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"With its Merlin hat-shape, this machine hopes to conjure up the demons of Robot Wars. The hat lights up - so will the audience when they see its chain whips and drill bit weapons! A low ground clearance could be a problem, but I think its... hats off to this team, Craig!"
Jonathan Pearce introduces Wizard

Wizard was a competitor robot which fought in Series 2 of Robot Wars. It reached the Arena Semi-Final stage in its heat, but lost to Cassius there after breaking down in the PPZ.

Team Wizard later entered Series 3 with The Witch which bore a similar design to Wizard and also lost its only battle.

Design[]

"In designing Wizard, Alwyn "Ozzie" Boulter's primary concern was for his robot to stay out of trouble. For that reason, he first considered a much-opted-for wedge or dome shape, before finally settling on a squat, low-profile cylinder shape. Ozzie considered this to be the optimum design to avoid getting caught by or wedged into obstacles. However, on consideration he decided that the cake tin-like shape his robot developed was too plain and uninteresting. Second thoughts gave him the idea of a wizard's hat-shape. When asked where his inspiration for this idea came from, Ozzie replied that it might have had something to do with his nickname and a certain famous wizard - from Oz!"
— The Robot Wars Technical Manual on the inspiration for Wizard's design
Wizard

Wizard in the arena during its introduction

Wizard was a silver and black robot with a cylindrical lower body and a tall conical section designed to resemble a wizard's hat. Its weapons included drills on the front and back, which had interchangeable attachments including a hole saw and a 10mm drill bit, as well as a set of chain flails, one on each side, which could strike opponents when the robot spun, in a similar manner to a thwackbot. Wizard featured a composite wood, plastic and metal chassis, while its outer shell was a composite of plastic and fabric.

Wizard insides

Ozzy Boulter show the insides of Wizard in Robot Wars Revealed

The robot was powered by two 12 Volt batteries, which gave it a good top speed of 15mph. The wheels powered by friction drive[1], but were very small, being just 6cm in diameter and 1cm wide. When interviewed for the Robot Wars Technical Manual, Ozzie Boulter said he should have used larger, wider wheels without to give better traction on dry surfaces[2].

"The machine contained four servos, one of which operated the fail safe mechanism. ... Normally, one servo operates one device, but Ozzie figured out a method of operating more than one device with a single servo. He did this by making a series of thin metal strips, which he then superglued to a copper paddle, and connected the paddle to several different moving features. In this way, Ozzie's three remaining servos could be made to operate up to 12 separate devices, thus saving a considerable amount of space inside the robot."
— The Robot Wars Technical Manual on Wizard's 'multi-situation' control assembly

The robot also had three multi-coloured disco lights on its base which were intended to light the 'hat' up, as well as a small cassette deck and loudspeaker inside the 'hat'. This unusual feature was intended to play back audio clips of Wizard's name and various other phrases being spoken in a 'wizard's voice', demonstrated during interviews, and in behind-the-scenes video diaries aired in Episode 8 of Robot Wars Revealed.

"KILL... DEMOLISH... TERMINATE!"
— Some of the phrases spoken by Wizard's 'wizard voice' feature, shown during its introduction

While Wizard's design made it compact, manoeuvrable and distinctive, and the robot had a low ground clearance of only 4mm, it suffered from numerous steering problems before and during its televised appearances:

"The robot was also rather difficult to steer, as Ozzie found out when he conducted a 15-second drive test drive half an hour before going to London to participate in the Wars, during which Wizard managed to smash just about every breakable object in his conservatory. In fact, these steering difficulties made Wizard one of the most unpredictable robots. No one knew where it was going to go next, mainly because Ozzie himself didn't know! in the initial parade, Wizard went everywhere but where it was supposed to go, and it took five takes just to get the robot on to the floor of the arena."
— The Robot Wars Technical Manual notes on Wizard's control problems before its televised appearance

These control issues, combined with its poor reliability and fragile armour (especially the 'hat'), prevented Wizard from enjoying much success in its only series.

Etymology[]

Wizard, when combined with its team captain's nickname Ozzie Boulter, forms a reference to The Wizard of Oz, intentional on the team's part according to the Robot Wars Technical Manual.

The Team[]

Wizard interview

Team Wizard with their eponymous machine

Wizard was entered by Team Wizard from Kettering in Northamptonshire. The team captain was Alwyn Boulter, an electrical engineer, who was credited by his nickname, Ozzie Boulter[3]. He was joined by Richard Johnson, who drove the robot, and Susan Darby.

"Ozzie Boulter used to be a DJ and a bandleader, he's quite obviously... insane!"
— Jonathan Pearce at the start of Wizard's Gauntlet run

Team Wizard also entered Series 3 with The Witch, where Ozzie was joined by his daughter Emma.

"My brother was the driver first (of The Wizard). They thought he would be a better driver, but he drove it straight into the pit."
— Emma Boulter, interviewed in Robot Wars Magazine[4]

Robot History[]

Series 2[]

"Now people have asked me why it's got coloured lights, and it's got its own voice as well, and it's because we're all posers, especially Susan, she loves posing! The robot is a poser as well, and so even if it gets beat up, it's gonna go down with flying colours and flashing lights and a lot of voices shouting and screaming, hopefully! Because we're on television!"
— Ozzie Boulter on Robot Wars Revealed[5]

Wizard competed in Heat H, and was the last robot in that heat to traverse the Gauntlet. For the Gauntlet, the team did not equip the front drill.

"One of its main weapons is the hole saw at the front here. On the side is a chain whip, we've got one either side and it spins on its own axis. We hope to whip our competitors out of the ring!"
— Ozzie Boulter describes Wizard's weaponry in its introduction
Wizardpit

Wizard, stranded on the edge of the pit

Wizard Dead Metal hat

Dead Metal carves into the tip of Wizard's hat

It immediately took the left-hand route, but after it dodged the arena spikes, Dead Metal blocked the way. Wizard tried to drive around him, but as it did so, it drove along the edge of the pit, and became stuck.

"Here comes Wizard! Ozzie doesn't drive, he's got no sense of direction. Young Richard Johnson's doing the driving - not too well!"
Jonathan Pearce as Wizard gets stranded

Trapped, Dead Metal shoved Wizard into the pit, ending its Gauntlet run. Dead Metal proceeded to slice through the top of the 'hat' with his saw, which prompted booing from the audience and complaints from Jonathan Pearce.

"They've covered enough ground! Hardly a wizard run boys, and girls! Oh no! Oh, that's mean! You can't destroy the hat! Foul play!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal slices through Wizard's 'hat'

Despite this, Wizard still managed to cover a distance of 5.4m, which was enough for it to finish fourth overall and qualify for the Trial stage.

Craig Charles: "The Wizard team, what went wrong there then?"
Richard Johnson: "Totally destroyed me!"
Craig Charles: "Totally destroyed! And then Dead Metal got right evil and started trying to saw your hat off!"
Richard Johnson: "I don't know what went wrong. Dodgy driving on my part!"
Craig Charles: "Yeah, you kind of helped them out, you sort of drove straight into the pit yourself!"
— Post-Gauntlet interview

In an interview only shown in Robot Wars Revealed, Ozzie Boulter revealed that a motor spindle on one of its friction drives had sheared, which caused Wizard to lose drive on one side.

"Apart from that, a little bit of sticky tape on the hat, and we should be back in action quite soon!"
— Ozzie Boulter on Robot Wars Revealed[6]

In the Football Trial, Wizard faced fellow competitors Loco, Cassius, Sting and GroundHog. The team kept the drill removed, and added a curved strip of metal to the front to try and control the ball.

Wizardtriestogettoball

Wizard tries to get round to the ball as Loco and Cassius try to get Matilda

In the first round, Wizard was too slow to start, as Cassius rushed past it at the start and got to the ball first. Matilda blocked Cassius, and as Cassius and Loco tried to get around Matilda to reach the ball, Wizard drove behind Loco. Matilda lifted up Cassius with her tusks, allowing Loco to get to the ball and push it in for the first goal.

MatildaliftsWizardCassiusgetsball

Cassius gets the ball as Matilda lifts up Wizard

In the second round, Wizard started in the middle of the arena, right next to the ball. However, as it tried to get hold of the ball, Cassius rammed into it, then pushed past, and Matilda got behind it, lifting it up with her tusks. This allowed Cassius to reverse into the ball, knocking it away from Wizard, up to the top of the Football arena. As Cassius tried to control the ball, Matilda let Wizard go, but strangely, it drove into the back of the immobile Sting. Wizard then broke down in the middle of the arena, whilst GroundHog could only spin on the spot. This allowed Cassius to get the ball past Matilda, then score the second goal.

Footballburn

Matilda lifts Wizard (left) as the ball burns

MatildaandSgtBashattackWizard

Matilda and Sergeant Bash attack the immobile Wizard

In the third round, Wizard did not move at all, and Matilda drove straight into it and lifted it up with her tusks again, dislodging the hat. Matilda left it to attack Sting, who had also broken down, meaning GroundHog was the only competitor at all mobile, and it could only spin in a circle. Sergeant Bash set the ball alight with his flamethrower, and Matilda went back after Wizard, pushing it and lifting it up with her tusks. Her attacks left the strip of metal the team added to try and control the ball totally bent. Matilda turned around and used her chainsaw on the hat, and Sergeant Bash got the other side of Wizard, blasting it with his flamethrower and setting fire to its 'hat'.

"This is chaos! This is wonderful stuff! In on Wizard, Sting actually is completely immobilised! Wizard taking punishment from the House Robots, GroundHog's still moving, Wizard's still moving as well."
— Jonathan Pearce as the House Robots attack Wizard, as all three competitors struggle to move

With Wizard just barely able to turn, the House Robots left Wizard as GroundHog managed to spin into the ball, knocking it away. The round was stopped after Matilda pushed GroundHog to the side of the arena and turned it over with her tusks, as this left all three competitors immobile. The Judges were called to decide which robot would be eliminated.

"They hate the hat! They think its posey!"
— Jonathan Pearce as the House Robots destroy Wizard's 'hat' during the highlights

Despite the damage from the House Robots, Wizard progressed to the Arena stage anyway, as the judges deemed that Sting had become immobilised first. In an interview only shown in Robot Wars Revealed, Ozzie Boulter explained that one of Wizard's chains flails had become caught under one of the wheels, lifting it off the floor and unable to get traction.

"We were our own worst enemy then ... The fact that the House Robots burnt the hat makes no difference at all, there's actually nothing in it apart from some lights, because I didn't have to attach them. So apart from that, a lot, a lot of luck for us. Very disappointing for the team who went out, but that's the luck of the draw. And that's football!"
— Ozzie Boulter after the Football Trial, on Robot Wars Revealed[7]

In the Arena Semi-Finals, Wizard faced 5th seeds Cassius, the successor to previous Grand Finalist Recyclopse.

Cassiius vs wizard

Cassius pushes Wizard into the PPZ

Cassius had the quicker start, charging up the arena, but Wizard turned and dodged Cassius' initial charge and drove into the arena centre. Cassius turned around and drove at Wizard, and Wizard reversed as it got close.

"There's Wizard, an early surge, up to 15 miles-per-hour. In comes Cassius, faster..."
— Jonathan Pearce as Wizard dodges Cassius
CassiustriestogetunderBash

Cassius tries to prevent Sergeant Bash attacking Wizard

Instead of attacking Wizard, Cassius drove around its opponent, then charged straight at Dead Metal in the PPZ. Cassius got underneath the House Robot, and drove into a pyramid in the corner, with Dead Metal hanging off its side. Cassius got out from under Dead Metal and drove back into the arena centre, and Wizard backed closer to the PPZ. Cassius rammed Wizard into the PPZ, and Wizard found itself trapped between Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash, at which point it became immobile. Sergeant Bash pinned Wizard against the bottom arena fence, but Cassius rushed in, pushing Wizard away from Sergeant Bash and getting under the House Robot. Cassius backed out of the PPZ, and Sergeant Bash pushed Wizard by a pyramid in the corner. Sir Killalot pinned Wizard against the pyramid, but then left the PPZ.

"Wizard's in trouble here; immobilised, pushed in with the House Robots, can't get out - that's the end of Wizard for me!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Wizard is left immobile in the PPZ

Cassius charged into Sir Killalot whist Sergeant Bash and Dead Metal attacked Wizard, then Cassius drove around Sir Killalot to drive behind Sergeant Bash, trying to get its flipper underneath. Cassius drove away, and cease was called, with Wizard being eliminated.

Craig Charles: "Well guys, you didn't really stand a chance, did you?"
Richard Johnson: "No, we were dead before we even started I think!"
— Post-battle interview

In an interview only shown in Robot Wars Revealed, Ozzie Boulter explained that Wizard had stopped moving due to a broken drive.

"We've had an absolutely wonderful time! I gotta collect my tools back together because I'm actually going to work tomorrow and using them! It got so damaged that we couldn't even take it apart to find out what the internal damage was!"
— Ozzie Boulter after the battle with Cassius on Robot Wars Revealed[8]

Results[]

WIZARD - RESULTS
Series 2
The Second Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Arena Semi-Final
Heat H, Gauntlet 5.4m (4th) Qualified
Heat H, Trial (Football) Still Active (4th) Qualified
Heat H, Semi-Final vs. Cassius (5) Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 0
  • Losses: 1

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

Series Record[]

Series Wizard Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Heat, Arena Semi-Finals
The Third Wars Entered with The Witch
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

Trivia[]

  • In Episode 8 of Robot Wars Revealed, which covered Heat H of Series 2, clips from the team's video diary were shown, showing Wizard's cassette deck/loudspeaker, and the custom 'multi-situation' control assembly.
  • According to the Robot Wars Technical Manual, Wizard had "American motors, origin unknown".

References[]

Navigation[]

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