Robotics

Description + Regulations

Participating students must design, build and program a qualifying robot on their own entirely out of Lego parts. The tournament consists of multiple rounds where two LEGO robot contestants try to push each other out of a circular ring. The first robot to touch the table/floor outside of the ring loses. The last robot remaining in the ring wins.

The competition format will be decided by LEST organizers based upon number of registered participants as well as the amount of time and space available for the competition. Available competition slots will be distributed equally among participating schools with any empty slots filled by those who can field additional teams. At the end of the competition, awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.

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Team Specifications & Rules

• All teams must be pre-registered by the deadline.
• A team may only consist of students from a LEST participating school.
• The number of teams per school and team size will be designated by LEST Organizers based upon the event format, number of registered participants, and space available for the competition.
• A member of one team cannot also be a member of another team.
• Each team must have a designated adult coach responsible for managing the behavior of their team.
• All design, building, and programming must be entirely performed by team members. Parents, coaches or teams observed violating this rule are subject to immediate disqualification at the discretion of tournament officials. All teams must be able to explain their robot design and the operation of their programs.
• Each team will be assigned a pit area.
• Only team members and their coach may be in the pit area.
• There is no food or drink permitted in the pit area.
• No Bluetooth connections may be used at the venue.
• By registering for the tournament, participants agree to follow the Sumobot Event Code of Conduct listed at the end of the rules.

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Playing Field Specifications

• The playing field is a raised circle with the following dimensions:
  • Diameter: 36 inches
  • Border line: 1.25 inches
  • Elevation: 1 1⁄2 inches off the supporting surface
• The surface will be flat BLACK in color.
• The outer borderline of the field will be gloss WHITE in color.
• Starting lines may or may not be used depending upon venue. Starting lines may be two parallel lines centered on the field, or two intersecting lines. If used:
  • Starting lines are RED in color
  • Starting line width: 0.5 inches
  • Starting line length: 4 inches

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Robot Specifications

• The robot must fit inside a 20 cm x 20 cm square box with no height limit.
• The robot's weight limit is 1 Kg.
• The robot must be made ENTIRELY out of LEGO pieces in original factory condition. If piece is questionable, the teams must be able to specify the official Lego ID or Part Number. If not able to do so, the part may not be allowed.
• The robot cannot be held together by any means other than standard LEGO construction methods.
• All parts must be attached to the robot using standard LEGO construction methods.
• A maximum of 1 Control Brick may be used.
• A maximum of 3 motors wired by use of cable to the Control Brick may be used - 2 for locomotion and 1 for an optional weapon or defense.
• Additional motors may be attached to the robot as long as they are not wired by use of cable to the Control Brick.
• There is no limit on the number of sensors used.
• All robot actions must be entirely pre-programmed so that it runs autonomously.
• The use of any form of remote control or Bluetooth connection is prohibited.
• The robot must not include any parts that might damage the playing field.
• The robot may not have any part that attaches the robot to the playing field.

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Programming Requirements

• All programming must be done by the student team members.
• The robot must be programmed to wait five (5) seconds and blink Red or Yellow after the referee starts the game.
• All programs are subject to inspection by tournament officials.

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Match and Game Principles

• A standard match consists of 3 individual games.
• Each game lasts up to 2 minutes each.
• A game that ends with no winner is restarted.
• If after 1 restart there is no winner, a tie is declared for that game.

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Game Procedure

Inspection

• Prior to the start of the tournament, the robot must pass inspection.
• After the initial inspection, robots may be re-inspected at any time during the tournament.
• Robots are required to be re-inspected if physical changes are made during the tournament.
• Robots that fail inspection after the start of a tournament are subject to the following sanctions at the discretion of the officials:
  • disqualification from match with points awarded to their competitor
  • forfeiting all previous points earned
  • disqualification from the tournament

The Game

• Placement:
  • The referee will declare “Place Robots.”
  • The contestants place their robot at the center of the table in contact with each other, or if starting lines are used, separated, touching their respective lines.
  • The robot must be positioned so the initial movement towards the white perimeter is away from their opponent.
  • It is expected that contestants place their robots at the same time; however, if there are disagreements, placement order may be determined by “Rock, Paper, Scissors” or other suitable method at the referee’s discretion.
  • Once placed, the robot may not be moved.
    • If a robot is repositioned after being placed, the referee may issue a warning, or declare a “Fault.”
    • If a Fault is declared, both contestants remove their robots from the play field until directed by the referee to “Place Robots” again.
  • If 2 Faults occur within the same game, a WIN may be awarded to the non-offending contestant and a LOSS to the offending contestant.
  • The referee will declare “Robots Ready.”
• Program Selection
  • Once “Robots Ready” is declared, contestants may select the Launch Program from those available on the Brick.
  • Once selected, teams will signal the referee “Ready”
  • The Referee will declare “Programs Set.”
  • No further program selections may be made.
• Program Activation & Game Start
  • The Referee will countdown “3, 2, 1, GO!”
  • Upon “Go!” the contestants press a single button on the Brick to activate their robot.
  • The game begins five seconds after the referee’s signal.
  • The contestants must exit the playing field during this five second period.
• Game Play
  • The robot must cross the white perimeter of the playing field before touching its competitor or commencing an attack.
  • The game ends when the referee declares the winner, tie, or a restart.
  • The referee’s decision is final. Any questions regarding the decision may only be made by a team member. No video replays will be used for review.
• False Start
  • A “False Start” may be declared under the following conditions:
    • If one or both robots fail to move after the 5 second delay,
    • If the robot touches its competitor or commences an attack before crossing the white perimeter of the playfield.
  • If a False Start is declared, the referee will recommence the game.
  • If 2 False Starts occur within the same game by the same team, a WIN may be awarded to the non- offending contestant and a LOSS to the offending contestant.
• Restart:
  • A game will be stopped and a restart declared under the following conditions:
    • There is no winner upon expiration of the game clock.
    • The robots are locked together in such a way that no more action appears to be possible, i.e. they have rotated in circles without advancing the orbit towards the outer edge.
    • Both robots touch the exterior of the playing field at the same time.
    • Any other condition under which the referee determines no winner.
  • If a restart is declared, no maintenance or repair of a robot is permitted.
  • Unless a tie is declared, Robots must be immediately returned to the playing field for a new starting procedure.

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Win & Loss

• One (1) point is awarded for a WIN. No (0) points are awarded for a TIE or a LOSS.
• The following conditions define a WIN:

1. When a robot ejects an opponent from the playing field with a fair action.
   • The robot is considered ejected the moment ANY part of the robot touches the exterior supporting surface of the playing field.
   • A robot hanging over the edge of the playing field or only touching any part of the cylindrical side of the playing field is not considered ejected, and the robot is still in play.
   • During the game, pieces that physically detach or disconnect from the robot are no longer part of the robot.
2. When the opponent’s robot leaves the field on its own for any reason.
3. Disabled Robot:
   • When the opponent’s robot stops moving for more than 30 seconds before the game clock expires.
   • A robot may be “saved by the bell” if the game clock expires before the end of the 30 seconds.
   • A disabled robot may still win the game if their opponent is ejected from the field or leaves the play field on its own.
4. If two FAULTS are declared by the referee within the same game and team
5. If two FALSE STARTS are declared by the referee within the same and team
6. If the opponent’s operator or teammate interferes with robot or playing field

• A Tie will be declared if there is no winner after one restart.

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Conduct Violations:

• Contestants who take any of the following actions will be disqualified from the game:

1. A contestant does not attend the appointed playing field when called at the beginning of the game.
2. A contestant does not exit the playing area upon start of a game.
3. A contestant interferes with or disrupts the game, such as by intentionally breaking, damaging, or defacing the playing field.
4. A contestant’s robot does not meet the robot specifications.
5. A contestant displays unsportsmanlike behavior as determined by a tournament official.

• Egregious violations of the Sumobot Event Code of Conduct may result in disqualification at the discretion of tournament officials.

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The Sumobot Event Code of Conduct

1. Be kind and courteous to one another.
2. Be friendly to those around you.
3. Be willing to work with others.
4. Be willing to share your experience with others.
5. Be willing to help those who are struggling - even your competitors.
6. Be willing to take turns with others.
7. Be willing to explore different ideas.
8. Be willing to try new things – especially if it seems hard.
9. Be willing to embrace your failures.
10. Always take care of your equipment.
11. Do not interfere with another team’s work.
12. Do not tamper with another’s design without permission.
13. Do not alter another’s program without permission.
14. Do not exclude others from your group or team.
15. Have fun!!