LINE FOLLOWING -ZMROBO & UBTECH
The goal of the UBTech/ZMROBO Line-Following category is to make a line follower robot using UBTech/ZMROBO Mindstorms devices.
The fastest robot in the race following a black line on a white background will be considered the winner. The robot will need to be programmed to run autonomously using a downward-facing light sensor or color sensor.
1. Technical inspection
Before the competition, the robot must pass the technical inspection. For this, the maximum dimensions are 30x30cm and the maximum weight is 3kg. The wheels of the robot and other parts that are in contact with the track must NOT be able to pick up and hold a standard paper A4 (80g/cm2) more than 2 seconds.
We realize that there are many variations to the rules for UBTech/ZMROBO Sumo Robot; the official Robotics Championship rules posted on the website will be used for this competition and we ask that participants to read and be familiar with this particular rule set at the time of the competition, in order to avoid surprises.
2. Team
2.1
A “team” is composed from one to five students who have built a robot for this event. Each team should also have one adult present with the team. One adult can represent multiple teams if they wish.
2.2
The robot must be an autonomous robot constructed by themselves prior to the competition to the specifications below. This event is not a workshop where you may build robots after arrival. There will be limited time for adjustments and changes to the robots and their programming during the event.
2.3
Only one team member may enter the racetrack area to start the robot; other team members may watch from outside the racetrack area.
2.4
Each team/robot will be assigned a number on check-in and should have a unique name or identity to be easily recognized by spectators and officials when on the field and when scoring.
3. Robot Construction
3.1
The racing robot may only be composed of official UBTech/ZMROBO parts (for example UBTech/ZMROBO Mindstorm kits based on RCX, NXT, or EV3), which cannot be held together by any means other than the standard UBTech/ZMROBO construction methods (no tape, glue, stickers, etc.). No homemade sensors, multiplexers, or modifications to UBTech/ZMROBO elements are allowed. No modification to UBTech/ZMROBO parts by gluing, cutting or melting is allowed.
3.2
TWO motors with rotation sensors are allowed, and any other sensors manufactured by UBTech/ZMROBO may be used. No “made for UBTech/ZMROBO” third party sensors are permitted for this tournament.
3.3
It is encouraged that robots be decorated or themed with UBTech/ZMROBO parts.
3.4
There will be limited time and space for last minute design improvements and adjustments, however, the robots should be completed at the time of registration, and once check-in takes place, the robot or its programming may no longer be modified. Robot battery should also be sufficiently charged once the robot is checked in.
5. Programming
5.1
A line-following program must control your robot’s motion, using a downward facing light sensor or color sensor to follow a black line. A single light or color sensor is permitted, use of multiple sensors will result in a 5 second penalty to the lap time. One single line detection sensor is permitted. Using multiple line detection sensor will result in a time penalty of 15 seconds. There are multiple examples of various types of line-following programs that can be found online or in books.
5.2
The robot must be autonomous. No Bluetooth or other wireless control of the robot on the field is permitted.
7. Player Restrictions
7.1
When teams are called to the racetrack for their robot, teams present to the field promptly, and each team has to greet the other with a bow or handshake.
7.2
Players have to behave in a respectful manner, and are not permitted to use profanity or insulting words or actions, or to have their robot use such words or actions. Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in a violation or disqualification at the judge’s discretion.
7.3
Only one team member may enter the racetrack area to start and follow the robot, and restart if needed.
8. Racetrack
8.1
For this race, the track will be on a white surface, with two (2) one inch (1”) black lines which will be separated by 25 cm or more at all points. The lines will have random and irregular curves from one end to the other.
8.2
The overall length of the track will be between 2 and 2.5 meters.
8.3
The area immediately around this ring, termed the “Racetrack Area”, will be marked with tape or cones. Only one player from each team may enter the racetrack area with the robot at the start of the match.
9. Start of Match
9.1
One player from each team will enter the racetrack area with the robot and they will greet each other.
9.2
Upon the signal of the judge, the robots will be simultaneously placed at the starting end on their side of their track, with wheels resting off the racetrack.
9.3
Upon the start command from the judge, the players will start the robot program, and then step back from the track. The players may follow their robot along the length of the track in order to quickly retrieve an errant robot. It will not be allowed for any player to step on the track itself at any time, or to kneel or crawl or otherwise be on top of the track.
10. Match
10.1
The robots must follow their line on the racetrack until the light/color sensor reaches the far end of the line, and their time will be recorded. The robot may be immediately retrieved by the player once the light/color sensor reaches the end.
10.2
Once both robots reach that end, they will restart in a race back to the starting end on the other track that they did not travel previously, and the time on that leg will also be recorded.
10.3
If a robot leaves its line, it may be taken back to the starting position for that leg and be restarted immediately, without waiting for a judge’s signal. The timer will continue to run including restarts on that leg. If the total time exceeds twice that of the opponent on that leg, the time for that leg will be recorded as twice the opponent's time for that leg.
11. Judging
11.1
No objections shall be declared against the judges' decisions.
11.2
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.
12. Championship
The Champion will be the robot with the fastest (lowest) total time for the two legs of the race (traveling in each direction once, and each track once.)
13. 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 organizers as long as they are published prior to the event, and are consistently maintained throughout the event.
14. Liability
14.1
Participating teams are always responsible for the safety of their robots and are liable for any accidents caused by their team members or their robots.
14.2
The Robotics Championship organization and the organizing team members will never be held responsible nor liable for any incidents and / or accidents caused by participating teams or their equipment.