Competition Procedure

Competition Procedure

• It is the responsibility of the team to inspect the condition of the track and placement of dowels before starting their robot to be certain that everything is in order. Once a team presses or pulls the start mechanism, the run counts as an official trial and may not be done over.
  
  

• The order of testing will be determined by random draw.

• While the preceding team is on the track for a trial, the on-deck team must have their robot on the on-deck table ready to run immediately after the previous team completes their trial. Each team will have one minute to begin a trial after being called.
  
  

• All teams will be called for a trial in a current round before any teams begin the next round of testing.
  
  
• Robot sizes will be tested with the measuring box prior to each team’s first run and in subsequent runs if requested by the judges. Team members will be responsible for placing the measuring box over their robots one at a time.
  
  
• Robot A must start with the golf ball onboard and all wheels or components in contact with the track between the start and finish lines. Portions of Robot A may hang over these lines but the wheels or other components may not touch either the start or finish lines or be outside of the zone between them.
  
  
• Robot A must travel around the track in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above with all points in contact with the track passing on the side of each dowel that the vinyl tape is on as in a slalom race. While Robot A is outside the zone between the finish and start lines, all points of Robot B in contact with the track must remain between the finish and start lines. When any part of Robot A crosses the finish line after the first lap with the golf ball onboard, 15 points will be awarded.
  
  
• After crossing the finish line, Robot A must pass the golf ball to Robot B as in a relay race. Robot B must receive the golf ball with all its wheels or components in contact with the track between the start and finish lines. Portions of the Robot B may hang over these lines but the wheels or other components may not touch either the start or finish lines or be outside of the zone between them.
  
  
• While Robot B is outside the zone between the finish and start lines, all points of Robot A in contact with the track must remain between the finish and start lines. When any part of Robot B crosses the finish line after the second lap with the golf ball onboard, 15 points will be awarded.
  
  
• Steps 6-9 are repeated a second time so that Robot A and Robot B both complete 2 laps for a total of 4 laps.
  
  

• The trial ends if any of the following events occur:

  • A robot’s wheels or other components in contact with the track touch or cross the finish or start lines
    without being in possession of the golf ball.
  • A robot knocks down a dowel or any part of a robot in contact with the track passes on the opposite side of a dowel as the vinyl tape. c. The robot carrying the golf ball is not able to move or drives off the surface of the plywood.
  • Neither robot is in possession of the golf ball.
  • Robot B crosses the finish line on the fourth lap with the golf ball onboard. This is a perfect run.
    
    

• The robot must be capable of completing the tasks without any input from the team. Team members may not operate radio, infrared, ultrasonic, electrical, or other remote controls at any time. Communication between the robots via wireless methods is allowable as long as this communication is autonomous.
  
  

• The robots may operate for a maximum of 120 seconds after the judge gives the command to start.
  
  
• Each team will be allowed to make four trials.
  
  
• Teams may make changes or repairs to their robots between trials but they must be ready within one minute of being called to the track.
  
  
• Teams may not make practice runs during the exhibit session or after the start of the robot testing session.