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1. #Roadblock alert number manual
2. #Roadblock alert number series

" Originally, the robot was called 'Road Rage', but a sensitive article in a tabloid newspaper during the production of the series led to the BBC's suggestion that the robot be named more benignly - hence 'Roadblock'. A distinctive two-tone police siren was also fitted, which sounded whenever Roadblock attacked its opponents during the course of Series 2. Roadblock's rear weapon was upgraded to a 12-inch tungsten-tipped circular saw, which was now placed further back from the rear bodywork on new mounts to further improve its damaging capability. A new welded aluminium chassis was also created in place of the former steel one to reduce weight, this being made from a more up-to-date wheelchair. According to Oliver Steeples, the wheelchair motors were swapped out for 'industrial' types, though the original control box - repurposed as the robot's speed controller - remained. This made Roadblock one of the very first UK Robot Wars competitors to adopt interchangeable weapons as part of its design, alongside fellow Heat A competitors Killertron and Shogun.įor Series 2, Roadblock underwent a complete internal rebuild, which saw its motors and electronics moved to the front. The petrol-powered blade rotated at over 6,600rpm, with the Bodmin Community College team having the option of multiple discs including a circular grinder, a black cutting blade lined with prominent sharp teeth, and a square-shaped blade which went unused. Though Roadblock relied mostly on its front-end shape to push and tip opponents over, its most potent weapon was a rear-mounted cutting disc powered by a 25cc two-stroke strimmer engine. Hender Blewett with Roadblock's interchangeable blades The latter were accompanied by black and white chevron markings on the sides for Series 2. Roadblock's rear end comprised of a section of an old oil drum, which was painted over with red, yellow and black hazard stripes. Ultimately, the BBC liked the appearance of the road signs, and the team deliberately kept the signs unpainted for both series. The signs, salvaged from a skip with assistance from a council employee, were originally planned to be painted over, but when Bodmin Community College ran out of time to do so, they entered Roadblock with them unpainted. Roadblock ultimately took the form of a large wedge-shaped robot with a two-wheel drive system, two 12V gel cell batteries for power and road signs forming its front panel and scoop. With money being a major issue for the newly-formed Bodmin Community College team, a number of local companies donated materials for the robot's construction, including a second-hand electric wheelchair that formed the basis for its chassis and locomotion. Hender Blewett and Peter Kinsey designed Roadblock after studying robots from American robot combat events, namely the original 1994-1997 US Robot Wars competitions founded by Marc Thorpe.

#Roadblock alert number manual

Fortunately, the team knew someone who worked at the local council, and this contact took them to a huge skip, from where they chose the "Road Ahead Closed" sign that became the robot's most distinctive feature." - Robot Wars Technical Manual on the construction of Roadblock By chance, Hender saw a road sign that exactly fitted the dimensions of the chassis, and which he could see would make an excellent bonnet. " Initially, the team had problems coming up with a body design.

It typically used this wedge to control and turn opponents over, as demonstrated in combat against Recyclopse, Robot the Bruce and Killertron on two occasions.Īfter two appearances in the UK Series, Roadblock was retired and a similarly designed successor, Beast of Bodmin, entered The Third Wars. Roadblock sought to defend its title in the Second Wars and placed third after being defeated by Cassius in the Grand Final.īuilt as an A-level school project for students at Bodmin Community College, Roadblock was a large wedge-shaped machine covered in road signs that inspired the robot's name. Roadblock notched up a seven-straight battle winning streak, including a dominant performance in the six-way title fight of Series 1. One of the most successful robots in the early years of the show, Roadblock won the first ever broadcast episode of the show and then went on to become the inaugural UK Champion by winning The First Wars. Roadblock (also spelled Road Block) was a robot that competed in the British television game show Robot Wars. " Roadblock was an A level Technology project for Hender.Hender is a very able technology student who has been presented to HRH the Prince of Wales with his technology project." - Peter Kinsey