. was then pitted by Atomic, but was put through to the next round regardless.

"If they do meet again in this Heat, have to be the Final of course now, there could be bad blood, if S.M.I.D.S.Y. is fit to fight again. They've been craftily positioned on the pit by Atomic and there's very little life left in S.M.I.D.S.Y. there. Thank goodness for them Cygnus and Terror Turtle went before them. S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Atomic through, S.M.I.D.S.Y. only just!"
— Jonathan Pearce
SMIDSY vs Mean Streak

S.M.I.D.S.Y. tips up Mean Streak

Mr Psycho Mean Streak

Mr. Psycho attacks Mean Streak as S.M.I.D.S.Y. watches on

In the second round of the Heat, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was drawn up against another newcomer Mean Streak. S.M.I.D.S.Y. proved much more dominant in this battle, slamming straight into its opponent on 'Activate!' S.M.I.D.S.Y. dominated the battle throughout, relentlessly pushing Mean Streak across the arena floor into CPZs, first into Sgt. Bash's, and then into Mr. Psycho's. Eventually, Mean Streak seemed to lose drive down one side, this made pushing it an even easier task for the seeded robot. Eventually, S.M.I.D.S.Y. pinned Mean Streak up against the arena wall, and, albeit with a lot of effort, it managed to use its jaws to tip the box-shaped robot onto its side. Mean Streak couldn't move, so it was counted out by the Refbot, and then finished off by the house robots.

Craig Charles: "You've always flattered to deceive before, really"
Robin Bennett: "No no, it's just always been rubbish before!"
— Post-battle interview
Atomic vs SMIDSY

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is turned over by Atomic

Atomic vs SMIDSY 1

Both robots collide head-on

This put S.M.I.D.S.Y. through to the Heat Final, however, it had to fight Atomic again. The two robots attempted to attack each other, but the charges of both robots kept on missing their targets. S.M.I.D.S.Y. managed a couple of nudges on the side of its opponent, before Atomic got underneath and flipped S.M.I.D.S.Y. over.

"S.M.I.D.S.Y. needs to dodge, turn, dodge, turn, run, draw Atomic towards the pit, towards house robots. This is how grave I feel for the seeded machine."
— Jonathan Pearce
SMIDSYOOTAS7

S.M.I.D.S.Y. sits outside the arena after its final battle in Robot Wars

Atomic vs. S.M.I.D.S.Y

S.M.I.D.S.Y. is flipped out of the arena by Atomic

S.M.I.D.S.Y. then attacked Atomic with its spinning disc, but Atomic recovered and continued to get underneath S.M.I.D.S.Y., throwing it into the air twice more. S.M.I.D.S.Y. then began to scamper around the arena, but was soon caught by Atomic who got underneath S.M.I.D.S.Y., pushed it towards the side of the arena and threw it into the wall, which it clipped and then flew over and out of the arena.

"OH, it's all over! A very, very good display by Atomic, and the seeds have fallen. Always on the cards. S.M.I.D.S.Y. had to keep dodging and ducking and diving, and they took the big dive instead."
— Jonathan Pearce

S.M.I.D.S.Y. did not appear in the All-Stars tournament, making this the team's final appearance.

Results[]

S.M.I.D.S.Y. - RESULTS
Series 3
The Third Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 1
Heat P, Round 1 vs. Rattus Rattus Lost
Series 4
The Fourth Wars - UK Championship
Heat Final
Heat O, Eliminator vs. Overkill GTI, Panic Attack (4) Qualified
Heat O, Semi-Final vs. Aggrobot 2 (20) Won
Heat O, Final vs. Panic Attack (4) Lost
Pinball Warrior Tournament
Fourteenth Place
Pinball 70pts 14th
Sumo Basho
Fifth Place
Sumo 14.11 seconds 5th
Extreme Series 1
Tag Team Terror
Competing with Sumpthing, Round 1
Round 1 vs. Cerberus & Thermidor 2 Lost
Mayhem & Annihilator
Mayhem
Mayhem vs. Pussycat, Sumpthing Lost
Series 5
The Fifth Wars - UK Championship
24th Seed, Heat Final
Heat A, Eliminator vs. Obsidian Won
Heat A, Semi-Final vs. 8645T Won
Heat A, Final vs. Chaos 2 (1) Lost
NOTE: During the final, both robots ended up immobilised at roughly the same time. A re-match was called, which Chaos 2 won.
Series 6
The Sixth Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 2
Heat J, Round 1 vs. Comengetorix, St. Agro, Warhog Qualified
Heat J, Round 2 vs. Dominator 2 (6) Lost
Extreme Series 2
Tag Team Terror
Competing with Sumpthing, Round 1
Round 1 vs. Mini Morg & X-Terminator Lost
Challenge Belt
Round 2
Round 1 vs. Dantomkia, Hypno-Disc, Sir Chromalot Qualified
Round 2 vs. Terrorhurtz Lost
Series 7
The Seventh Wars - UK Championship
13th Seed, Heat Final
Heat G, Round 1 vs. Atomic, Cygnus X-1, Terror Turtle Qualified
Heat G, Round 2 vs. Mean Streak Won
Heat G, Final vs. Atomic Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 8
  • Losses: 9

Series Record[]

Main Series S.M.I.D.S.Y. Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Did not enter
The Third Wars Heat, Round 1
The Fourth Wars Heat Final
The Fifth Wars Heat Final
The Sixth Wars Heat, Round 2
The Seventh Wars Heat Final
Series 8 Did not enter
Series 9 Did not enter
Series 10 Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme Appearances
Series 1 Entered
Series 2 Entered

Gallery[]

Robot Wars Live Events[]

After being restored that year, S.M.I.D.S.Y. made an appearance at the Robot Wars live event at Guildford in 2016, but due to the robot's speed controller being on full current and burning out the drive, S.M.I.D.S.Y. never managed to fight.

In 2017, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was present for the Gloucester event where it was scheduled to fight Rattler and ACE, however after entering the arena, its battery started to smoke, resulting in S.M.I.D.S.Y. being taken away and replaced with Donald Thump.

Outside Robot Wars[]

Sprocket

S.M.I.D.S.Y. as Sprocket at Techno Games 2002

Sprocket 2003

Sprocket in 2003

S.M.I.D.S.Y. was renamed Sprocket for Techno Games in 2002 and 2003, where it fought alongside Storm Chaser in the Football, winning 5-0 in the final against Kat's Whiskers and Snowstorm in 2002 and winning the silver medal in 2003 (under the name 'The Four Wheeled Warriors'), losing to Team BB in the final. It also competed in the Tug-of-War in 2002 where it finished as runner-up, ironically losing to Storm Chaser. Sprocket also competed in the Sumo event, but performed badly in both series, being eliminated in the opening round of its first series by eventual champion Big Bro and being disqualified in the second series after using its weapon to throw Bruiser off the platform.

The team had created Antweight Vagrant which appeared in AWS (Antweight World Series) 6 and AWS 7 where it lost in the first round both times.

After Series 7, Team Ixion were planning to rebuild S.M.I.D.S.Y., with new NiCd batteries, which could be run at 36 volts as opposed to 24, and were smaller, allowing the team to reduce the size of the wheelbase[16].

Whilst Robot Wars was in its 12-year hiatus, Team Cylon bought S.M.I.D.S.Y. and completely rebuilt the robot in 2008 and fought with it in many live events, including the Roaming Robots tournament, however Team Cylon then sold S.M.I.D.S.Y. to Team Roaming Robots in late 2010.

SMIDSY2016

S.M.I.D.S.Y. in 2016

SMIDSY 2017

S.M.I.D.S.Y in 2017

In 2011, Team Roaming Robots sold S.M.I.D.S.Y. to Team Troublesome. Later that year, S.M.I.D.S.Y. was sold onto Matthew Pearman of "Team Avenger", who rebuilt it back into its former condition. To acquire S.M.I.D.S.Y., he had sold The Grim Reaper. He then sold S.M.I.D.S.Y. to Gary Cairns of Team Typhoon, albeit without the rear disc weapon and motor, so he could buy Bulldog Breed. However, due to a lack of time Cairns couldn't take S.M.I.D.S.Y. on as a project so in 2016, it was sold once more to Team ACE who planned to rebuild it, looking to restore it to fighting condition. Team ACE then revealed the similar HIGH-5, but this was a separate build only based upon S.M.I.D.S.Y.

SMIDSY dead

The remains of S.M.I.D.S.Y at Extreme Robots in November 2018

Team ACE passed on S.M.I.D.S.Y. to a newly formed team who then took S.M.I.D.S.Y. to the Extreme Robots Gloucester event in October 2017, having given the robot a new drum spinner weapon. The team also competed with S.M.I.D.S.Y. at Extreme Robots in Manchester, in April 2018, but lost in the first round to Fenrir. It also fought 2point0 and the heavyweight version of Luna-Tic in a melee, but did not move, and was pitted by Major Damage. The team also brought S.M.I.D.S.Y. to the Cheltenham Extreme Robots event in November 2018, where it was knocked out of the main competition after losing its head-to-head against Donald Thump, and the seven-way losers' melee to TR3. In a whiteboard battle against Tauron and Apex, S.M.I.D.S.Y. took considerable damage from the spinners, leaving the arena with a bent frame, missing components, damaged armour, and a tyre removed.

Antweight SMIDSY

An antweight S.M.I.D.S.Y. built by Alex Shakespeare of Team Nuts

Aside from working on the heavyweight robot, Team ACE also commissioned Alex Shakespeare of Team Nuts to create an antweight version of S.M.I.D.S.Y. with five variants of the design built by Team ACE being given away at a charity raffle in Bristol, in September 2016, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. One of these antweights is owned by Anthony Murney, who entered it into his YouTube web-series Antweight Anarchy.

Sadly, it was revealed in 2018 that team captain Mik Reed had passed away following an illness.[17]

Trivia[]

  • The original team was formed over the internet. Indeed, in Series 5 and Extreme Series 1, the announcer would state that S.M.I.D.S.Y. came from Cyberspace. Every other war, however, stated it came from Kent.
  • In Series 3, Mik Reed was referred to as Mike Reed. However, he was referred to by his correct name in all other series he was part of the S.M.I.D.S.Y. team.
  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. has the most losses out of all of the robots from Kent.
  • Three of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s four first round losses were in battles that also contained Sumpthing, including two tag team partnerships.
  • One of S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s appearances in Extreme was not in the same episode as Sumpthing which was also the only Extreme episode where S.M.I.D.S.Y. won a battle.
  • In the Series 4 Sumo Basho, the S.M.I.D.S.Y. team put salt in their robots jaws so that they could spread it like real sumo wrestlers.
  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. was profiled in Robot Wars: The Ultimate Guide.
  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. was one of six robots to never win a heat in any of the series in which they were seeded (not counting robots who were only seeded once). The others were 101, Behemoth, Gemini, Suicidal Tendencies and Team Hurtz.
    • S.M.I.D.S.Y. was the only one of the six not to appear in any merchandise - this either being made into a toy or appearing in a video game.
  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. is one of three robots to lose three heat finals, the other two being Behemoth and Thor.
    • S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Thor are also the only robots to reach three Heat Finals without winning any of them, although Thor did receive a Wild Card to reach the Grand Final in Series 8. This does not include Thor's win in the New Blood Heat Final.
    • S.M.I.D.S.Y. was the only one of the three to never reach a Grand Final.
  • All four robots that beat S.M.I.D.S.Y. in the main competition from Series 4-7 lost in the second round of the semi-finals.
  • The only House Robot which never shared the arena with S.M.I.D.S.Y. was Cassius Chrome.
  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. is one of eleven robots to have fought in 5 or more series of Robot Wars during its original run, having fought in Series 3 through 7. It shares this pattern with X-Terminator, Bulldog Breed, Team KaterKiller, Team Big Brother, Team Ming, Team Scutterbots, and Thermidor 2.
  • Team Ixion are one of three teams to be flipped out of the arena three times, the others are Team Vader and Team Iron-Awe. However, the second instance of S.M.I.D.S.Y. being thrown out of the arena was untelevised.
    • S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Rick are the only two robots to be flipped out in a side competition and not be eliminated. S.M.I.D.S.Y. is the only one of the two to be sent out in Round 1 of said side competition by a competitor, not in the final after a unfair House Robot attack.
  • Both televised instances of S.M.I.D.S.Y. being flipped out of the arena resulted in the record for most consecutive Out of the Arena flips being set or matched (by Chaos 2 and Atomic respectively).
Smidsymodeltemplate

The model S.M.I.D.S.Y. template from Team Ixion's website

  • S.M.I.D.S.Y. is one of three machines to fight axe-wielding robots twice in a row in a main series heat, the other two being Major Tom and Inshredable.
    • S.M.I.D.S.Y. was the only one of the three to reach a Heat Final.
  • Along with Chaos 2 and The Steel Avenger, S.M.I.D.S.Y. appeared in both the first episode of Extreme Series 1 and the first heat of Series 5.
  • The team's website featured a template to build a model of S.M.I.D.S.Y.. The template is still available to print and/or download.[18]
  • The only Judges' Decision S.M.I.D.S.Y. won was its group battle in Series 4. Coincidentally, Panic Attack (the robot it went through with) also only won Judges' Decisions when it was in a group battle.

References[]

Smidsy sumpthing ext2 stats

S.M.I.D.S.Y. and Sumpthing's shared statistics in Extreme 2

External Links[]

Navigation[]

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