23 Robotics Competitions part7 Robot Wars
Description
This article is from the Robotics FAQ, by Kevin Dowling nivek@cs.cmu.edu with numerous contributions by others.
23 Robotics Competitions part7 Robot Wars
PO Box 936
Fairfax CA 94978
tel: 415.453.6305
fax: 415.453.4453
robotwars@aol.com
"ROBOT WARS 1995 RULES AND GUIDELINES"
[I've added approximate metric equivalents in parentheses - nivek]
"GENERAL DESCRIPTION:"
Robot Wars is a competitive mechanical sporting event that features radio
controlled robots in combat. Competitors must employ a combination of skill,
power and strategy in this contest for survival.
"DATE:" The Second Annual Robot Wars competition is scheduled for Saturday
and Sunday, August 19 and 20, 1995. Weigh-in's and inspections are on Friday,
August 18, starting at 9:00 am.
"PLACE:" Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, California
"ARENA DESIGN:" The arena will be rectangular and measure approximately 30
feet (9.1m) by 54 feet (16.5m) and will present the following challenges to
your robot:
1. The surface will be flat asphalt.
2. A variety of mechanical hazards will be positioned around the
arena. Some traps will be continuously active. Others will lie in
wait. These hazards may damage robots that come within reach or
that pass by too slowly.
"GAME DESIGN:" FACE-OFF: Robots will be randomly paired within weight
classifications. Contestants win by immobilizing their opponent. Winners
advance through elimination rounds until the last two fight for the Face-Off
championship. Each match is timed at 5 minutes. Judges may first warn then
disqualify robots for excessive evasion.
FACE-OFF JUDGING: Winners are determined in one of three ways:
1. By rendering your opponent immobile within the 5 minute time
limit. Any robot that becomes pinned against any arena surface and
is unable to move for 30 continuous seconds shall be considered
"immobile."
2. If after 5 minutes both robots are still mobile then the audience
will choose the winner with applause that is registered on a
decibel meter. The highest reading wins. The audience will use
criteria that takes into account: Damage, Aggressiveness and
Control.
3. If the decibel meter readings are very close then a panel of three
judges will determine the winner using a point system based upon
the same criteria.
MELEE: This game is a free-for-all fight between contestants that are
randomly grouped within each weight classification. The last one to remain
mobile will be the winner of this event. The same rule for "pinning" shall
apply. Each match is timed at 5 minutes. Any robots that remain mobile after
5 minutes will be allowed to compete with other groups of survivors until
there is only one robot left mobile in each weight class. Here, too, in order
to promote competitive action, judges may first warn then disqualify robots
for excessive evasion.
"AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS:" We are planning to present matches between autonomous
robots (internal controls) in this special category of Face-off and Melee.
Those who are interested in entering this category should contact RWI for
special guidelines.
"WEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS FOR FACE-OFF AND MELEE:"
1. 2 - 20 lbs (0.9 - 9.1kg) Super Lightweight Class
2. 21 - 40 lbs (9.5 - 18.2kg) Lightweight Class
3. 41 - 80 lbs (18.6 - 36.4kg Middleweight class
4. 81 - 160 lbs (36.8 - 72.7kg) Heavyweight class
Contestants may enter one weight class per robot.
As an incentive, legged (walking) robots will be permitted to enter the
weight class immediately below their official weight or weigh up to 200 lbs
(90.9kg) in the heavyweight class.
"POWER: ELECTRIC OR FUEL "SAFETY RESTRICTIONS
1. All explosives, corrosives, flames, pyrotechnics and untethered
projectiles are prohibited.
2. Sighting / pointing lasers are allowed up to 5mw. Any laser above
5mw is prohibited.
3. Compressed gas is limited to 1000 psi. (~6900kPa)
4. Fuel capacity limited to 8 oz. (30ml) or 6 minutes operating time.
5. Fuel tanks must be adequately protected against penetration.
6. Robots will be inspected for safety and reliability before being
allowed to compete according to guidelines that require and insure
safe construction and operation. This means that tethers, blades,
arms, levers, air cylinders and all other mechanical parts and
weaponry must be strong and secure.
7. Contestants must be able to transport the robots to and from the
combat arena quickly and safely.
"OTHER RESTRICTIONS" The following is a list of materials and practices that
are prohibited:
1. All forms of radio jamming.
2. All electronic weaponry (stun-guns, tesla coils, etc.)
3. All liquid weaponry (water, glue, etc.)
4. All physical interference between contestants. This includes
obstruction of sight-line and destruction of equipment.
"TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS:"
1. We recommend the use of PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) radios to
avoid interference. FM is acceptable. The use of AM radios is
allowed but is discouraged due to potential interference problems.
2. We recommend that contestants have more than one crystal on hand
to avoid frequency incompatibility. Receivers inside robots should
be accessible and easy to change or replace.
"PRIZES: "Prizes will be announced prior to the event.
"PIT AREA:" Work tables and 110v power provided. Safety guidelines for the
pit area and staging proceedures for competition will be distributed at a
later date.
"LIMITED NUMBER OF ENTRIES:" Over the two days of the event there is a limit
to the number of entries that may compete in each weight class. RWI will
reserve a number of spots as discretionary, some of which will be reserved
for last year's entrants.
"NOTE:" All rules and guidelines are subject to change. Contestants who fail
to adhere to rules and guidelines may be subject to disqualification.
"ENTRY FORMS:" To obtain printed entry forms please e-mail your hardcopy
address to robotwars@aol.com
"______________________________________________________________________"
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