MENARA TAMING SARI MELAKA UTeM

ROBORACE CHALLENGE 2017

RULES AND REGULATION

Robo Tower

Date: 20 MAY 2017 (Saturday)

Venue: Menara Taming Sari, Melaka
Time: 8.00 a.m - 5.00 p.m

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI MAKLUMAT & KOMUNIKASI

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
HANG TUAH JAYA 76100 DURIAN TUNGGAL,
MELAKA, MALAYSIA.

Version 1.0, 4th April 2017

1. INTRODUCTION
The main challenge for this competition is to run a Lego robot (NXT or EV3) that can find its way
through an arena that through a maze, move the obstacles sideways, and arrive at the tower in the
shortest time. This task simulates the real-world operation of an autonomous robot performing a
challenge in a real field. The tasks that need to be accomplished are to navigate a maze, and move
the obstacles sideways. The final task which is the main goal is to arrive at the Taming Sari Tower.
The goal of the competition is to advance robot technology and knowledge while using robotics
as an educational tool.

2. OBJECTIVES
The goal of the competition is to make a robot that can operate successfully in the real world, not
just in the laboratory. Such a robot must be able to operate successfully where there are uncertainty
and imprecision. Therefore, the dimensions and specifications listed in the rules are an
approximation of what will be encountered in the competition and they are provided as general
aids. However, the size limits of the robots are definitive and will be enforced by the judges.

3. PARTICIPANTS
This competition is open to high schools students ONLY.

4. THE BATTLE FIELD PLAN STUCTURE

Keeping in mind the large number of original contest arena out in the real world. The floor plan of
the arena can be seen in the Appendix section. The Arena Layout represents a maze and the layout.

5. MATERIALS

1. Building system: Lego NXT or EV3 only.

2. Control software must be Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software or Lego Mindstorms
Education EV3 software.
 NXT software: https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/downloads/nxt-software-
download
EV3 software: https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/downloads/download-
software
3. Teams should prepare and bring all the equipment (robot), software and laptop
computers, they need during the competition.
4. Teams using their own Lego sets should bring enough spare parts. Even in the case of
any accidents or equipment malfunction, the organizing committee is not responsible for
any maintenance or replacements.
5. Coaches/Mentors are not allowed to enter the competition arena to provide any
instructions and guidance during the competition.
6. Robots may be assembled before the tournament.
7. Contestants may make the program beforehand.

6. REGULATION ABOUT THE ROBOT OPERATION

1. Once turned on, the robot must be autonomous without any human intervention. That is, they
are to be autonomously controlled and not manually controlled using any devices. Participants
are not allowed to interfere or assist the robot while it is running (performing the mission).
Teams that violate this rule will be penalized.

2. A robot must be autonomous and finish the mission by itself. Any radio communication,
remote control and wired control systems are not allowed while the robot is running. Teams
in violation of this rule will be disqualified.

3. Any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi functions on the Lego set controller must be switched off at all times.

7. PRIOR TO COMPETING
1. Each team must prepare for the match in their specified place until the Check Time, when
the teams robot must be placed in a designated area.
2. Teams cannot touch designated competition courts before the start of the Start Time is
announced.
3. A surprise additional rule will be announced on the morning of the competition.
8. COMPETITION ARENA
1. People, other than competing students are not allowed to enter the competition arena, apart
from authorized Roborace Committee staff and special personnel.
2. The standard of all competition materials and arena are according to what are provided
by the committee on the competition days.
3. A robot may bump into or touch the walls of the arena as its travel, but it cannot mark, dislodge
or damage the walls in doing so. There will be a penalty for touching a wall (-1 mark). It
cannot make any marks on the floor of the arena that aid in navigation as it travels. Any robot
that deliberately, in the judges opinion, damages the competition arena (including the walls)
will be disqualified.
4. There are two checkpoints in the arena; the robot must stop for a while to move the obstacles
sideways.
5. The robot must arrive at Menara Taming Sari to complete the mission.

9. RAMP
1. For every stage, there is a ramp (refer Appendix) on the way heading to the Menara Taming
Sari, the robot must climb the ramp to arrive at the tower (must exceed the line).
2. If the robot falls from the ramp, the robot will get penalty.

10. MOVING OBSTACLE MECHANISM

1. For the moving obstacle, the robot has to move the obstacle out from road (line) before moving
forward.

11. PROHIBITED MATTERS

1. Destruction or tampering with competition courts/tables, materials or robots of other teams.
2. Uses of dangerous items or behaviours that may create or cause interfere with the competition.
3. Inappropriate words and/or behaviour toward other team members, other teams, audience,
judge or staff.
4. Bringing food or drink into designated competition area.
5. Competitors using any communication devices and methods while the competition is in
process. Anyone outside the competition area is also banned from talking to or communicating
with competing students. Teams violating this rule will be considered as disqualified and
should quit the competition immediately. If communication is necessary, the committee may
allow team members to communicate with others under supervision by tournament staff or
exchanging a note under permission by judges.
6. Any other situation which judges might consider as interference or violation of the spirit of
the competition.

12. TIME LIMITS

The maximum time for preparation and programming (buffer) is 3 minutes. If the
contestant exceed the given time, the robot will be stopped and get the penalty.
The maximum time for contest running is 8 Minutes per match.
1. 3 Minutes = Time Buffer (preparation on field)
2. 5 Minutes = Start the Challenge

13. STAGE
In this competition, there will be a Preliminary Stage and Final Stage (for a field).
1) Preliminary Stage
Round 1, 2 and 3: 4 matches/round
2) Final Stage
Single Round: 1 Match
*Each Match consists of 4 teams in the arena
14. SCORING
The score is based on the mark that is count by the judge. The mark will be deducted from the
penalties. The mark is based on form that is shown in the table below:

Target Task
Condition Mark
Completed (Maze) 20
Move the Obstacle 1 10
Move the Obstacle 2 10
Climb the Ramp (Final) 5
Stop at Finish Point (Tower) 10
Penalty
Preparation > 3 minute -2
Hit wall in Maze (max 10 hit) -1/per hit
Hit Obstacle wall (max 10 hit) -1/per hit
Enter the other arena -5
Fall from the ramp/platform -5
Touch the EV3 robot (interrupt by participant) -5
Exceed the overall time (finish alarm) -5
15. EXAMPLE SCORING FOR ROBOT A

Robot A completed the maze, moved the Obstacle 1 and 2 (until exceed the line),
climb the ramp and stop at finish point in 185 secs (until exceed the line). However,
it hit the walls in maze for 3 times and had been interrupted by the contestant for
once. So the calculation as in following table.

Given time (in secs) 5 mins (300 secs)

Time to complete mission (for Robot A) 185 secs
Condition Full Mark Actual Mark
Remain time for Robot A (Given time Mission time) 155 secs
Completed (Maze) 20 20
Move the Obstacle 1 10 10
Move the Obstacle 2 10 10
Climb the Ramp (Final) 5 5
Stop at Finish Point (Tower) 10 10
Penalty
Preparation > 3 minute -2 -
Hit wall in Maze (max 10 hit) -1/per hit 3 hits -1 = -3
Hit Obstacle wall (max 10 hit) -1/per hit -
Enter the other arena -5 -
Fall from the ramp/platform -5 -
Touch the EV3 robot (interrupt by participant) -5 1 time -5 = -5
Exceed the overall time (finish alarm) -5 -
TOTAL 202 point
 APPENDIX

MOVE OBSTACLE
EXCEED THIS LINE
60 cm

OBSTACLE 1

BLACK LINE
MAZE

STAGE
OBSTACLE 2

60 cm
START

60 cm

END
60 cm
X

30 cm
120 cm
PARTITION

RAMP (30)