Download Rob Robo Rage Competition Rules “Swarm”

2015
Rob
Robo Rage Competition Rules
“Swarm”
OVERVIEW
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Tech CarniVOL and University of
Tennessee ASME presents Robo Rage, a tournament-style robotics
competition that encourages head-to-head conflict among competitor
robots. In our first ever competition, “Swarm”, a horde of Hex Bug Nano’s
has been unleashed on campus. We’re looking for the team who can deploy
the most effective robot for the capture and containment of the swarm.
Prove that you’re the best – especially if it involves pushing, shoving, and
the opponent robot or releasing their catch of Hex Bugs when they’re not
looking.
THE PLAYING FIELD
The swarm is released into an 8’ x 4’ plywood playing surface, with walls
made of 2 by 4 lumber to contain the Hex Bugs and robots. Two capture
bins are located at the ends of the playing field, one for each team’s robot to
deposit their Hex Bugs into. The capture bin features mechanism that
allows a robot to release the opponent’s captive Hex Bugs. A designated
starting zone is located adjacent to each capture bin. Each robot must start
from within their respective starting zones at the beginning of the round.
Some Hex Bugs will be sheltered under various objects scattered randomly
around the playing field, such as cups, bowls, or Frisbees. Robots can
overturn these objects to release the Hex Bugs, making them available for
capture.
Starting Zone
Capture
Bin
Capture Bin
Capture
Bin
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The bottom surface of a the capture bin is connected to the wall of the
playing field by spring-loaded hinges that will require no more than 5
pounds of force applied at the outer edge to actuate.
Closed
Open
Starting zones will be constructed by applying visible markings to the
playing surface that are not intended to interfere with robot movement,
such as paint or tape.
Various brackets, hinges, springs, fasteners, and other small components or
adhesives may be used to help construct the playing field and capture bins.
The playing field will be constructed such that interactions between these
components and robots or Hex Bugs is minimal.
Flexible lining may added to the capture bin to prevent hex bugs from
entering “pinch points” or becoming trapped under the capture bin.
The plywood playing surface may be lightly sanded or painted to minimize
any impedance to Hex Bug movement.
Competition organizers will construct the playing field as closely as possible
to the provided specifications, but some discrepancy should be expected.
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Selected playing field approximate dimensions are provided below. (Inches)
Capture Bins
Starting Zones
Capture
Bin
GAME RULES
All robots will be impounded one hour before the start of competition for
safety and rule compliance inspections.
Teams whose robots are found to have minor non-compliances will have an
opportunity make corrections before competition. Judges will observe the
activity to ensure that only the specified non-compliance is addressed. No
other work on the robot may be conducted.
Teams will be able to access their robots 5 minutes before the beginning of
their round to prepare the robot for competition. This includes activity such
as installing batteries, powering on, and testing functionality. A judge will
oversee preparation activity to ensure no safety or rule violations occur.
Robots must be placed within their team’s starting zone before the round
begins. Once the round begins, no contact can be made with the robots, hex
bugs, or playing field until the end of the round.
Once the round begins, competitors may carry out any strategy to locate
and capture hex bugs, or interfere with the competitor robot by means
within the rules.
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If a robot is knocked out of the playing field by its competitor, it may be
placed back into its respective starting zone to resume play.
A team may only interfere with their competitor by means of robot
weaponry outlined in the Robot Specifications. Jamming wireless
connections between a competitor’s controller transmitter and robot
receiver is an example of unacceptable interference.
Robots entered in this competition are subject to being damaged by another
competitor’s robot. No reimbursement will be made to repair a damaged
robot.
Intentional destruction of the playing field, hex bugs, or other course
features may result in disqualification. Normal wear and tear is expected.
Safety glasses must be worn by anyone working on robots, closely observing
work on robots, or standing near the course during competition rounds.
Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in penalties or disqualification as
deemed appropriate by judges.
Additional rules and clarifications may be added on the official Q&A forum
in the weeks leading up to competition.
The organizers of the competition are not responsible for any injuries or
destruction of property that may occur in preparation for this competition,
such as injuries sustained during robot fabrication. Always follow safe
practices when working with fabrication machinery and electrical
components.
Judges reserve the right to take any corrective action, up to and including
disqualification, deemed appropriate in response to any activity that
jeopardizes the safety, fairness, or integrity of the competition. This
includes such activities that are not necessarily listed in the above rules.
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SCORING
Only the hex bugs that are present in a team’s capture bin upon expiration
of the 5 minute round will be used to calculate that team’s score. The hex
bugs must be undamaged to be counted. A hex bug that runs out of battery
power during the round may still count. Hex Bugs that were released from a
capture bin by an opponent during the round are not counted in the final
score.
Hex Bug Nano’s that begin the round roaming freely around the playing
field are known as Drones and are worth 1 point each.
Hex Bug Nano’s that begin the round sheltered under obstacles, such as
cups or Frisbees, are known as Soldiers and are worth 3 points each.
The different Hex Bug Nano types will be visually differentiable from one
another, by added markings or overall coloration.
A single Hex Bug Larva, known as the Queen may be found on the playing
field and is worth 10 Points.
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The team with the highest score wins the round and advances in the
tournament bracket.
Example Score:
9 Drones, 4 Soldiers, and 1 Queen are captive at the end of the round:
(9) × 1𝑝𝑡𝑠 + (4) × 3𝑝𝑡𝑠 + (1) × 10𝑝𝑡𝑠 = 31 𝑝𝑡𝑠
In addition to the main competition, special awards are available for
winners in the following categories:
 Lightest Weight Robot
o Robots will be weighed before competing. No modifications can
be made after weigh-in.
 Smallest Battery Used
o Measured by nominal voltage × mAh rating as indicated by
manufacturer-provided label.
 Highest Quality Manufacturing and Design
o This will be decided by Judges
o Commercially purchased systems are not eligible
For a robot to be considered for any special awards, it must survive at least
one full 5-minute round (remaining operational with available battery
power), and must have captured at least 1 hex bug during this round
(regardless of whether it was released by the opponent).
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ROBOT SPECIFICATIONS
Robots must be able to fit within a 12” x 12” x 12” cube. This is the
orientation in which the robots must be placed into the starting zones and
remain until the start of the round. Any expansion beyond these
dimensions that occurs after the beginning of the round must be completed
under the robot’s own power.
Teams may choose to purchase commercially available robots, toys, or kits,
and may choose to modify or not to modify these devices as the team sees
fit for succeeding in the competition. Such devices must comply with all
other rules and specifications.
Robots must be constructed of “normal” engineering materials such as
wood, metals, and plastics. Materials such as toxic heavy metals, hazardous
chemicals, or radioactive substances are not permitted. Judges reserve the
right to disqualify any team on the basis of questionable robot construction
material choice, not limited to examples given in this list.
Robots may not be powered by combustion, hydraulics, pneumatics, or any
other system deemed unsafe by judges. Small battery powered electric
motors and actuators are the preferred method of powering the robot.
Elastic power is also acceptable. Judges may disqualify any team on the
basis of dangerously overpowered energy systems, such as high voltage or
current electrical systems, or potentially dangerous levels of stored elastic
energy.
Robot weapon systems may be designed only with the intent of physically
pushing, ramming, grasping, or flipping the opponent. Use of the following
robot weaponry will result in qualification:
Rotary
Projectile
Fluid
Entanglement
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Cutting
Puncturing
Extreme temperature
Flame
Explosives
Electrical
Radioactive
Judges reserve the right to deem robot weaponry unsafe to robot operators
and audience, and bystanders, potentially resulting in disqualification.
Robots must be constructed such that potentially hazardous components
are well-protected from damage. For example, batteries must be mounted
such that they are protected from potential crushing or puncturing;
electrical circuitry must be sufficiently insulated to prevent arcing.
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