Materials and Parts
- Each team will receive a single new Lego Mindstorm kit
- In addition, each team will receive a 'supplementary kit' that composes of the following: 1 bric, 3 servos, 1 USB cord, 2 long cables, 1 short cable, 4 medium cables, 1 ultrasound sensor, 1 IR sensor, 1 microphone sensor, 1 push sensor, 4 large wheels, 4 small wheels, 2 treads, 6 drive wheels, 2 racing tires, 1 red ball, 1 blue ball
- You can use only the parts that are given to you for the robot
- Teams are free to trade parts
- Software is provided in the kit
- Teams are welcome to use any compatible software; however, the support team will provide minimal support with "external" software
- Use of adhesive or permanent modification to the parts in the kit are NOT allowed (flag can be attached to the robot but should not be a permanent fixture)
- Batteries will be supplied by SDM, please see the support team
- Teams may not spend more than $25 on additional items for the competition
General Competition Rules
Following is a list of general rules for the Robo-Olympics. An additional set of specific rules will also accompany each event:
- The events will occur in the order numbered in the DC1 home page
- Each round will start with a 'blow horn' which should autonomously activate the robots
- The blow horn file is attached to this page.
- The volume level of the horn sound will be at least a 85% reading on the bric's sound test file (My Files > Try Me Files > Sound).
- The volume level of the horn sound will be at least a 85% reading on the bric's sound test file (My Files > Try Me Files > Sound).
- Once the start button has been pressed, the robot is not allowed physical influences
- Robots will be permitted modifications during "pit stops" between events. The pit stop session will be 10 minutes max. Bonus points will be given for faster check-in with the referees while robots late to the events will be penalized.
- Teams will receive 1 bonus point for every whole minute they are early. For example, if a team checks in at 7 minutes 30 seconds, the team will be awarded 2 bonus points.
- Teams will be penalized 5 points for every partial minute they are late. For example, if a team checks in at 11 minutes 30 seconds, the team will be penalized 10 points.
- The pit stop area (which is also the staging area) will be a designated area adjacent to the playing field. Each team are permitted only two members in this area during the events and the pit stops.
- Communication with the robots via Bluetooth is prohibited.
- Bluetooth is permitted for bric-to-bric communication within a single robot.
- Falling "off the stage" (opening ceremony), leaving the launch zone (archery) and leaving the dance floor (synchronized dancing) is defined by half the length of the robot base (50% of the chassis) being out. For the relay, there is no penalty for leaving the race track since it is likely a mulligan penalty will be incurred for restoring the robot.
- Teams will have the option of re-calibrating their light sensors at the beginning of each of the events (definitely necessary for synchronized dancing).
Scoring
Each event will have its own scoring scheme. Points will be totaled at the end to determine the winner.
Support
The support team will provide:
- On-site support: support team members will be available around the SDM breakout area for questions and clarifications.
- Information sessions (Q&A): one-hour information sessions will be held every second day to answer questions and provide details (see schedule). Only one representative from each team should attend this general meeting.
- Q&A Wiki: post questions on the Wiki page and the support team will try to get back to you as soon as possible on that same page.
You may challenge the support team and demand an explanation or justification of the rules. You may not get the answer you want, but it will become clearer as the competition day nears.