Aegis (BattleBots)

## Overview

**Aegis** was a heavyweight robot built by **Team Phalanx** which competed in Discovery Season 5 of the *BattleBots* reboot.

It was a ovular, four-wheel drive robot armed with a pneumatic flipping arm and designed to resemble a warrior's shield. Despite its low profile, Aegis measured approximately four feet long and three feet wide. The team opted to armor the robot in Kevlar 29, a heat-resistant synthetic fiber. In order to shape the Kevlar, one of the team's sponsors Owings Patterns manufactured a wooden mold for the fiber to form around. Team Phalanx claimed their unique approach would be as strong as more traditional materials such as AR400 and AR500 steel at just a fraction of the weight.

To reinforce the flipping arm, aluminum and steel was also used in the construction of Aegis. The flipper on Aegis had a very limited range of motion compared to robots such as Bronco and Hydra, who the team cited as inspiration for creating a flipper bot. According to Team Phalanx, the weapon could reach approximately 10.5" in 100ms and produce 6000lbs of force. Though unproven at the time of answering, team member Andrew Godfrey claimed Aegis would likely be able to self-right if overturned.

"*We should be able to do a low powered actuation of the flipper to chuck Aegis back on to its wheels. Haven't quite gotten to test that yet but it's definitely on our to do list haha*"
— Andrew Godfrey on whether Aegis would be able to right itself if flipped.
The name derives from the device carried by Zeus and Athena in Greek mythology, often featuring animal skin and the head of a Gorgon, and sometimes being represented as a shield. This ties into the team's theme, as they would often sport Greek-inspired costumes made from everyday materials as they entered the box, as well as carry Aegis on a large wooden chariot bearing names of supporters for their GoFundMe page. In modern English, the word "aegis" can be used to describe how something is protected or supported by someone or something else.

The bot was originally called Tiger King, with CAD even produced in this guise dating to the original filming dates for the 2020 season, prior to its postponement. However, the Aegis name and theme stuck going into Discovery Season 5. Earlier renditions of Aegis' CAD sported a glossier finish on the armor, though this was not incorporated into the finished bot.

Aegis struggled in its debut season, with its first and only loss in the Fight Night rounds coming to Fusion. The team's theory defending their use of Kevlar armor was quickly debunked as it was torn apart in its opening battle. Due to the damage inflicted after this, Aegis was unable to compete in any further Fight Night battles, though returned with a new look in *BattleBots: Bounty Hunters*. It sported minimal, makeshift armor comprised of a painted car tire, and was unofficially dubbed **Zombie Aegis** by fans. In both matches, its weapon was largely ineffective and its drive struggled too, likely down to the incredibly complex chain reduction on its motors. However, the team become well-known for their unique way of transporting their robot - a large wooden chariot adorned with the team's sponsors.

Team Phalanx and Aegis did not return for Discovery Season 6.

## Design

Aegis is a yellow, dome shaped robot. For weaponry, Aegis is armed with a flipper and is designed to resemble a warrior's shield, in both its shape and aesthetics with the red V-shaped line. The team also chose to armor the robot in Kevlar, stating it to be as strong as other materials at a fraction of the weight. Unfortunately, this plan didn't work as it was torn apart by Fusion and rendered unusable for its fight against Bloodsport. After being completely ripped apart, Aegis entered into Bounty hunters with new side armor made out of rubber tire tread, unfortunately this version hardly worked whatsoever.

## Robot History

### BattleBots World Championship V

Aegis' first and only match in their first BattleBots competition was against Team Whyachi's newest bot, Fusion. When the battle started, Fusion was having traction and weapon problems. However, as soon as its weapons began working, Aegis fired its flipper too early, and Fusion was able to avoid being flipped, allowing it to attack with its drum where Aegis went flying. This allowed Fusion to drive underneath and send small fragments flying before Aegis was brought into the path of Fusion's tri-disc, completely tearing off the right side of the armor. After dishing out another massive hit that rolled Aegis over, Aegis stopped moving, and while it was being counted out, Fusion dished out a few more hits before taking the win by KO.

### BattleBots: Bounty Hunters

Aegis somehow managed to get the robot back into semi-working order and fought Bloodsport in the first round of Bounty Hunters for the chance to fight Beta. Due to the damage done by Fusion, the team had to opt for a makeshift look in its second fight, salvaging different various parts to create what was known as "Zombie Aegis". Evidently still feeling the effects of its previous fight, Aegis struggled to drive from the off against Bloodsport, even after their opponent moved them away from the screws. After taking a hit or two, Aegis was only able to drive in circles but without controlled movement, they were in danger of a count out. Aegis frantically fired its flipper in a desperate attempt to avoid a count out, but it was to no avail, giving Bloodsport the win by KO and a spot in the next round.

## Results

* Wins: 0
* Losses: 2

## Trivia

* Aegis actually had plans for a Tiger King themed version of the robot but this idea was shot down.
* Aegis' flipper was not powerful enough to qualify as a flipper under BattleBots weapon rules, so it was categorized as a lifter
* Kevlar has been used on *BattleBots* competitors prior to Aegis, even in the modern era. A notable example is Splatter, the predecessor to 2020 season runner-up Whiplash.
* Aegis entered the *BattleBots* test box with spines protruding from the Kevlar armor, though these were removed prior to its first fight for unknown reasons.
* HUGE's Jonathan Schultz was among the many backers of the team's fundraiser ahead of the season, and in turn got to keep a piece of Kevlar armor from Aegis.