ROBOTICS

Design, Build, and Program Robots!

People have a certain interest in robotics and it is increasing potentially. To make the new generation more curious and passionate about robots, several competitions have been held in different countries around the globe.

Infomatrix invites the best minds from around the world to compete in Robotics category.

Infomatrix 2012 will have 2 subcategories for Robotics; Sumo Robot and Line Follower

Sumo Robot Details:

Two self controlled robots compete and try to push their competitor off the field.

The field is round and the interior surface is painted black and is bordered with a white margin.

In each competition two robots compete. One competition consists of three rounds. If there is a lack of time the matches can be shortened to one round instead of three.

Robot Placement:

A cross in the middle divides the sumo ring into 4 quadrants. Robots are always placed in 2 opposing quadrants. Each robot points in the opposite direction like indicated by arrows on the cross. The robots can be placed anywhere within the quadrant. The cross will be removed by the referee after positioning of the robots. After placing, the robot may not be moved anymore.

After the two robots have been placed, the referee gives a starting signal. Then the competitors are allowed to push the starting buttons of their robots. This is the last exterior intervention till the end of the game. The robots then have to wait exactly 5 seconds, before they start fighting. An early start counts as a false start and is assessed with a warning or in case of a repetition with a round loss.

The aim of this competition is to find the other robot and push him off the field. A robot is out of the field as soon as he touches the floor outside of the field (height of fall is only a few centimetres). Hardware and competition tactics may not be geared to damage the competitor ("fair play"). If both robots are still in the field after 3 minutes, the game ends with a draw (Time-out).

The base of the robots may not exceed the specified dimensions (see table below) at the start of the game. After the start robots are allowed to "extend" themselves, e.g. extend ramps or wedges or enlarge their base to stabilize. The whole weight of the robot may not exceed the specified weight (see table below).

Any weapons and actuators that could harm the competitor or the audience as well as equipment which sole purpose is the disturbance of the competitor is strictly forbidden (e.g. pliers, cannons, catapults, chain saws, cut-off wheels, blinding devices, etc.). Equipment which anchors the robot into the ground is forbidden as well (e.g. glue, vacuum suckers, wheel-away rubber stoppers, suckers etc.).

Mini Sumo Robot dimensions:

height: Unlimited
width: 10 cm.
length: 10 cm.
weight: 500 g.

Ring Dimensions
Diameter: 77 cm.
Border: 2,5 cm.

Line Follower Rules

Name of Event: Line Follower
Number of Robots per Event: One or two
Length of Event: 3 minutes maximum
Robot Weight Range: Any
Robot Dimensions: maximum 30 cm wide
Short Description: The objective of this contest is to complete the course in the shortest period of time while accurately tracking the course line from start to finish.  

1. General Requirements

1.1.  Size and Weight Limits

Dimensional and weight limits for robots shall be strictly enforced. Robots must have passed inspection prior to competing.

1.2.  Course Time

Time is measured from the start signal until the time it crosses the finish line. A robot is deemed to have crossed the line when the forward most part of the robot contacts or crosses over the line.

1.3.  Time Limit

A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed for a robot to complete the course. A robot that cannot complete the course in the allotted time shall be disqualified.

1.4.  Timekeeping

Time shall be measured by an electronic gate system or by a judge with a stopwatch, based on the availability of equipment. In either case the recorded time shall be final.

1.5.  Autonomous Control

Once a robot has crossed the starting line it must remain fully autonomous, or it will be disqualified.

1.6.  Arena Edges

A robot that wanders off of the arena surface will be disqualified. A robot shall be deemed to have left the arena when any wheel, leg, or track has moved completely off the arena surface.

1.7.  Losing the Line

Any robot that loses the line course must reacquire the line at the point where it was lost, or at any earlier (e.g. already traversed) point.

1.8.  Course Specifications

The line following course shall traverse a white rectangle. The line shall be black, 15 mm

wide.  There shall be a starting area at the beginning of the course and an exit area at the

end. The line course starts inside the starting area and ends inside the exit area. The start

and end points of the line course shall be clearly marked via a transverse line. There shall

be a 10 cm gap in the starting and finishing lines where the line course passes through

them. 

Characteristics of the line course:

A.  There shall be no crossovers (e.g. places where the line crosses itself)

B.  Switchbacks and hairpins are possible, but the adjacent sections of the line shall be no closer together than 15cm when measured from the center of each line.

C.  The closest approach of the line course to the edges of the arena shall be no less than 15cm, measured from the center of the line.

D.  The minimal curve radius is 15 cm.

E.  Sharp angles may occur, but will not be smaller than 90 degrees.

 

1.9.  Power of Officials

The decisions of all officials regarding these rules and the conduct of the event shall be

final.

Note:

All rules subject to change without notice.

This category is open for all students: high school and university

Useful Links:
How to make a robot tutorial
www.robotshop.com
www.robotroom.com