Tiberius

Tiberius
Tiberius 3 in Series 6
Participation Information
UK Series	4-7, Extreme 2
Robot Wars Live Circuit	2015
Other Names	Tiberius 2 (Series 5) Tiberius 3 (Series 6-7, Extreme 2)
Team Information
Team	Loughborough University
Team Members	Sam Smith Simon Coulthard (Series 4) John Coulthard (Series 4) Stuart Smith (Series 5-6, Extreme 2) Craig Lawson (Series 7, Extreme 2) Carl Lawson (Series 7)
Robot Statistics
Weight	100kg
Dimensions	0.83m x 1.05m x 0.75m
Top Speed	10mph
Power	Electric Motors
Weapons	Crushing Arm
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Tiberius was the name given to three competitor robots which competed from Series 4 through to Series 7 of Robot Wars and the second series of Robot Wars Extreme. It was originally armed with a vertical crushing spike, which was later replaced with a more conventional crushing claw. Tiberius never progressed beyond the heats in the main series, reaching one Heat Final in Robot Wars: The Seventh Wars, but won the University Challenge in Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2.

When Robot Wars returned in 2016, Sam Smith joined forces with Dave Moulds to form Team Carbide, competing with the series runner-up Carbide.

Versions of Tiberius

Tiberius

"This looks pretty special for a first attempt"

— Julia Reed

Tiberius

The original Tiberius was a basic two wheeled box-wedge shaped robot with a large spike powered by a car jack delivering 1.5 tons of pressure, which could pierce through stainless steel. The machine could pull a Volkswagen Estate with the handbrake on. This version had a welded steel chassis with polypropelene and gears from a motorbike, and travelled at 8 mph. Like TX-108, this version had a crusher which was pulled down instead of pushed down.

Tiberius 2

Tiberius 2

In Series 5, the team entered Tiberius 2, which had a more conventional crusher, pushed down hydraulically, and the team captain cited inspiration from Razer. It was more powerful than its inspiration, at 4 tonnes of pressure, powered by a 6 ton hydraulic ram. This machine was armoured in steel, polycarbonate, polypropelene and titanium. The robot's name was styled as T2 on the crusher, with no relation to the Series 3 competitor.

Tiberius 3

Tiberius 3 in Extreme 2, with side srimechs

Tiberius 3 in Series 7, with reinforced armour at the back

The team entered Series 6 and 7, as well as Extreme 2, with Tiberius 3, stylised as Tiberius III, which retained the crushing weapon of its predecessor, now operating at 5 tonnes, producing 3 tonnes at the tip. A new self-righting mechanism was added in Extreme 2, which was revised again in Series 7, alongside a stronger back panel. This also had improved systems for higher manoeuvrability and faster operations. It was well controlled, had a low ground clearance and was well armoured, but was fairly slow at 10 mph, did not have much traction and more importantly was slow to self-right. After being built over the time period of one year, Tiberius 3 was the most successful version of the robot, reaching the Heat Final of Series 7 and winning the University Challenge special in Extreme Series 2.

Robot History

Series 4

Tiberius was matched up against Mousetrap and 12th seeds Evil Weevil 2 in Round 1. It looked impressive in Round 1, choosing Mousetrap as its main target. Although Tiberius was subjected to a minor attack by the seeded Evil Weevil 2 early on, that would the latter's only real onslaught in the battle as it broke down moments after. Tiberius then managed to pin down and pierce Mousetrap's top armour with its unique crusher, and Refbot had to break the two up. The two went on to fight for the remainder of the battle, as the House Robots attacked Evil Weevil 2 and placed it on the Floor Flipper. Both Mousetrap and Tiberius went through at the expense of the seeds.

Tiberius goes down the pit

In the second round against Little Fly, it started the fight as the aggressor, repeatedly pounding into its opposition, however the piercing crusher was currently out of action. It then slammed Little Fly into Sergeant Bash, who torched Little Fly but caused no visible damage. Tiberius then pushed Little Fly into Sergeant Bash again, who then crumpled the latter's front end with his pincers. Tiberius continued attacking Little Fly aggressively, eventually slamming it against the wall. However, it got stuck there while doing so, and was freed by the House Robots. There, it became apparent that Tiberius had lost drive to one side. Upon its immobilisation, Tiberius was promptly axed by Shunt and lifted up by Sir Killalot who put it on the edge of the pit. Shunt and Matilda then ended the team's Series 4 campaign when they nudged it in.

"Well, Tiberius will rule no longer!"

— Craig Charles

Series 5

Tiberius pierces Monad

In Round 1 of Series 5, Tiberius 2 was put up against newcomers Monad. Tiberius 2 was by far slower than Monad in the battle, but it still managed to grip it and crush into the side. Monad's jaw then came loose on the front; Monad then hit the pit release, but then stopped dead, allowing Tiberius to grip it again with its claw and pit it, putting Tiberius through.

Panic Attack lifts Tiberius 2

Tiberius 2 then fought former champions and number 6 seeds Panic Attack in the second round. It started well, gripping the front of Panic Attack with its claw and steering it around. Panic Attack got away and lifted it, shoving it into the House Robots. Shunt axed Tiberius a few times before it eventually escaped, but Panic Attack lifted it up again. This time, Panic Attack went for the pit release button, dragged Tiberius 2 towards the pit, and dropped it down, almost toppling in itself.

Series 6

Tiberius 3 with an extra layer of protection applied

Tiberius 3 had been drawn against Supernova, Short Circuit and Spawn Again, which was seeded 10th. Knowing the power of Supernova's flywheel, Tiberius was equipped with thick, white plastic casing around its sides, offering an extra layer of protection.

"...12 months of work and it could all go in the first round. No wonder they're wincing"

— Philippa Forrester talking about Tiberius 3's Series 6 draw

Tiberius crushes Supernova

Tiberius opened the battle by getting off quickly and attacking Supernova, which retaliated with its spinning disc. Tiberius managed to pierce the Sri Lankan machine, holding it in the CPZ at the mercy of Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot, and a small clash with the latter resulted in a buckled crushing jaw on Tiberius. Tiberius tried to grip into Supernova, but it escaped. Meanwhile Short Circuit had been decimated by Supernova's flywheel. Tiberius fled from the dangerous Supernova, but Supernova was faster, and struck the rear of Tiberius, sending it spiralling away, knocking out its safety link in the process, thus immobilising Tiberius. Spawn Again then flipped Tiberius over, overturning itself in the process, and Tiberius was counted out.

Spawn Again flips Tiberius and itself.

Short Circuit was pitted and Tiberius was flipped by the floor flipper and pitted by Sir Killalot. It was only after the battle that it was revealed Tiberius had lost its safety link, strangely leaving Tiberius in better working condition than the qualifying Spawn Again. The team revealed when it was flipped, the link fell out completely.

"Don't go in after him Killalot, that's not in the script!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Killalot almost followed Tiberius into the pit.

Extreme 2

Tiberius 3 hoists Fluffy

The three robots edge closer to the pit

Tiberius 3 singularly participated in the University Challenge tournament, representing Loughborough University, and faced Infinity and Fluffy in the first round. Tiberius 3 grabbed hold of Fluffy straight from the start, and stayed stuck to it for the rest of the battle. Infinity tried to separate both opponents, but when Growler pressed the pit button, Tiberius 3 held Fluffy over the pit, and both machines were pushed in by Growler. Fluffy went into the pit first, and had been immobilised by the claw of Tiberius, so the machine from Loughborough went through along with Infinity.

Tiberius 3 crushes C.V,

Tiberius 3 drives C.V. towards the pit

In Round 2, Tiberius 3 met C.V., and attacked it at the start, but struggled to grab hold of it. C.V. attacked them with their axe, but they failed to cause any damage. Tiberius eventually grabbed hold of C.V., but were unable to pierce their opponent, so pushed it into the pit button, then down the pit. Tiberius 3 was then through to fight Infinity in the final.

Tiberius 3 started the battle by pushing Infinity into Sergeant Bash, but Infinity escaped. Tiberius then tried to puncture Infinity's shell, but failed to.

"It hasn't got great pressure, the beak"

— Jonathan Pearce

Tiberius 3 fails to penetrate Infinity

Infinity responded by shoving Tiberius into the angle grinder. Tiberius again tried to grab Infinity with its claw, but the faster Infinity spun away. Tiberius eventually caught Infinity in the CPZ, and rammed it into the Arena wall, but failed to capitalise again. After spinning away, Tiberius caught Infinity again, this time puncturing the exposed wheels.

"This is a very tense and tight affair for the honour of brainiest boffins of Robot Wars!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Tiberius attempts to puncture the wheel of Infinity

When Infinity escaped, it pushed from the sides of Tiberius, but was caught and pinned by the jaw again. Tiberius then shoved Infinity into the CPZ, and Shunt came across and axed the top of Infinity, and then the rear of Tiberius. Meanwhile, one of the House Robots, presumably Sergeant Bash, pressed the pit release, but this didn't matter as time ran out soon afterwards. The battle was relatively uneventful, but Tiberius 3 won the judges' decision and the tournament.

Series 7

Tiberius backs Shell Shock onto a flame jet

Tiberius 3 played virtually no part in its first round battle, as it was lightly spun around by Shell Shock in the opening stages, which was too large for Tiberius to grab with its crusher. M2 proceeded to dominate the battle by tossing Shell Shock, as well as the immobile Vader, out of the arena.

Tiberius 3 lifts Roobarb

Tiberius 3 had qualified for the second round, and despite its passive performance, was not drawn against the seeded Pussycat, instead fighting Roobarb at this stage. Roobarb immediately tried to flip Tiberius 3, but was unable to get underneath the robot. Tiberius 3 turned and grabbed hold of Roobarb with its crushing beak, piercing through the armour of its opponent. Tiberius 3 then lifted Roobarb into the air and held the machine aloft while the Roobarb team tried to escape.

"Roobarb, at the moment, being hoisted, and I don't think he'll be dumping Roobarb into a bowl of custard. It'll be down into the pit of doom and gloom or out of the arena any moment now."

— Jonathan Pearce as Tiberius 3 hoists Roobarb

However, Roobarb's attempts to escape were in vain as it had clearly stopped working and was unable to put up a fight. Tiberius 3 eventually released Roobarb and activated the pit release button, before pushing Roobarb into the pit of oblivion.

Tiberius 3 grabs hold of M2

In the Heat Final, it fought M2 again, despite having not actually attacked it in the first round. It pierced M2's armour, carrying M2 towards the pit. However, M2 was putting up a struggle and Tiberius 3 was unable to direct it towards the pit. Instead, both robots ended up in the CPZ and were attacked by Growler, who tried to pull M2 away but Tiberius 3 was still hanging onto its opponent.

M2 flips Tiberius 3 into the pit.

After sustaining ramming attacks from Growler, M2 was able to escape the claw of Tiberius 3 and quickly drove away from the CPZ. Tiberius 3 tried to chase after its opponent, but M2 turned and flipped Tiberius 3 over. M2 then threw Tiberius 3 against the arena wall and tried to flip it out of the arena, but only succeeded in flipping it back onto its wheels. However, M2 quickly flipped Tiberius 3 back over and then threw it into the pit of oblivion. This eliminated Tiberius 3 from the wars.

Results

Tiberius 2 at a live event

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 7
• Losses: 4

Series Record

Tiberius 3's team in Series 7

Main Series	Tiberius Series Record
The First Wars	Did not enter
The Second Wars	Did not enter
The Third Wars	Did not enter
The Fourth Wars	Heat, Round 2
The Fifth Wars	Heat, Round 2
The Sixth Wars	Heat, Round 1
The Seventh Wars	Heat Final
Series 8	Entered with Carbide
Series 9	Entered with Carbide
Series 10	Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	University Challenge Champion
Series 2	Did not enter

Robot Wars Live Events

Tiberius 4, the final appearance of Tiberius before becoming Photon Storm

The new Tiberius made its debut at the Robot Wars World Championships 2015. It did well in the heats of the competition surviving the end of its first battle against Thor, Iron-Awe 5 & Tanto and came second on the judges decision. This allowed Tiberius to qualify to the second round of the competition where it fought Gravity and Kan-Opener. Kan-Opener broke down within the first few seconds, leaving Tiberius to fight Gravity alone. However, despite managing to pierce Gravity's tyre at one point and surviving until the end, the judges' decision went against it, putting it in the Play-offs. Here it was immobilised immediately by Eruption, which flipped it against the arena wall where it was left immobile for 30 seconds. Despite being immobile, Tiberius eventually decided the outcome of the battle after it was freed from the wall, by pushing Eruption into the pit, before it too was pushed into the pit by Tough as Nails, leaving the latter as the winner of the battle.

Outside Robot Wars

Tiberius under the sponsorship of Team RoboChallenge

After Robot Wars, Tiberius was rebuilt with a larger claw and renamed Tiberius 4, though it is mostly only known as Tiberius. Tiberius has fought in many tournaments throughout the country since Robot Wars' end, achieving great success, being the most feared crusher still competing. At the 2006 UK Championships, Tiberius defeated Steel Sandwich, and pitted Tough as Nails, but eventually lost the battle when Tough as Nails escaped the pit and put Tiberius in the same position.

The robot, now in its sixth incarnation, was bought by Ed Hoppitt of Team Storm in January 2013, who says that Tiberius will still be worked on to fight competitively, although the team's main focus will still be Storm 2.

Photon Storm, Tiberius' successor, backstage at BattleBots 2016.

Photon Storm with Ed Hoppitt, Andrew Marchant and Alan Young

In April 2016, Team Storm unveiled a heavily-upgraded version of Tiberius, now named Photon Storm, as their BattleBots 2016 entry. Photon Storm has a new "feathery" appearance, giving it a bird motif, and received a number of improvements - including a more powerful self-righting mechanism, 10mm Armox armour plating, a stronger crushing ram, and better batteries and motors - for the competition. It was entered by Ed Hoppit, along with Andrew Marchant and Alan Young. Photon Storm lost its first battle against Brazilian robot Minotaur despite starting the battle strongly. Meanwhile for the same competition, Tiberius team captain Sam Smith formed Team Carbide with Dave Moulds and various other team members and fought with Cobalt.

In October 2016, Photon Storm fought at a Robots Live! event in Stevenage. It firstly competed in the FRA UK Heavyweight Championship, reaching the second round before losing to Dystopia and Nuts after getting flipped out of the arena by the former. Photon Storm later fought in a few whiteboard battles, competing against Behemoth, Apollo, Bigger Brother and Nuts at various points.

NST, Sam Smith's featherweight which won the UK Championships in 2012

In 2017, Photon Storm competed at Mechatrons in Dublin. It initially lost to Stinger, but participated in a rematch later into the event, also defeating ThunderChild and battling Iron-Awe 7.

Meanwhile, Sam Smith fights in the live circuit with NST, a featherweight equipped with a large bar spinner, which won the Featherweight UK Championships in 2012 and the Featherweight UK Championship 2015 Annihilator.

Trivia

• Other than Razer, Tiberius is the only vertical crusher robot to reach a Heat Final.
• All of Tiberius' losses saw it pitted.
• In Series 5, Stuart McDonald introduced the robot as "Tiberus 2", rather than Tiberius 2.
• Tiberius is mentioned on the new Robot Wars website, in Carbide's page. However, it is misspelt as "Tiberious". This spelling error also appears in the Series 5 results section in Robot Wars: The Ultimate Guide.