You have been challenged to a stair climbing race!
Official Stair Climbing Race Rules
Stair climbing race is a contest where a LEGO robot contestant attempts to be the fastest to reach the top of a stair case. The robot with the shortest count in seconds will win.
Robots: Robots may only use a single RCX. This may be their only computing device. Homebrew sensors and multiplexors are allowed, all other modifications to LEGO elements is prohibited.
Robot Control: All robots are to act autonomously, that is to say, robots must operate without human control during a match.
Weight: There is no restriction on robot weight.
Size: At the start of a match the robot must fit into a square box of 12 inches to a side, with no height limitation. Parts of the robot may extend outside this region after a time trial has started.
Stair Case Details: The stair case will be 18 inches wide, 35 inches deep and 35 inches tall. There will be 5 steps, each with a run and rise of 7 inches. The building material will be sanded, but unfinished wood. There will be no additional color added to the surface.
Prohibited Items and Actions: There is no skipping steps.
Allowed Items and Actions: Get your robot to the top step. Climb, crawl, roll, slither, hop, do whatever you want really.
Programs: Programs may be in any slot number on the RCX. Use of non LEGO firmware and or programming environments is acceptable.
Time Trial Rules: A competitor will be given 3 time trials. The best time out of the 3 will be used as the robots final time.
Time Trial Start: The robot is placed at the starting line. When the builder signals readiness, the 'Run' button is pressed to initiate the program in the RCX (or the power is turned on in non-computerized robots) and the clock is started. Robots may proceed immediately, there is no need for a 5 second delay.
Time Trial Progression: The robot works it's way to the top of the stair case. It must touch the top surface of each step along the way.
Time Trial End: The trial ends when the robot is on the top step.
Mis Trial: If the robot becomes immobile during the course of the trial in a way that it is clear the robot will not reach the top step, the trial will be declared a mis trial. The time trial will be restarted. If the robot incurs a second mis trial, then the run is over.
Possible causes for a mis trial:
- robot has fallen off stair case
- robot has tipped over on a stair
- robot is still upright, but is unable to climb next stair
- robot has delayed the start of a time trial by longer then 1 minute
Repairs and Reprogramming: All repairs and reprogramming must occur after a robot has completed it's current trial and before it's next trial begins. A trial may be delayed no longer then 1 minute before a mis trial is declared. During any one trial, if in a mis trial situation, minor repairs or battery replacements are allowed. That is to say, if a robot has fallen and comes apart, it may take the time to reassemble prior to the start of it's second run.
Reprogramming is allowed when the robot is on the sidelines (not actively in a time trial). Reprogramming capabilities are not guaranteed to be available at the event venue. Come prepared with your program(s) already downloaded to your RCX. Bring a laptop and your IR-Tower if you anticipate having to reprogram during the event. You never know when the hosts IR-Tower will refuse to work :(
Good luck,
Jona