Updated, July 14: The BBC has announced that the new series of Robot Wars will begin on on Sunday, July 24 at 8pm on BBC2. The six-part series will be hosted by Dara Ó Briain and Angela Scanlon, with the BBC promising even bigger arenas and more powerful robots than the late '90s original.
The BBC has also detailed some of the technical specs of the new and improved house robots. Shunt now weighs 300kg and 300psi pneumatic scoop and a titanium tipped axe; Dead Metal weighs 370kg, has 1.4m-wide pincers, and a 4000rpm circular saw; Matilda is "three times" heavier than before, and features 800psi tusks that can flip opponents weighing over a tonne; and the legend that is Sir Killalot weighs in at 750kg, is twice as fast, and features a crushing claw that exerts 2.4 tonnes of pressure.
Given the decade since the original Robot Wars launched and all the tech advancements since, upgrading the house robots was probably a wise decision.
Original story
While there's no denying that today's hyper-produced, relentlessly gritty television shows are immensely entertaining, we're sorely lacking in the rough-around-the-edges, do-it-yourself attitude of British TV in '90s. Knightmare, The Crystal Maze, Scrapheap Challenge. These were the shows that kept us entertained while tucking into our afternoon tea, Wagon Wheel in one hand, sticky jam-covered remote in the other.
So it's with much nostalgic joy I'm happy to report that the BBC is rebooting perhaps the greatest, and nerdiest, of all the '90s TV shows: Robot Wars. The iconic show is returning after a 10-year hiatus with six one-hour episodes on BBC2, featuring a "new structure" and "a raft of technological advances" that promise more robots and battles than ever before.
The BBC also says that a new purpose-built fighting arena in Glasgow will allow viewers to "get even closer to the action" thanks to a suite of new cameras.
"Robot Wars is an absolute TV classic and I'm thrilled to be updating it for the next generation of viewers," said BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw. "With new technological advances making for an even more exciting and immersive experience, this is a fantastic example of the kind of content-rich factual entertainment that BBC Two excels at."
For those who missed out on Robot Wars the first time, the show—as its name suggests—sees teams of amateur robot makers put their creations to battle, resulting in all sorts of shrapnel-filled carnage. Unfortunately, there's no word on who'll present the show just yet. The first series was presented by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, but he was swiftly replaced by the far more enthusiastic Craig Charles of Red Dwarf fame.
There's also no word on whether the house robots—which included the propane-powered Sergeant Bash, and claw-and-drill-equipped Sir Killalot—or the many fire-laden traps will make a return. Regardless, those interested in flexing their creative muscles and participating in the next Robot Wars can do so by emailing robotwars@mentorn.tv.
The BBC's reboot of Robot Wars follows the reboot of the US version of the show—called BattleBots—by the ABC network last year. The show was renewed for a second season in November.
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