Google
 

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Motorcycle

A motorcycle or motorbike is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. Styles of motorcycles vary depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions. In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motorised transport.
A variety of parked motorcycles
A variety of parked motorcycles

History

Replica of the Daimler-Maybach Reitwagen
Replica of the Daimler-Maybach Reitwagen
A 1913 Fabrique National in-line four with shaft drive from Belgium
A 1913 Fabrique National in-line four with shaft drive from Belgium
A  pre-war Polish Sokół 1000
A pre-war Polish Sokół 1000

The inspiration for arguably the first motorcycle was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Bad Cannstatt (since 1905 a city district of Stuttgart) in 1885.[1] The first petroleum-powered vehicle, it was essentially a motorized bicycle, although the inventors called their invention the Reitwagen ("riding car").

However, if one counts two wheels with steam propulsion as being a motorcycle, then the first one may have been American. One such machine was demonstrated at fairs and circuses in the eastern U.S. in 1867, built by Sylvester Howard Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts.[1]

In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first motorcycle available for purchase.[2] In the early period of motorcycle history, many producers of bicycles adapted their designs to accommodate the new internal combustion engine. As the engines became more powerful, and designs outgrew the bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased.

An historic 1941 Crocker
An historic 1941 Crocker

Until the First World War, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world was Indian, producing over 20,000 bikes per year. By 1920, this honour went to Harley-Davidson, with their motorcycles being sold by dealers in 67 countries, until 1928 when DKW took over as the largest manufacturer.

After the Second World War, the BSA Group became the largest producer of motorcycles in the world, producing up to 75,000 bikes a year in the 1950s. The German company NSU Motorenwerke AG held the position of largest manufacturer from 1955 until the 1970s.

From the 1960s through the 1990s, small two-stroke motorcycles were popular worldwide, partly as a result of East German Walter Kaaden's engine work in the 1950s.[3]

A 2002 Suzuki FXR150

Today, the Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha dominate the motorcycle industry, although Harley-Davidson still maintains a high degree of popularity in the United States. Recent years have also seen a resurgence in the popularity of several other brands sold in the U.S. market, including BMW, Triumph and Ducati.

Outside of the USA, these brands have enjoyed continued and sustained success, although Triumph, for example, has been re-incarnated from its former self into a modern world-class manufacturer. In overall numbers, however, the Chinese currently manufacture and sell more motorcycles than any other country and exports are rising. The quality of these machines is asserted to be somewhat lower than their Japanese, European and American counterparts.

Also, the small-capacity scooter is very popular through most of the world, and the Piaggio group of Italy, for example, is one of the world's largest producers of two-wheeled vehicles, the scooter culture has, as yet, not been adopted widely in North America.

Technical aspects

Construction

Motorcycle construction is the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly of components and systems for a motorcycle which results in performance, cost and aesthetics desired by the designer. With some exceptions, construction of modern mass-produced motorcycles has standardized on a steel or aluminum frame, telescopic forks holding the front wheel, and disc brakes. A one- to six-cylinder gasoline powered engine coupled to a manual, five- or six-speed sequential transmission drives the swingarm-mounted rear wheel by a chain, driveshaft or belt.

Fuel economy

Motorcycle fuel economy benefits from the relatively small mass of the vehicle, compared to its passengers and to other motor vehicles, and subsequent small engine displacement. However, poor aerodynamics of exposed passengers and engines designed for goals other than fuel economy can work to reduce these benefits.

Fuel economy varies greatly with engine displacement from a low of 29 mpg U.S. (8.1 L/100km) reported by a Honda VTR1000F rider,[4] to 107 mpg U.S. (2.2 L/100km) reported for the Verucci Nitro 50 cc Scooter.[5] A specially designed Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 achieved 470 mpg U.S. (0.5 L/100km) "on real highways - in real conditions."[6]

Dynamics

Motorcycles must be leaned in order to turn. This lean can be induced by a method known as countersteering, in which the rider turns the handlebars in the direction opposite of the desired direction of turn. In other words, press forward on the handgrip in the desired direction — press right to go right, press left to go left. This concept is counter-intuitive and often very confusing to novices — and even to many experienced motorcyclists.[7]

The primary effect of countersteering is to shift the front tire contact patch such that a lean is initiated. Other methods allegedly used for turning a motorcycle, such as shifting weight to the side or the pegs, only help leaning the body of the motorcycle towards a direction; thus turning the front wheel in the opposite direction due to the preservation of angular momentum, and eventually resulting in countersteering.

Short wheelbase motorcycles, such as sport bikes, can generate enough torque at the rear wheel and enough stopping force at the front wheel to lift the other wheel off the pavement. These actions, if performed on purpose, are known as wheelies and stoppies respectively. If carried past the point of recovery the resulting upset is known as "looping" the vehicle.

Additions

Various additions may be attached to a motorcycle or come as an integral part of a motorcycle from the factory.

Full fairing on a Honda Gold Wing
Full fairing on a Honda Gold Wing
Fairing

A plastic or fibreglass shell, known as a "fairing", is placed over the frame on some models to shield the rider from the wind, aid in aerodynamics and protect engine components in an accident and also from theft. Drag is the major factor that limits motorcycle speed, as it increases at the square of the velocity, with the resultant required power increasing with the cube of velocity. As can be seen from the streamlined appearance of new performance motorcycles, there is much aerodynamic technology included in the design. Unfortunately, since the 1958 FIM ban on "dustbin" fairings no major manufacturer has been bold enough to overcome the effect of the turbulence caused by the spinning front wheel, which prevents the motorcycle from cutting a clean path through the air. The "dustbin" fairing can improve aerodynamic performance without unacceptably compromising the rider's ability to control the machine, although with a weight penalty.

An example of a fairing on a Honda CBR1000F
An example of a fairing on a Honda CBR1000F

In the absence of a fairing or windshield, a phenomenon known as the windsock effect occurs at speeds above 100 km/h, where the rider becomes a major source of drag and is pushed back from the handlebars, tiring the rider. However, these motorcycles still effectively push their way through the atmosphere with brute force. A cabin cycle, which has a hull that wraps around the basic cycle frame, solved the problem of aerodynamics by isolating driver from outside air.

Modern fairings on touring and sport-touring motorcycles dramatically improve a rider's comfort and attention on long rides by reducing the effect of the wind and rain on the body. They also help keep a rider warm in cold weather, reducing hypothermia. Heated hand grips, and even heated seats, also improve rider comfort in cold weather. Motorcycles from a number of manufacturers now have electric windshields, which raise and lower the windshield with the push of a button to the optimum height for conditions.

Heated hand grips/seats

As motorcycles lack climate control or proper protection from the wind, some manufacturers offer heated seats or hand grips to relieve the discomfort of wind chill during night riding or the colder months. They can also be added on as after market accessories and are powered by the bike's battery.

Luggage rack

A common addition to many bikes is an attachment onto which bags or other luggage can be fastened. This removes the need for rider backpacks and is generally a more secure and safe way to add carrying capacity to a motorcycle.

Sidecar
Vespa scooter with sidecar
Vespa scooter with sidecar

A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle. Early sidecars were intended to be removable devices that could be detached from the motorcycle. Sidecars gradually superseded forecars and trailers. The forecar comprised a two-wheeled attachment attached to the front of the motorcycle; the trailer was just that, leaving the passenger to be hauled along behind the vehicle. In neither case could rider and passenger converse easily – this may be why early sidecars were often called 'sociable' attachments.

Trailer hitch

A trailer hitch or tow hitch is a device mounted on a motorcycle that enables it to tow a motorcycle trailer, usually in order to haul additional gear.

Trunk

A motorcycle trunk is a storage compartment in the vicinity of the seat, other than panniers or saddlebags. A trunk mounted above and to the rear of the seat is also called a top box.

Social aspects

Subcultures

A motorcycle rally in Ontario
A motorcycle rally in Ontario

Around the world, motorcycles have historically been associated with subcultures. Some of these subcultures have been loose-knit social groups such as the cafe racers of 1950s Britain, and the Mods and Rockers of the 1960s. A few are believed to be criminal gangs.

Social motorcyclist organizations are popular and are sometimes organised geographically, focus on individual makes, or even specific models. Example motorcycle clubs include: American Motorcyclist Association, Harley Owners Group, Gold Wing Road Riders (GWRRA), and BMW MOA.

Many motorcycle organizations raise money for charities through organized events and rides. Some organizations hold large international rallies in different parts of the world that are attended by many thousands of riders.

Mobility

While the reasons for people choosing to ride motorcycles are many and varied, those reasons are increasingly practical, with riders opting for a powered two-wheeler as a cost-efficient alternative to infrequent and expensive public transport systems, or as a means of avoiding or reducing the effects of urban congestion.[8] In places where it is permitted, lane splitting, also known as filtering, allows motorcycles to use the space between vehicles to continue moving through stationary or slow traffic.[9]

In England, motorcycles are exempt from the £8 per day London congestion charge other vehicles have to pay to enter the city during the day. Motorcycles are also exempt from toll bridge charges at some crossings, such as the Severn Bridge and Dartford Crossing. Some cities, such as Bristol, allow motorcycles to use bus lanes and provide dedicated free parking. In the United States, those states that have high-occupancy vehicle lanes also allow for motorcycle travel in them. Other countries have similar policies.

In many cultures, motorcycles are the primary means of motorized transport. According to the Taiwanese government, for example, "the number of automobiles per ten thousand population is around 2,500, and the number of motorcycles is about 5,000."[10]

Safety

Motorcycles have a far higher rate of crippling and fatal accidents per unit distance than automobiles. According to the U. S. Highway Safety Authority, in 2004 15.0 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes while the rate for motorcycles is 69.3 per 100,000 (a ratio of 4.6 to 1). The picture is worse when distance travelled are taken into account: in 2004 in the U.S., there were 0.4 motorcyclist fatalities per million miles compared to 0.012 passenger car occupant fatalities per million miles (a ratio of 33 to 1).

The two major causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States, i.e., (1) motorists pulling out or turning in front of motorcyclists and violating their rights-of-way and (2) motorcyclists running wide in turns and crashing, are made more likely when motorcyclists mix drinking with riding.[11] Motorcyclists can do much to anticipate and avoid these crashes by getting proper training, increasing their conspicuity to other traffic, and separating alcohol and riding.

An MSF rider course for novices
An MSF rider course for novices

The United Kingdom has a number of organizations which are dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training over and above what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle test. These include the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Along with increased personal safety, riders with these advanced qualifications often benefit from reduced insurance costs.

Motorcycle Safety Education is offered throughout the United States by a number of organizations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organizations to corporations. The courses, designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course.

In some Australian jurisdictions, such as New South Wales,[12] the Australian Capital Territory[13] and the Northern Territory,[14] it is compulsory to undertake a rider training course before being issued a Learners Licence.

In Canada, motorcycle rider training is compulsory in Quebec and Manitoba only, but all provinces and territories have Graduated Licensing programs which place restrictions on new drivers until they have gained more experience. Eligibility for a full motorcycle license or endorsement for completing a Motorcycle Safety course varies from province to province. The Canada Safety Council (CSC), a non-profit safety organization, offers the Gearing Up program across Canada and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council.[15] Again, training course graduates often benefit with reduced insurance premiums.

Types of motorcycles

Main article: Types of motorcycle

There are three major types of motorcycle, street, off-road, and dual purpose. Within these types, there are many different sub-types of motorcycles for many different purposes.

Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic. A typical "cruiser" design
Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic. A typical "cruiser" design
Russian moped ZiD-50 "Pilot"
Russian moped ZiD-50 "Pilot"
An Italian 125cc Cagiva Planet. A standard motorbike
An Italian 125cc Cagiva Planet.
A standard motorbike
A Kawasaki ZX-7RR sport bike
A Kawasaki ZX-7RR sport bike
A BMW R1200RT touring bike
A BMW R1200RT touring bike
A Honda motocross bike
The popular Kawasaki KLR650 dual-purpose motorcycle
The popular Kawasaki KLR650 dual-purpose motorcycle

Street

  • Choppers: Highly customized motorcycles based on a cruiser-style frame with long rake (longer front forks) and wild paint jobs. These are created more for show than ridability.
  • Cruisers: A range of small to large motorcycles designed for comfort and looks with a relaxed upright seating position. They are notable for their heavy use of chrome and are often highly customized.
  • Electric motorcycles: Nearly silent, zero-emission electric motor-driven vehicles. Though electric motorcycles are emission free during operation, producing the electricity that charges the batteries in them can be a cause of pollution. Operating range and top speed suffer because of limitations of battery technology. Fuel cells and petroleum-electric hybrids are also under development to extend the range and improve performance of the electric motors.
  • Mini bikes: Very small bikes designed to be simple runaround fun for both children and adults. Generally they have no hand-operated clutch or gearbox to simplify operation. Also known as Mini Motos. Not street-legal in most countries and jurisdictions. May be used for racing by all age levels.
  • Mopeds: Small, light, inexpensive, efficient rides for getting around town. Usually started by pedaling (motorcycle + pedals = moped).
    • Underbones: Small motorcycle which is a crossover between a scooter and a true motorcycle with step-through frame, popular in Southeast Asia. While the fuel tank for most motorcycles are tear-shaped and located at the top and just behind the instrument panel, the fuel tank for an underbone motorcycle is located under the seat.
  • Naked bikes/Standard/Street bikes: Naked bikes have a riding position midway between the forward position of a sports bike and the reclined position of a cruiser. Unlike touring bikes, naked bikes often have little or no fairing (hence the title). Luggage capabilities are often an optional extra. Naked bikes are popular for commuting and other city riding as the upright riding position gives greater visibility in heavy traffic (both for the rider and to other road users) and are more comfortable than the hunched over sport bikes. Note that naked bike and standard are not fully interchangeable terms. Naked refers to the lack of bodywork and standard refers to the upright riding position.
  • Scooters: Motorbikes with a step-through frame and generally smaller wheels than those of a traditional motorcycle. Can be ridden without straddling any part of the bike. Available in sport, commuter, and touring models.
  • Sport bikes: Fast, light, sleek motorcycles designed for maximum performance, for racing or spirited road riding. They are distinguishable by their full fairings and the rider's tipped-forward seating position. They are also called "race replicas" because of their connection to the racing category for production motorcycles known as Superbike racing. The power to weight ratio of the 900 cc+ models typically matches or exceeds one bhp of power for every one Kg of mass. (Slang terms for sport bikes include "suicycles" and "crotch rockets".)
    • Racing bikes: Motorcycles designed for circuit or road racing, including mass-production motorcycles modified for motorcycle racing or sport riding.
    • Street customs: Highly customised motorcycles with wild paint jobs also built for show, but constructed from a sport bike frame instead of a cruiser-style frame.
  • Touring motorcycles: Touring bikes are designed for rider and passenger comfort, luggage carrying capacity, and reliability. Cruisers, sport bikes and some dual-sports can also be used as touring bikes with the addition of aftermarket luggage and seats.
    • Sport touring motorcycles: Sport-tourers are factory-built hybrids of a sport bike and a touring motorcycle, for those riders who desire the qualities of both. They are built for comfort, while maintaining a forward-leaning riding position.

Off-road

  • Motocross bikes: Motorcycles designed for racing over closed circuits, often with jumps, over varied terrain of gravel/mud/sand. Sometimes simply called "dirt bikes" when not being raced, they can also be used for informal off-road recreation, or "mudding."
  • Supermotos: Beginning in the mid-1990s, motocross machines fitted with street wheels and tyres similar to those used on Sport bikes began to appear. These are known as "Supermotards", and riders of these machines compete in specially organized rallies and races.
  • Trials motorcycles: Motorcycles made as light as possible, with no seat (as they are designed to be ridden standing up), in order to provide maximum freedom of body positioning and stunt capability for use in observed trials competition.

Dual-purpose

  • Dual-sports: Road-legal machines offering a compromise in highway and off-road performance, durability and comfort. Since the requirements are often conflicting, the manufacturer has to choose one or the other, resulting in a great variety of bikes in this category.
  • Enduros: Road-legal versions of a motocross machine, i.e., featuring high ground clearance and copious suspension with minimal creature comforts. Highly unsuitable for long distance road travel. The features that differ from the motocross versions are the silencers, the flywheel weights and the presence of features necessary for highway use.
  • Adventure Touring: Closely related to dual-sports, adventure tourers are motorcycles with lighter weight than just about any other bike considered a tourer, but heavier than any traditional dual-sport. Adventure tourers can handle with aplomb rough dirt paths such as fire roads however, for their weight they are generally not suited for anything more strenuous than that. The advantage is their increased number of luxury features and larger engines which make on-road riding much more enjoyable.

Legal definitions and restrictions

See also: Restrictions on motorcycle use on freeways

A motorcycle is broadly defined by law in some countries for the purposes of registration, taxation or licensing riders as a two-wheel motor vehicle "fit to drive." Other countries distinguish between mopeds and other small bikes and the larger, more powerful vehicles. In Canada and some U.S. jurisdictions, three-wheeled motor vehicles fall under the auspices of motorcycle regulations.

In some jurisdictions, the term "motorcycle" includes trikes
In some jurisdictions, the term "motorcycle" includes trikes

In the United Kingdom, the rules on which motorcycle may be ridden by whom are complex.[16] A "moped", which can be ridden at age 16, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (30 mph) and engine capacity no greater than 50 cc. A "learner motorcycle", which can be ridden from age 17, has an engine up to 125 cc with a power output not exceeding 11 kW (14.6 bhp) . A "large motorcycle", which can only be ridden by a person age 21 or older with two years experience on a learner motorcycle, has a power output of at least 35 kW (46 bhp). Otherwise, riders are restricted to riding motorcycles with a power output of not more than 25 kW (33 bhp) for two years after passing their initial motorcycle test. For riders over age 21 there is a direct access route to gaining a licence to ride a large motorcycle, which allows somebody with no motorcycle experience to train and pass a test in around five days. All motorcycle riders in the UK must first take a one-day Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course, regardless of which class of motorcycle they intend to ride. In addition a theory test must be taken prior to taking a practical test for any type of motorcycle licence.

A scooter and a motorcycle
A scooter and a motorcycle

In New Zealand, "learner" and "restricted" motorcycles need only have a 250 cc engine capacity. This distinction draws some criticism, as it allows 15-year-old learner riders to operate bikes capable of reaching speeds in excess of 250 km/h.

The laws of some countries allow anyone with a car licence to legally ride mopeds not exceeding 50 cc in capacity, meaning that they do not need to show any competency in handling such a vehicle.

The laws and regulations for legal moped usage in the U.S. vary by state.[17] The specifics of the motorcycle and moped laws in the U.S. can be obtained from each individual state's Department of Motor Vehicles' websites.[18]


References

  1. ^ a b The Past - 1800s: First motorcycle. The History and Future of Motorcycles and motorcycling - From 1885 to the Future, Total Motorcycle Website. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
  2. ^ Brief History of the Marque: Hildebrand & Wolfmuller. Hildebrand & Wolfmuller Motorad, European Motorcycle Universe. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
  3. ^ Ed Youngblood. Motocross goes International, 1947 through 1965. The History of Motocross, Part Two, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
  4. ^ Total Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide. Total Motorcycle Website. Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
  5. ^ Verucci Gas Scooters. Gekgo Worldwide, www.gekgo.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  6. ^ Doing More with Less Energy. The Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests - 1980 through 1985. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  7. ^ Joel Fajans (July 2000). "Steering in bicycles and motorcycles" (PDF). American Journal of Physics, v. 68 (7): pp. 654–59. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  8. ^ Bob Tomlins (September 1997). Rider training in Europe The Views and the Needs of the Rider (PDF). The Federation of European Motorcyclists. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
  9. ^ All the info you need on lanesharing (lanesplitting). www.WhyBike.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
  10. ^ Chung-Li. Sustainable Development Indicators for Taiwan. Workshop on Sustainable Development Indicators. Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
  11. ^ Hurt, H.H., Ouellet, J.V. and Thom, D.R (January 1981). The Hurt Report. Technical Report, Volume 1, Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  12. ^ Learner riders licence. Motorcycle Rider Training Scheme, Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  13. ^ Learner Licence. Road Transport Information Management, www.rego.act.gov.au. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  14. ^ Motorcyclist Education Training And Licencing (METAL). Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure, www.ipe.nt.gov.au. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  15. ^ MMIC Information. Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  16. ^ Mopeds and Motorcycles: Routes to your licence (PDF). UK Department for Transport. Retrieved on 2007-03-03.
  17. ^ Moped Laws. www.mopedarmy.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
  18. ^ DMV Websites. www.mopedarmy.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.

BattleBots

BattleBots is an American company that hosts robot competitions. BattleBots is also the name of the television show created from the competition footage, and a nickname for the combat robots which compete. BattleBots Inc. is headquartered in Novato, California and holds most of its competitions in San Francisco.

In a BattleBots event, as in other combat robot competitions, competitors bring remote-controlled, armored and weaponed machines which they have designed and built, and put them in an arena to fight in an elimination tournament. The purpose of the fight is for one robot, or "bot", to dominate or disable the other.

Publicity still of Bill Nye, the show's technical expert, in the BattleBots arena.
Publicity still of Bill Nye, the show's technical expert, in the BattleBots arena.

The television show BattleBots aired on the American cable network Comedy Central for five seasons, covering five complete BattleBots tournaments. The first season aired starting in August 2000, and the fifth season aired starting in August 2002. Hosts of BattleBots were Bil Dwyer and Sean Salisbury (with Tim Green replacing Salisbury after the second season) and correspondents included former Baywatch actress Donna D'Errico, Carmen Electra, Heidi Mark, Traci Bingham, and identical twins Randy and Jason Sklar. Bill Nye was the show's "technical expert".

Due to continued declining ratings (one major criticism of the show was that it focused far too much on the wacky reporters and the robot builders' backstories, and not nearly enough on the actual robot combat), Comedy Central terminated their contract with BattleBots Inc. in late 2002, and BattleBots Inc. is currently seeking another television partner.

The machines entered in such contests are not technically true robots in that they are not autonomous in their actions. They are remotely controlled by their teams, so might be more properly referred to as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Self-controlled combat robots are allowed under the rules, but are very difficult to make competitive in the complicated combat environment.

In addition to Battlebots, many local and regional combat robotics organizations are active throughout the world. Many of them focus on lighter-weight robots to keep arena and build costs practical for hobbyists.

Early history

Battlebots is an offshoot of the original American version of Robot Wars, the brainchild of Marc Thorpe. Robot Wars had financial backing from Sm:)e communications, a New York record company. The Thorpe/Sm:)e partnership broke up in 1997, starting many years of legal wrangling between Thorpe and Profile Records (the former Sm:)e communications). Profile licensed Robot Wars to a UK production company and Robot Wars ran for seven years as a popular television program in the UK.

The robot builders left behind in San Francisco formed BattleBots, Inc. and began a series of competitions. The first was held in Long Beach, California in August 1999 and was also cybercast on ZDTV. The second, held in November 1999, in Las Vegas, Nevada was a pay per view event. These led to the five semi-annual BattleBots tournaments televised as prime time series on the American network Comedy Central starting in May 2000.[1]

Weight classes

Robots at BattleBots tournaments were separated into four weight classes. The weight limits increased slightly over time. At the final tournaments the classes were:

  • Lightweight -- 60 pounds (27 kilograms)
  • Middleweight-- 120 pounds (54 kilograms)
  • Heavyweight -- 220 pounds (100 kilograms)
  • Superheavyweight -- 340 pounds (154 kilograms).

'Walking' robots ('StompBots') propelled by means other than wheels were initially given a 50% weight bonus. The rules changed following the victory of a heavyweight StompBot at BattleBots 3.0. For BattleBots 4.0 and beyond only a 20% weight bonus was given to walkers and the technical rules specified walking mechanisms so tightly that no further Stompbots entered the tournaments.

Robot design

Robot Combat is a hobby in which two or more radio-controlled machines use varied methods of destroying or disabling the other robot. The machines are referred to as robots, though some will argue that they are not 'robots' as they are not autonomous. Robot Combat enjoyed a period in the public eye when several television shows broadcast the robot fights. Either the public or the TV network administrators lost interest, and the shows dropped from the airwaves. The most well-known of these shows were Battlebots, Robot Wars, and Robotica. Combat robots have received mention in the press and entertainment shows from time to time as well.

Robot builders may be of any age and come from any walk of life. The robots themselves can range from modified remote controlled toys weighing less than a pound to three-hundred plus pounds of exotic metallurgy and sophisticated electronics. Although building a combat robot can cost thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours, some schools use the construction of combat robots in their courses to teach mechanical design and technology. For schools that shy away from the violence of combat robots, there are robotic competition alternatives such as the cooperative competition FIRST.

Tombstone is launched by Megabyte at Combots
Tombstone is launched by Megabyte at Combots

Matches

Matches are three minutes long. During a match, two robots do their best to destroy each other using whatever means available.

If a robot is unable to move for thirty seconds, because it is too badly damaged or it is stuck on the arena hazards, it is declared knocked out. The driver may also call a "tap-out" to forfeit the match if his or her robot is about to be destroyed. This ends the match ten seconds later; the opposing driver is "asked (but not instructed)" not to attack during the ten-second count.

In about half the matches, both robots survive the three minutes; at that point, three judges distribute a total of 45 points (15 points a judge, 5 points per judge per category) over three categories. The robot with the higher score wins. The judging categories are Aggression, Strategy, and Damage. A robot who hangs back safely from its opponent will not get many Aggression points; one in there fighting the whole time, however, will. The Strategy category is about how well a robot exploits its opponent's weaknesses, protects its own, and handles the hazards. A robot driving over the kill saws will lose points here, unless it had good reason to do so, while a robot that is able to attack its opponent's weak areas will gain points. The Damage category is for how much damage the bot can deal to its opponent while remaining intact itself.

The winner moves on; the loser is eliminated from the tournament.

Also, at the end of the tournament, a 'rumble' or 'melee round' occurs in each weight class, allowing all bots from that weight class to fight in the arena at the same time, in a 5 minute match. The rules still apply for these rounds. NOTE: Occasionally there's too many robots for one rumble, so a second and even a third rumble occurs, and then the surviving bots from those rumbles compete in one, final, rumble.

The BattleBox

The BattleBox is a 48' x 48' square arena designed to protect the drivers, officials, and audience from flying shrapnel and charging bots. It has a steel floor and steel-framed walls and roof paneled with thick, bulletproof polycarbonate plastic. The teams bring their robots in through doorways, which are sealed after all humans have exited. The drivers control their machines from outside the sealed arena.

Arena hazards

Operated by "Pulverizer Pete", the arena hazards are intended to make fights more interesting and unpredictable, and to reward drivers who can avoid the hazards while pushing or carrying their opponent into them. The hazards include:

  • Pulverizers: 150lb. mallets that can do major damage to any bot that passes under it. Originally normal sledgehammers that did minimal damage, they evolved into 50 pound aluminum mallets that broke off several times (season 2) and finally evolved into the 150 pound mallets (seasons 3 and on).
  • Spike Strips: The walls of the arena are covered with foot-long sharpened steel spikes. Pushing an opponent hard into a wall can sometimes lodge it into the spikes, immobilizing it.
  • Spinners: These rapidly-spinning discs in the floor do not damage a robot, but interfere with its driving or fling it across the room (depending on the weight). The spinners inadvertently only affect the Lightweight class, as the higher weight class robots are heavy enough that they can just pass over them with little resistance.
  • Kill Saws: The Kill Saws are circular saws that rise out of the floor at high speed as soon as a robot drives over the red slots that conceal them. The diamond-tipped saw blades can tear into a bot's tires or chassis, and can even throw a smaller bot across the arena.
  • Pistons: First introduced in Season 3, Pistons are steel columns that raise and lower from the floor without warning. As they are not sharp or particularly fast, they don't do much damage to robots, but they can stop a charging robot or flip one over. The Pistons were removed for Seasons 4 and 5.
  • Ramrods: These are sharpened steel spikes that come out of the arena floor in groups of six, serving either to lift a robot off the ground or puncture its lower armor if poorly constructed.
  • Hell Raisers: Even the floor is not to be trusted. If a robot drives over the center of the arena, a hydraulic lift will spring these sections of the floor to a 15-degree tilt. The Hell Raisers were taken out in Season 5 to allow more room for the robots to fight.
  • Screws: First introduced in season 3, these devices were a modification to the static spike strips. The screws were continually rotating augers placed horizontally at the edge of the arena floor. The Screws were intended to scrape up a bot, and possibly drag it closer to the Pulverizers due to the corkscrew design. However, much like the Spinners, these affected the Lightweights the most. In fact, they barely made much of a difference in fights at all, rendering them a "cosmetic fix" instead. For Season 5, the screws were upgraded so that instead of 'pushing' in one direction, they converged in the center from opposite directions, forming a 'V' that would very often flip or damage robots. They were also given teeth, to catch onto armor better.

Tournament winners

Long Beach; August 1999

  • Gigabot Winner - Biohazard (defeating Kill-o-amp 2, Monster, Tazbot, and Killerhurtz(twice))
  • Megabot Winner - Son Of Smashy (defeating GoldDigger, Ankle Biter, Deadblow, and Knee Breaker (twice))
  • Kilobot Winner - Ziggo (defeating Dr. Inferno / Hot Air (multibot), Executioner(twice), Toe Crusher, and Defiant)

Las Vegas; November 1999

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Minion (defeating S.L.A.M., World Peace and Ricon)
  • Heavyweight Winner - Vlad The Impaler (defeating Kill-O-Amp, Biohazard, Rhino and Voltarc)

San Francisco; June 2000 (Season 1.0)

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Minion (defeating GrayMatter, Grendal, Rammstein and DooAll)
  • Heavyweight Winner - Vlad The Impaler (defeating GoldDigger, Tazbot, Overkill, Punjar and Voltarc)
  • Middleweight Winner - Hazard (defeating Pegleg, Turtle Roadkill, Space Operations Force and Deadblow)
  • Lightweight Winner - Backlash (defeating Disposable Hero, The Crusher, Endotherm, Das Bot and Alpha Raptor)

Las Vegas; November 2000 (Season 2.0)

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Diesector (defeating Hamunaptra, World Peace, Rammstein, War Machine and Atomic Wedgie)
  • Heavyweight Winner - BioHazard (defeating Marvel of Engineering (M.O.E.), Suicidal Tendencies, Nightmare, frenZy and Vlad the Impaler)
  • Middleweight Winner - Spaz (defeating Tobor Rabies, Blue Streak, Buddy Lee Don't Play In The Street, Bad Attitude and El Diablo)
  • Lightweight Winner - Ziggo (defeating Scrap Metal, Scrap Daddy LW55, Afterthought 2.0, Beta Raptor and Backlash)

Treasure Island; May 2001 (Season 3.0)

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Vladiator (defeating Juggerbot, Hammertime, Revision Z, Techno Destructo, Diesector and Minion)
  • Heavyweight Winner - Son Of Whyachi (defeating Shaka, Crab Meat, Kill-O-Amp, Nightmare, MechaVore, Hexadecimator and Biohazard)
  • Middleweight Winner - Hazard (defeating Fusion, Zion, F5, T-Wrex and Little Drummer Boy)
  • Lightweight Winner - Dr Inferno Jr (defeating Blood Dragon, Toe Crusher, Bad Habit, Herr Gepoünden, Sallad and Gamma Raptor)

Treasure Island; November 2001 (Season 4.0)

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Toro (defeating Maximus, The Judge, Vladiator, Little Blue Engine and New Cruelty)
  • Heavyweight Winner - BioHazard (defeating Stealth Terminator, Jabberwock, Nightmare, Tazbot and Overkill)
  • Middleweight Winner - Hazard (defeating Timmy, SABotage, El Diablo, Heavy Metal Noise and Complete Control)
  • Lightweight Winner - Ziggo (defeating Snowflake, Serial Box Killer, Wedge of Doom, Death By Monkeys, and The Big B)

Treasure Island; May 2002 (Season 5.0)

  • Superheavyweight Winner - Diesector (defeating Final Destiny, Dreadnought, HammerTime, New Cruelty and Vladiator)
  • Heavyweight Winner - BioHazard (defeating Center Punch, Greenspan, MechaVore, Aces and Eights, and Voltronic)
  • Middleweight Winner - T-Minus (defeating TriDent, Double Agent, Huggy Bear, Hazard and S.O.B.)
  • Lightweight Winner - Dr Inferno Jr (defeating Afterburner, Tentoumushi 8.0, Death By Monkeys, Gamma Raptor and Wedge of Doom)

Merchandising

JAKKS Pacific created BattleBots toys. Two versions, the smaller BattleBashers and larger Grip N' Grapplers were made. The bots made into toys were mainly champions (such as Toro and Biohazard) and fan favorites (such as Ziggo and Ronin)

  • Bots made into BattleBashers include: Biohazard, Vlad The Impaler, Alpha Raptor, Ronin, Minion, Atomic Wedgie, Backlash, Bad Attitude and El Diablo
  • Bots made into Grip N' Grapplers include: Toro, Ziggo, DieSector, TazBot, Grendel, Mauler 5150, Frenzy, Blendo, and Deadblow

Similarly, McDonald's released Happy Meal BattleBots toys from April 26 to May 23 2002.

Personalities


External links

Radio-controlled boat

A radio-controlled boat is a boat controlled remotely with radio control equipment.

Types

Sport

Sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst hobbyists.

Scale

Large scale model warships in San Diego
Large scale model warships in San Diego

Scale boats are replicas of full-size boats. They can be small enough to fit into your hand, or large, trailer-transported models weighing hundreds of pounds. More often than not they are a miniaturized version of a prototype, built using plans and/or photos, although there are variants of the hobby that utilize freelance designs. Another offshoot of this hobby is radio-controlled submarines.

Sailboats

Sailboats use the power of the wind acting on sails to propel the boat. Model sailboats are typically controlled via a multi-channel radio transmitter in the hands of the operator with a corresponding receiver in the boat. By changing the position of the two joysticks on the transmitter signals are sent over two separate channels on a single radio frequency (assigned to the individual boat/operator). On the boat, the radio receiver is connected to two battery powered electric motors or [[servo]s. Signals from the radio transmitter are interpreted by the radio receiver and translated into instructions to change the position of the servos. One servo controls the position of both main and jib sails together (allowing the sails to be trimmed), the other the position of the rudder (allowing the boat to be steered).

Racing Sailboats

Racing model sail boats is governed by the same ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Racing Rules of Sailing that are used for full sized crewed sailing boats (with the inclusion of Appendix E, that introduces special ruls to govern the radio-controlled sport).

There are four international classes of radio sailing boats recognized by the ISAF-Radio Sailing Division: (from smallest to largest).

The IOM class rules specify a monohull of maximum length 1000 mm, with maximum draught 420 mm. There is a minimum weight of 4000 g, which makes homebuilding of competitive boats possible. The IOM has three one-design rigs. To keep costs down, hull materials are restricted to either wood or glassfiber, while masts and booms are restricted to either aluminium or wood.

  • International Marblehead (M)
    • Maximum length: 1290 mm
    • Maximum draught: ca 700 mm

Up to six rigs are allowed, the tallest being about 2200 mm.

  • International Ten Rater (10R)
  • International A Class (A), the largest of the international radio sailing classes.

Power boats

Power boats are typically electric or internal combustion, (ignition engine or glow plug R/C engine based) and some are steam powered (conventional type, and also flash steam). (At one time some boats used engines working on the compression ignition principle. These were not diesels in the true sense of the word but the modelling fraternity frequently referred to them as such. A few enthusiasts still operate such engines.) The power is commonly used to rotate a submerged propeller, aircraft propeller or jet which in turn provide the thrust to move the craft. Typically power boats have two controls, rudder, outboard motor or stern drive and throttle control. Powered scale boats will often have additional remote controlled functions to improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing boats may also have additional remote controlled functions. These may include remote mixture control allowing the driver to optimise the fuel/air mixture during a race. Another function occasionally implemented for racing boats using a surface piercing propellor is remote control of depth or angle of thrust. There are three main types of power boat. RTR(ready-to-run), ARTR(almost-ready-to-run), and kit versions are available. All thoroughbred racing boats are made from kits and the builders add their own gear and radio.

Racing Power Boats

Radio controlled racing boats are designed for maximum speed and maneuverability. Various syles of racing include circuits of different shapes laid out on the water with bouys. Some enthusiasts race in the sea controlling their craft from a pursuing boat known as a "chase boat". These courses will usually be a few miles long and the competition is judged against the clock to find the fastest in class. Within the various styles of racing there will be a number of classes depending upon engine size and type.

Combat

A competitive offshoot of the radio control model warships hobby that involves the firing of projectiles, usually propelled by gas, at opposing ships to sink or damage them. Models are usually simplified to facilitate repair.

Tugboats

2005 Bellevue,WA Regatta, Gary King's Tiger Sun in the starting dock.
2005 Bellevue,WA Regatta, Gary King's Tiger Sun in the starting dock.

Scale model tug boats are often built to include scale drive systems. Standard propellers and rudder(s), Becker rudder, Kort nozzles, steerable kort nozzles, Schottel, Z-drives or Voith-Schneider cycloidial drives. Clubs will often host maneuvering competitions where participants are tasked to run their boats in the most scale possible manner. This is can be judged with and without a "tow" or barge attached.

Models of Tugboats were often used for filming on three shows. TUGS, Thomas & Friends and Theodore Tugboat in which they had moving eyes and as for TUGS moving heads. As for Thomas and Friends there are no faces.

External links