Robotics
Design. Build. Program.
Note: Each category will run only if there are at least 5 teams present in the world final.
People have a certain interest in robotics and it is increasing considerably. 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 has 7 subcategories for Robotics. To learn about each of these please click on the tabs below.
Flying drones have to complete the jogging track around the soccer field. Drones must demonstrate their ability to maneuver quickly and accurately in the area.
General Requirements
1.1 Field Dimensions
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The field is at least 60 m long, 30 m wide and 6 m height.
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Two orange poles are placed in the field at least 40 m apart.
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As a navigational aid there is running trace on the floor.
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There are 4 gates to get through in it.
2. Requirements for Drones
2.1. General Drone Specifications
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Drones must be an aerial vehicle, which is able to fly in a height of 1 – 3 m.
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Aerial vehicles include fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft (multicopter). ONLY MULTICOPTER DESIGN, NO FLYING WING.
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Aircraft design must be an X shaped design with an diameter length between the motors of no more than 200mm.
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Infomatrix Drone Race requires that all competing aircrafts are battery powered, rotor propelled, and pilot controlled via first-person-view (FPV). Craft Size & Specifications; 5 inch diameter maximum propeller size, 4S(4cells) maximum LiPo battery, maximum 4.2 volts per cell Must be capable of up to 3-2 minute race durations Up to 200mm 4 motors; 22XX or 23XX stator size brushless motors
2.2. Class Specifications
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Drones can be VR control.
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Navigational aids can be used on the jogging track.
2.3. Security and Safety
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Failure to comply with the security and safety rules, will lead to disqualification of the team and grounding of all the team’s drones for the remainder of the event.
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Only electric propulsion drones are allowed to participate in the competition.
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Drones must be clearly identified with the starting number as obtained during the registration.
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Drones may not have sharp or potentially dangerous parts, excluding normal propellers and helicopter-blades.
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A human safety pilot must be able to take over control of the drone at any time in case of an emergency.
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Entrance to the flight area is only permitted for one team member of the scheduled team after clearance by the judge.
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Teams must always follow the instructions of the judge.
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The judge can abort every flight.
2.4. Homologation
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All participating drones are allowed to compete only after passing the homologation. This check will be performed before the first flight and covers all points listed below.
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The ability to safely control the drone has to be shown by the team member who will operate the drone during the competition (pilot).
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Drones must comply with all security and safety requirements.
Race
3.1. Aim of the Race
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Drone has to complete the jogging track around two poles passing through gates as soon as possible.
3.2. Start of the Race
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Each team is allocated a preparation time slot of 5 minutes. During the preparation time one team member (Drone operator) is allowed to enter the race area in order to prepare for the start.
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When preparation is finished or the 5 minutes preparation time is over the judge starts flight time and pilot can start drone.
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The start has to be performed at the starting line.
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During the flight the drone operator has to leave the race area for safety reasons.
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Teams are permitted to carry an unlimited number of spare aircraft for qualifying and elimination. However, all aircraft must be registered with the Race Director, before Round 1 of qualifying.
3.3. Restart
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A flight ends when the drone operator decides to abort the flight.
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Only 2 starts are allowed during the flying time. The drone operator may re-enter the race area after the judge’s clearance and restart drone.
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During the flight the drone operator has to leave the race area for safety reasons.
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If the weather is exceptionally bad the race director may choose to abort the start and resume the starting procedure only when conditions have improved.
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In the event of a fall start, it will try one more time. If it happens again, it can try to flight but time will be running.
3.4. End of the Race
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The race finishes when the drone completes the track or when the judge aborts it.
PENALTIES & PILOT PROTOCOL
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Pilots must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not deliberately leave the track. In the event of such behavior, the pilot will be immediately disqualified for that lap.
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If a pilot is caught flying an aircraft, that was not registered prior to qualifying, he or she will be totally disqualified from the competition.
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If a pilot has a problem immediately prior to the start he or she will have the full 2 minutes of preparation time to resolve the issue. If the pilot cannot resolve the issue, within the allotted preparation time, he or she will be disqualified from that round.
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Pilots must sign the declaration contract on check-in day.
Scoring
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Drone has to complete jogging track around the soccer field in the correct way as shown in Fig.1.
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For missing each gate, pilots are penalized 10 seconds.
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The elapsed time obtained during one continuous flight counts.
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Flight time is recorded finally after 3 laps.
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Each drone runs the course alone. Shortest elapsed time wins.
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Pilots must complete the 3-lap race track to record an Elapse Time.
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Time is measured from the start signal until the time it crosses the finish line.
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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.
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Final qualifying positions are determined by the best elapsed time (E.T.), from 4 qualifying rounds.
Declaring Objections
5.1. Declaring Objections
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No objections shall be declared against the judges’ decisions.
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The lead person of a team can present objections to the Committee, before the match is over, if there are any doubts in the exercising of these rules. If there are no Committee members present, the objection can be presented to the judge before the match is over.
Flexibility of Rules
As long as the concept and fundamentals of the rules are observed, these rules shall be flexible enough to encompass the changes in the number of players and of the contents of matches. Modifications or abolition of the rules can be made by the local event organisers as long as they are published prior to the event, and are consistently maintained throughout the event.
Liability
- Participating teams are always responsible for the safety of their drones and are liable for any accidents caused by their team members or their drones.
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Infomatrix organisation and the organising team members will never be held responsible nor liable for any incidents and / or accidents caused by participating teams or their equipment.
Field : 32m x 60m Fence height:6m
Note: All rules are subject to change without notice.
The robot has one main task, collecting cubes to place them on specific platforms based on color, in order to earn points. There is a total of 12 cubes placed at three different heights, 2 cubes are placed on the ground level at height 0 mm, 2 cubes placed on a platform at height 30 mm and 8 cubes are placed on 4 different platforms (each platform having exactly 2 cubes) at height 50 mm. There are four zones designated for scoring. Each zone has a specific color (red, green, blue and yellow), a platform of 100 mm in height and a grey border around the platform. The playing field also displays a ball (standard ball provided by LEGO MindStorms development kit) which can be placed on the designated ring. Each team will have 3 minutes to complete the mission. There will be a total of 4 rounds over the course of 2 days, 2 rounds per day. The scores obtained in the 4 rounds will be added together to give the total and final score of the team. The scores from each team will be compared to determine the team with the highest score, which will be the winner.
The platforms will be made from LEGO pieces. The ring is designed to hold the ball, not to let it through. Picking up and placing the ball is optional. This objective is a risk – reward option. Teams can choose to pick up the ball, receiving a penalty of 20 pts – the risk and getting the opportunity to place the ball on the ring to earn a bonus of 100 pts – the reward. All the measurements can be found in the mission video.
Robot Build Rules Development kit
LEGO Mindstorms only.
Size: 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm
Bricks: Up to 2 bricks
Motors: Up to 8 DC motors and 8 servo motors.
Software: Any programming software allowed.
Control: The robot must be autonomous, no remote control allowed.
Scoring
Each cube scored while not touching the grey border will earn 25 pts. Each cube scored while on the grey border will earn 10 pts. Each cube picked up by the robot from height 0 mm will earn 2 pts. Each cube picked up by the robot from height 30 mm will earn 3 pts. Each cube picked up by the robot from height 50 mm will earn 7 pts. Picking up the ball will cause a penalty of 20 pts. Placing the ball on the ring will earn 100 pts. Scoring the cube on the wrong platform will cause a penalty of 10 pts. At the end of the match, if all of the cubes are placed on the correct platforms, the robot will earn 2 pts per 5 sec. remaining – regardless if the ball is scored or not.
Notes
LEGO Mindstorms motors are servo motors. LEGO robots will have standard batteries or adapter in bricks.
The competition involves a robot that is able to handle into a maze. The contest will work by the system 2 robots enter the maze and only one goes out.
Teams of one or more members are allowed. One team can operate only 1 robot. If you are called to play and you don’t come in 5 minutes the robot is disqualified.
Robot characteristics
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The robot must be completely autonomous. It is accepted any design that does not fall within the limitations from chapter. The team which implements the robot can choose any material and any form of control mechanism as long as it does not interfere with an external control mechanism.
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Maximum size: 10×10 cm, there is no weight limit.
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The robots must be equipped with the Start/Stop sensor in order to simultaneously start the robots.
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It is recommended for the robot to have modulated or filtered sensors to not be influenced by ambient light, reflectors or flashes of digital cameras – Organisers do not assume any liability for malfunctioning robots due to environmental light (ambient, flash lamp, IR lamp for recording cameras).
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The robots must display a number, provided by the organisers, on the outer casing of the robot in a visible place. The number is used to identify the robot by the referee and can be found in the Team’s Folder.
Robot limitations
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For safety reasons the robot must be equipped with an IR kill switch to be operated by the judge. When the judge sends a kill signal the power to the motors shall be shut down. Each team will participate with its own kill switch(remote).
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It is mandatory that the IR start module to function and the responsibility for is entirely of the team. If the module is not on the robot or is not working the team will be disqualified from the competition. If a problem occurs with the module during a fight it is recommended and allowed to be replaced. During the homologation and in the matches the module must function properly.
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Jamming devices, such as IR LEDs intended to saturate the opponents IR sensors, are not allowed.
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Devices that can store liquid, powder, gas or other substances for throwing at the opponent are not allowed.
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Any flaming devices are not allowed.
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Devices that throw things at your opponent are not allowed.
Game Area
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The game area is defined as a mat white wooden rectangle having dimensions of 2800 mm x 3000 mm or 2800 mm x 2000 mm. On this rectangle stays a maze with two starting points and only one exit point. The maze has the walls with 15 cm height.
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The distance between walls is 30 cm and gates 30 cm.
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There will be dead ends that robots may encounter along the way.
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The two starting points will be similar and separate and at one point the route will be common.
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The maze walls will be white or a bright colour.
Competition course
Important: One person can be operator for maximum 1 robot.
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The contest will be played in a system of groups/ quarters/semifinals/finals order to allow as many rounds as possible for each robot. Each match will be supervised by 3 referees (one main referee and two assistants). The referee’s decisions have to be unanimous and are final and any objecting them may lead to their disqualification from the current match. After each match the team will take the robot to the specified place.
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During the competition, a team has the right at 2 breaks for reprogramming during matches of 5 minute each (2 breaks throughout the competition). Other breaks are allowed only for mechanical problems and only with referee’s approval, each of maximum 5 minutes. This rule is applied only during a match course. Outside the matches changes and reprogramming are allowed. Teams are required to be present at the start up in maximum 5 minute from the moment the request has been received, otherwise they will lose the match.
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Until the homologation, all the teams will stay in the room reserved for them. Each challenge will have a room. The teams can leave the room only when they are called to the competition area. Each team will be called by a competition official, when they need to go to the waiting area which is near the competition area.
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After the homologation the teams, which will follow at start, will remain at the competition area, in the waiting area. The teams will leave this area only if the referee agrees, or only for repairs and they must return in the time set by the referee. If the team doesn’t return at the first call they will lose the match.
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After a match is over, the teams must return in the room reserved for them.
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Each team has the responsibility to follow the starting grid, displayed on the website and in the team’s room. If you are called to play and you don’t come in 5 minutes the robot is disqualified.
Homologation
It takes place before the match Each team must pass the homologation stage of the competition day in order to compete with its robot in the competition. The homologation will take place at the beginning of the match. The stages of the homologation process are:
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Checking the robot’s dimensions: 10 x 10 cm.
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Checking the Start/Stop sensor functionality.
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It will be checked if the number exists on the outer casing of the robot.
The robot will not be retained after homologation. After homologation all teams have to remain in the competition hall.
Game development
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A game consist of two robots placed at the entrances of the maze. These will simultaneously depart at the start signal given by the referee with IR remote.
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The robot which first leaves the maze wins the game and gets 3 points.
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If no robot leaves the maze during 3 minutes, the winner will be the robot which is closer to the exit and will receive 3 points. (It will be mentioned with incomplete route; this notice will count only if there will be more competitors with the same score, if there will be groups)
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On the route, robots can meet, but they have to avoid each other.
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The route implies dead ends too. If one robot gets stuck, it will be freed, but it will receive a penalty that will be taken into account if no robot will finish the route or if there is equality.
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The penalties will accumulate.
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The robot has to leave the maze only through the marked zone for exit.
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It is allowed to use beacons for guidance
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It is not allowed the use of visual markers on the surface of the game.
Repairs, modifications, unexpected interruptions
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If a robot fails during a match, the main referee will assign a one minute interval for repairs. This range can be extended up to 5 minute by the organisers. Repairs will be supervised by an assistant referee to avoid changing the robot modules with unapproved parts.
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If a robot can not be repaired in the specified interval, the match is won by the opponent robot and the team can continue repairs until the next match in which they participate, and in this case the team will be supervised by a referee or a member of the organisation committee.
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Defective parts can be replaced and batteries can be charged during the competition if necessary.
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If there are any modification made to the robot after homologation, the robot must pass again the homologation stage.
Minor offenses
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When a competitor enters the playground during the match except the situation where the robot has completed the course and the contestant goes to pick up the robot.
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Entering the playground is when
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Any of the competitor’s body part is on the playground.
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If he inserts objects into the maze in order to lean on them.
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If he enters deliberately in the range of the robot’s sensors deliberately violating safety delimitation.
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One or more team members do the following:
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Calls off the match without any good reason.
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They need more time than the one given for returning into the contest if the referee had not given extra time for repairs.
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They take any actions of any nature which are contradictory to the fair-play spirit of the game.
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Penalties
Players who violate sections: “Robot limitation” will lose turn. Each violation of the foresights in the section “Minor offenses” will be accumulated. Three offenses lead to disqualification. Violation of the foresights in “Minor offenses” will be recorded during each try.
Declaration of the objections
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There will not be any objections against the decisions taken by the referees.
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If there are any objections, they need to be taken by the team leader before the end of the game if there is any doubt regarding the rules. Any objection has to be addressed to referee. If no organiser is present, complaints may be issued to the Infomatrix organisers.
Flexibility of the rules
The rules are flexible in the extent to adapt to the number of participants and games. Change or cancellation of rules may be decided by the organiser of the event, as long as they are released before the event and are maintained throughout the event.
Liability
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The participating teams are always responsible for the safety of their robots and are responsible for any accident caused by team members or robots.
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Infomatrix and the organising team will never be liable for incidents/accidents caused by participating teams or their robots.
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. The robots have to be placed at the border within the assigned quadrant at the same time when the referee gives the signal to do so and after that the robots may not be moved anymore. The robots have to be placed at the border within the assigned quadrant. The cross will be removed by the referee after the positioning of the robots. The robot has to cover the white border at least partially. After the two robots have been placed, the referee countdown to start. 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 centimeters). 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.). NEW! If one robot loses 10 grams worth of pieces or more during the match it will be a re-match, if it loses second time 10 grams worth of pieces it ends with round loss.
Mini Sumo Robot dimensions:
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height: Unlimited
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width: 10 cm.
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length: 10 cm.
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weight: 500 g.
Ring Dimensions:
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Diameter: 77 cm.
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Border: 2,5 cm.