Robo Challenge BBC Projects: The Boat that Guy Built

The BBC have recently launched a new programme on BBC1 which features motorcycle racer and mechanic Guy Martin as he attempts to renovate a neglected narrowboat using british inventions from the industrial revolution.

Robo Challenge were delighted to be on board with the show and were commissioned to research and build original british working inventions which would then be used or replicated in the TV show. In last weeks episode Guy had to build the worlds first instant water heater. The engineers at Robo Challenge were given an old sketch from the archives and just 3 days to produce a working water heater replica. 

Robo Challenge re-make original British inventions for popular BBC1 show

The instant water heater is made of 3 main components. Underneath the main compartment is a gas burn which is switched on for only 5-10 seconds before use. The main compartment is a long slender tube which is full of elongated springs which get heated by the gas burner. Above the main tube is a bowl with many small holes where the water is poured into the top. This allows the water to trickle down the springs, gradually heating up before it pours out of the spout at the bottom. Once the water is poured in the top bowl it takes approximately 5 seconds for the water to reach the bottom piping hot!

You can watch the episode online here. Make sure you watch The Boat that Guy Built on BBC 1 every Wednesday at 7:30pm for more bespoke engineering from Robo Challenge Ltd.

For more information about this project and Robo Challenge Ltd please contact us via info@robochallenge.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook and on Twitter (@robochallenge) 

We look forward to hearing from you.

What to expect from the Robo Challenge Blog...?

Well....

Constantly updated news, reviews and project diaries from our expert engineering team. Featuring all things at the cutting edge of robotic combat, from bespoke engineering to our unique gadget filled TV projects.

Robo Challenge Ltd is the flagship events organiser of robot combat in Europe. Our 2.5 ton Arena is the only arena in the UK fully sealed in bullet proof polycarbonate which meets the safety requirements for hosting full robot combat. Our portfolio includes some of the highest profile events since TV’s Robot Wars.

Robo Challenge Ltd also specialise in exciting, hands-on educational workshops for schools, youth groups & science museums across the country. Having over 6 years experience working with children and adults of all ages Robo Challenge has proven an excellent way to inspire learning.

Robo Challenge also offer a bespoke design and engineering service to the highest standard. All of our own equipment, including the arenas and robots, have been designed and produced in house by our crew.

Satan's Mutt - Under the Titanium skin...

April 2010 saw Team Robo Challenge commissioned by The Gadget Show to produce a gadget filled fighting robot like no other! This robot would be driven in combat by Gadget Show presenters Jason Bradbury & Ortis Deley. The Robo Challenge team were really up against it with just 3 weeks until we started filming the episode for TV. 

With no time to waste, Robo Challenge expert engineers Grant and John got straight to work. designing the robot on Autodesk Inventor (sponsored by Autodesk). This excellent CAD package allowed our team to design Satan's Mutt from start to finish in 3D! The excellent software features also meant we could run simulations of the weapons and multiple stress analysis on different components to make sure they would take the strains & stresses of robot combat.

As soon as the initial design stage was complete the Robo Challenge crew worked night and day to get this special bespoke project ready for the strict filming deadline. If Satans Mutt wasn’t ready in time for battle in 3 weeks the episode would have to be pulled from the schedule. 

Using only the best materials, a number of bespoke and precision engineered Robo Challenge components combined with the team's vast expertise Satan's Mutt was built in time for the strict filming deadline. 

Despite the odds being stacked against them Team Robo Challenge prevailed delivering a revolutionary machine with a pneumatic system that had never before been seen in robot combat! Satan's Mutt also sported rare earth magnet DC motors (sponsored by AstroFlight), super light weight lithium polymer batteries (sponsored by Thunder Power)  & a custom Wii-mote control system using software written and created by Robo Challenge Ltd. Not to forget the awesome secret weapon - a remote activated smoke bomb!

On the day of filming Satan's Mutt was driven into the arena for the first time. Jason and Ortis were bouncing around with excitement as they took the Gadget Shows very own fighting robot into battle. 

You can watch the full Robo Challenge episode on the Gadget Show here.

You can also watch some of the  video animation which was produced on Autodesk Inventor during the design process on our website www.robochallenge.co.uk


For further information on Robo Challenge Ltd events and services please email info@robochallenge.co.uk