BioHazard

{{short description|Combat robot featured in BattleBots}}

{{other uses|Biohazard (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox combat robot

| name = BioHazard

| image =

| caption =

| alt =

| height = 0.1016

| width =

| depth =

| weight =

| weight_class = heavyweight

| primary_weapon = actuated lifting arm

| secondary_weapons =

| maximum_speed =

| turning_circle =

| ground_clearance =

| power_source =

| team_name =

| team_members = Carlo Bertocchini

| location =

| country_of_origin = United States

| total =

| wins = 32

| losses = 6

| draws =

| concessions =

| notes =

}}

BioHazard is a combat robot built by rocket scientist Carlo Bertocchini.{{Cite news|last=Griscom|first=Amanda|date=18 Jan 2000|title=BattleBot Galactica|work=The Village Voice|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/232216790|id={{ProQuest|232216790}} |via=ProQuest}} It was the most successful robot in the heavyweight division of BattleBots. It is still considered one of the greatest and most successful combat robots of all time. BioHazard's weapon is an electric four-bar lifting arm (technically, an asymmetric linear actuator) used to lift other robots. The lifting arm has been described as a type of shovel,{{Cite web|last=Ybarra|first=Michael J.|date=1998-08-09|title=Cutting-Edge Mayhem as Robots Collide|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-09-ls-11411-story.html|access-date=2021-04-09|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} scoop,{{Cite journal|last=Ogando|first=Joseph|date=23 April 2001|title=Float like a butterfly, sting like a...ROBOT|journal=Design News|location=Manhassett|volume=56|issue=8|pages=56–61|via=ProQuest}} or a forklift mechanism.{{Cite journal|last=Cavanaugh|first=Tim|date=March–April 2000|title=Battle of the brains|journal=ID: The International Design Magazine|volume=47|issue=2|pages=105|via=ProQuest}} For much of its reign, BioHazard was notorious for being difficult to attack and get under due to hinged titanium wedge skirts on all sides and the low profile affected by its {{convert|4.5|inch|cm}} height.{{Cite magazine|last=Platt|first=Charles|date=1 August 1998|title=Die, Robot|language=en-us|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/1998/08/die/|access-date=2021-04-09|issn=1059-1028}} The robot weighs {{convert|208|lb|kg}} and has a surface area of {{convert|3|ft|m}} by {{convert|4|ft|m}}.

It originally competed in the U.S. Robot Wars where it won two heavyweight division titles. It went on to win four BattleBots championships. Overall, it won three out of four seasons on the television show BattleBots on Comedy Central. Its first significant title was won in 1996.{{Cite web|last=Warth|first=Gary|date=2005-11-27|title=Metal of honor: Robot earns a 'weld done' in riveting battle|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-metal-of-honor-robot-earns-a-weld-done-in-2005nov27-story.html|access-date=2021-04-09|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}}

BioHazard returned to competition in the ComBots Cup in 2005.{{Cite news|last=Herredia|first=Christopher|date=13 November 2005|title=Spectators thrilled as robots combat for the ComBots Cup|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Spectators-thrilled-as-robots-2595441.php}} The increased power and development of heavyweight spinner robots prevailed, with BioHazard finishing poorly with one win (a forfeit over Jawbreaker, who was destroyed by Eugene in its first fight) and two losses (one loss to Megabyte in 2:15 by tap out; one forfeit and a final loss to Brutality in 1:21). Paul Ventimiglia, builder of Brutality and later BattleBots champion Bite Force, had given Carlo an extended postponement while Carlo drove BioHazard back to his shop to repair it after its loss to Megabyte. Ventimiglia cited Carlo Bertocchini as the inspiration for his interest in building combat robots.{{fact|date=April 2021}} BioHazard was still heavily damaged by the time of their match and has not competed since. It has however, been granted a place in the Combat Robot Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class and by unanimous selection.{{Cite web |title=The Combat Robot Hall of Fame ® |url=http://runamok.tech/hall_of_fame.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=runamok.tech}}