Not to be confused with Season 4.0 drop-out of the same name. Petunia is a heavyweight robot from The Netherlands built by Team P.C.P. which competed in BattleBots World Championship III and IV.
It is a two-wheeled, wedge-shaped robot armed with a powerful hydraulic crushing claw as its primary weapon, which also acts as a self-righting mechanism. Petunia is partially invertible, capable of driving on its back end, although its claw was rendered ineffective when the robot was inverted, and it had to use its weapon to self-right when it was completely upside-down. Its crushing weapon boasted ten tonnes of crushing force, and crushed into its own wedge for maximum damage output, at the expense of range. As its name suggests, Petunia is designed to resemble a flower, as confirmed in their appearance during BattleBots Resurrection. More specifically, Petunia's name derives from the septic tanker truck seen in the Stephen King novel, Christine.[1]

Petunia during World Championship III hero shots.
In its debut season, Petunia was able to pick up three wins, including a knockout over veteran Brian Nave and Captain Shrederator as well as a victory over future Most Destructive Robot Award winner ROTATOR. However, it was not selected to progress to the tournament bracket.

Petunia during World Championship IV hero shots.
Returning for World Championship IV, Petunia appeared largely the same, though now had rounded edges to the top of the wedge and bolder, aesthetics to clear up any misconception of it looking like a bird, despite previous flower-related introductions from Faruq Tauheed. The team picked up fellow Dutch native and experienced builder Jeroen van Lieverloo, who competed with Reality in World Championship III. Petunia again failed to make the championship bracket, with two of its three wins coming from exhibition matches.
Petunia was originally accepted to return for World Championship V in the initial roster revealed to Facebook Supporters in early 2020. The image presented showed cartoon fire coming from the tip of the beak, suggesting it was to be armed with a flamethrower inside its beak, similar to Mohawk. As proven by a May 2021 weapon test video, this was indeed the case.[2] However, due to international travel restrictions enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Team P.C.P. were forced to withdraw, stating their intention at the time to compete again the following year.[3]
Team P.C.P. reapplied for World Championship VI in 2021, but were ultimately rejected.[4]
In September 2022, the team publicly revealed on Reddit that their application for World Championship VII had been turned down, confirming that Petunia had once again not been selected.[5]
Outside BattleBots[]

PacifieR (top) and Petunia (bottom) pictured together.
The concept of Petunia was originally designed for Series 9 of Robot Wars under the name PacifieR, but later withdrew from the show. It was functionally identical to what became Petunia, but sported a lighter blue on its wedge, which did not quite protect the entire sides of the bot, as well as different illustrations. Team P.C.P. had previously fought in the Dutch series of Robot Wars with vertical spinner PulverizeR, becoming champion of the second series and qualifying for both the European and Third World Championship events as a result. Parallel to the show, an upgraded PulverizeR also competed at three Dutch Robot Games events between 2001 and 2003. It then appeared at the 2005 European Championship and 2006 UK Championship, but only appeared sporadically at live events.
While not a part of Team P.C.P. for the majority of their time in the sport, team member Jeroen van Lieverloo originally competed Dutch Robot Wars with X-Bot and Impact in its first and second seasons respectively, but did not achieve much success. He also competed as a member of three-part multibot √3², which made its heat final before ironically losing to the aforementioned champion PulverizeR. After failing to qualify for Series 7 of Robot Wars with a second version of Impact, Jeroen van Lieverloo became part of fellow Dutch entrant Gravity, which made the semi-finals before losing to reigning champions Tornado.
A month after the team's 2022 rejection, the latest version of Petunia was publicly displayed at the Flanders Expo FACTS convention in Ghent, Belgium, alongside Reality and Toe Kicker. This incarnation, forming a display outside the Dutch Robot Games arena, sported a new interchangeable lifter/crusher nicknamed 'K.E.I.T.H.'.[6] Petunia was again displayed on 25 May, 2024 at a convention hosted by Dutch engineering company HBM Machines.
Robot History[]
World Championship III[] |
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Petunia vs. ROTATOR ![]() Petunia's armor is damaged by the spinning disk of ROTATOR. ![]() Petunia takes ROTATOR to the killsaws. ![]() Petunia fights back against the weaponless ROTATOR. |
Petunia vs. Monsoon ![]() Petunia's hydraulics are damaged. ![]() Monsoon sends Petunia flying through the air. ![]() Monsoon watches on as Petunia is counted out. |
Petunia vs. Captain Shrederator In its third Fight Night match-up, Petunia faced veteran shell spinner Captain Shrederator. ![]() Petunia traps Captain Shrederator against a Screw mount. Petunia immediately drove into the BattleBox center, turning right to follow a rapidly-spinning Captain Shrederator in a circle. A head-to-head exchange allowed it to briefly deflect the Team LOGICOM machine upwards, prompting Captain Shrederator to head to the upper perimeter. Petunia weaved back into Captain Shrederator's weapon, which sent it spinning over a set of Killsaw slots. Retracing its position, it kept chasing Captain Shrederator regardless, weathering more blows from its shell spinner. This pursuit allowed Petunia to box Captain Shrederator between itself and the center-left Screw mount - the resulting deflections sent the latter flying towards the red square, while removing one of its own weapon teeth.
![]() Petunia pushes and pierces an immobile Captain Shrederator. With Captain Shrederator's drive and weapon incapacitated, Petunia nudged and began ramming it against the lower-left Screw. After an unsuccessful attempt, it finally got underneath, clamped and maneuvred Captain Shrederator to the lower-right Pulverizer, while piercing through its top armor.
The Pulverizer slammed down on both competitors' weapons; smoke began pouring as Petunia's beak also punctured one of Captain Shrederator's batteries.
After dragging and pushing Captain Shrederator towards the center, Petunia released the American machine, celebrating a knockout win with a wheelie as its opponent eventually caught fire. With this result, its Fight Night record improved to 2-1.
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Petunia vs. Yeti ![]() Petunia gets tossed onto the screws by Yeti. Petunia was drawn against the previous year's semi-finalist, Yeti. The Dutch machine was off to a poor start as they were quickly thrown onto their back, but was able to right itself. Petunia took another hit that threw it onto its beak, where it momentarily could not escape. In a showing of good sportsmanship, Yeti freed Petunia. However, they had now lost the tip to the crushing beak, rendering it largely ineffective. Petunia continued to fight but was chased down by Yeti's relentless assaults. Petunia was forced to self-right again after being thrown over, but was now only driving in circles. After one last hit, Petunia stopped moving near the screws and was counted out, giving Yeti the win by KO. |
Petunia & Predator vs. Bale Spear & Double Dutch ![]() Petunia grapples with Double Dutch. Petunia also took part in an untelevised 2v2 Tag Team match alongside Craig Danby and Predator, where it faced Bale Spear and Double Dutch. The fight began rather evenly as none of the four robots were able to gain an advantage on their opponents. Petunia then targeted Double Dutch, attempting to clamp down on its top panel as its own weaponry was no longer working. However, attempts to do so led to Petunia lifting its own body arena floor, which made it difficult for it to drive. As the match ran down, Petunia was continuing to fight with Double Dutch as Bale Spear and Predator had stopped moving. Time ran out and the judges awarded 1 point and a unanimous 3-0 decision to The World and Petunia and Predator. |
World Championship IV[] |
Petunia vs. WAR Hawk ![]() Petunia is attacked in front of the drivers' booths. |
Petunia vs. Marvin ![]() Marvin deflects off the front of Petunia. |
Petunia vs. Hydra ![]() Petunia is wedged in place and unable to escape. ![]() Ditto. |
Petunia vs. Valkyrie ![]() Petunia keeps Valkyrie in the corner of the BattleBox. |
Petunia vs. SubZero (Exhibition) ![]() Petunia checks in on an immobile SubZero. |
Petunia vs. BattleSaw vs. Jasper (Exhibition) ![]() Petunia gets to grips with BattleSaw early on. ![]() Petunia drives away as BattleSaw is disposed of. ![]() Petunia then slams Jasper into the arena barrier. |
Results[]
PETUNIA | ||
World Championship III | ||
Fight Nights 2-2 | ||
Fight Night #1 | vs. ROTATOR | Won (JD) |
Fight Night #2 | vs. Monsoon | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night #3 | vs. Captain Shrederator | Won (KO) |
Fight Night #4 | vs. Yeti | Lost (KO) |
USA vs. The World Representing The World | ||
Team Match (with Predator) (Untelevised) | vs. Bale Spear & Double Dutch | Won (JD) |
World Championship IV | ||
Fight Nights 1-3 | ||
Fight Night #1 | vs. WAR Hawk | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night #2 | vs. Marvin | Won (JD) |
Fight Night #3 | vs. Hydra | Lost (KO) |
Fight Night #4 | vs. Valkyrie | Lost (KO) |
NOTE: The battle against Valkyrie was intended for Science Channel, but was ultimately only aired in international broadcasts. | ||
Exhibition Matches 2-0 | ||
Exhibition Match #1 | vs. SubZero | Won (KO) |
Exhibition Match #2 | vs. BattleSaw, Jasper | Won (JD) |
Competitive Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 4
- Losses: 5
Exhibition Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 2
- Losses: 0
Total Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 6
- Losses: 5
Competition | Wins | Losses |
---|---|---|
World Championship III | ROTATOR (Undercard Match) Captain Shrederator (Undercard Match) Double Dutch & Bale Spear (Untelevised USA vs. The World Tag Team with Predator) |
Monsoon (Undercard Match) Yeti (Undercard Match) |
World Championship IV | Marvin (Undercard Match) SubZero (Exhibition Match) Jasper and BattleSaw (Exhibition Rumble) |
WAR Hawk (Undercard Match) Hydra (Undercard Match) Valkyrie (Untelevised Undercard Match) |
Faruq Tauheed Introductions[]
"This bot is all about flower power. It puts the maimin' in the stamen, the metal in the petal. Watch out, it's going in for the chlora-kill. It's PETUNIA!".
"It's a Little Bot of Horrors, inflicting pain and you're about to suddenly see more. Feeeed meeeee. It's PETUNIA!"
"A robot Toucan Slam with a beak that's on fleek and wings that sting. So naturally it's called... PETUNIA?!"
"This bot is crazy as a daisy but definitely not lazy. It's faster than most and will turn you into compost. Get ready to be greenhouse gassed by PETUNIA!"
"If you're a birder who's into murder, then break out the by knocks for this bot. He'll fly into the ring with all sorts of power and yeah, he's also named after a flower, PETUNIA!"
"From the Netherlands, where they ride bikes and build dikes. Amster-damn this bot is doooope! It's PETUNIA!"
"If this Dutch bot was a pop music duo, it would be called Holland Oates. Its crusher is a mean meter, he's a man eater. Whoooa, here she comes! Here to ruin ya, it's PETUNIA!"
"When I hear the words death, destruction, suffering, blood-baths, and carnage, one name comes to mind. PETUNIA!"
"From the Netherlands, here for the flower fans, you better tiptoe around this tulip or it'll crush you and its powerful grip. Say good afternoon-ia to PETUNIA!"
"Excuse me, judges. Can we have separate checks, please? For this fight, we're going Dutch. I'll pay for me and you'll pay with your life. Here to split you in half, it's PETUNIA!"
"The dirty bird from Holland so that makes it Dutch. If there were two of them, would they be called Dutches? Either way, you're gonna need crutches. It's PETUNIA!"
See Also[]
Trivia[]
- Petunia was named after the tanker truck used to defeat the titular antagonist in Stephen King's novel Christine.
- The team's name, P.C.P., stands for Peace, Club, PacifieR.
References[]
- ↑ Public message from Jeroen van Lieverloo in the Out of the Arena Discord server
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=824958875045911
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/150728625604935/posts/723254171685708/?d=n
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/m9sy9n/comment/h5gzhui/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/u793wp/comment/iq18iej/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=594367279025074&set=a.207908321004307
[]
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