You have been challenged to a Sumo robot battle!
Official Sumo-bot Wrestling Rules
(updated
9/14/03 - previous rules can be found here
and the original rules can be found here)
Sumo-bot wrestling is a contest where two LEGO robot contestants try to push each other out of a circular ring. The first robot to touch the floor outside of the ring loses. The last robot remaining in the ring wins.
Highlighting indicates new or changed sections.
Robots: Robots must be constructed of official LEGO elements or their generic equivalent. The onboard computing device must be one or a combination of the following: Cybermaster, MicroScout, CodePilot, Scout, Spybots or the RCX programmable brick. There is no limit as to how many or how few computing units a robot employs. Homebrew sensors and multiplexors are allowed, all other modifications to LEGO elements or their generic equivalent is prohibited.
Control: All robots are to act autonomously, that is to say, robots must operate without human control during a match.
Weight: The total weight limit for a robot is 2 pounds. All robots will be subject to a weigh-in process at the beginning of the event to determine their 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 match has started.
Class: Although all robots will be put into the same pool of robots to be matched up by the software, robots now must have a class associated with them. The software will first sort by robots with the same win-loss record and then by class. The classes are defined as follows:
- RIS only - The robot is limited to the contents of a single RIS kit (roughly defined as 1 RCX, 2 motors, 1 light sensor, 2 touch sensors and various building elements). No custom made or homebrew sensors/computing devices/motors allowed. All other robot specific rules apply.
- Open - No limitation on custom made or homebrew sensors/computing devices/motors, no limitation on quantity of elements used, no limitation on specific building elements used. All other robot specific rules apply.
Modules: A robot may have a modular design that is intended to allow it to adapt to its next opponent by swapping modules. An unlimited number of interchangeable modules may be employed by a robot. The modules must conform to the following guidelines:
- Pre-built at event start - all modules a robot may employ during the event must be built prior to the event start (no building of new modules during the event).
- Easily interchangeable - swapping modules must be simple and easy, the builder may not disassemble his robot in order to swap a module out and then reassemble the robot (the modules must be readily removable).
- Conforms to all other robot specific rules - Size, weight limit, and class specifications must be considered by the robot builder when designing, building, and employing modules. Adding a module must not cause the robot to violate any of these rules.
- Pre-match deployment - Swapping of modules may occur at any time prior to match start. Once a match has begun, the robots are locked into their current configuration for the entirety of the match.
- Weighing-in - During the weigh-in process, all modular robots will be asked to weigh-in once for each module/robot combination. Once the event begins, only these pre-weighed combinations will be allowed for that robot.
Sumo Ring Details: The sumo ring has a diameter of 4 feet, and is raised about 4 inches above the floor. The color of the ring is Krylon Ultra Flat Black spray paint, with a 2 inch wide Krylon Flat White spray paint edge boundary. The surface of the ring is smooth due to it being made from "finished plywood".
Prohibited Items and Actions: A robot may not spray any material on the ring or on their opponent, or in any way deform the sumo ring. Robots are not allowed to use any flying components or projectiles. Robots may not electromagnetically interfere with the other robot or its sensors. Overt attempts to damage the opponent's robot, over and above the expected ramming and pushing, are not allowed. No rotating blades or flame-throwers!
Allowed Items and Actions: A robot may use various forms of detection to locate the other robot (IR, sonar, touch...). It may also incorporate stealth technology to avoid detection by the other robot. Providing an environment which misleads the opponent's robot is allowed (for example, putting a black flap down over the white ring edge line, hoping the other robot will not detect the edge and fall off). Signals may be used to try to confuse the other robot's detectors, such as flooding the area with IR, touching the far side of the robot, or convincing the other robot it is at the edge of the ring.
Programs and Programming: Programming for the RCX may be done in many languages for many different firmware available on the Internet.
Here are a few links:
For other LEGO brand computing devices, you can find information at the LUGNET robotics forum. Programs may occupy any slot number on the RCX and you may have as many programs for your robot as you wish. There will be no remote starts, so your "RUN" button must be accessible to you at bout start.
Match Rules: Each match (the full contest between two robots) has a limit of three minutes or three bouts (each battle between two robots), which ever comes first.
Bout Start: The robots are placed on the sumo ring at the designated starting positions. Starting positions is defined as side-by-side in center of ring, spaced 6 inches from each other and facing in opposite directions. There will be a starting block that will indicate which direction the robots should face and will also maintain specified spacing. The direction a robot is facing is defined by it's initial, perceptible, direction of movement. A referee signals the start of each bout. The builders will indicate to their robots the start of the bout. Each robot should have a 5 second delay after the builder pushes run before the robot starts to move.
Bout End: A bout ends when...
- ...the first robot touches the area outside the ring.
- ...the robots are deadlocked for 30 seconds.
- ...both builders agree on a draw.
- ...the match time expires.
Bout Scoring: At the end of each bout, both robots are awarded points as follows:
- 2 points for a win
- 1 point for a draw
- 0 points for a loss
Match End: The match is over when either 3 minutes has elapsed or 3 bouts have concluded.
Match Scoring: After the match, the robot with the most bout points receives 1 match win. If the robots have the same amount of bout points, each receives .5 match wins.
Event Scoring: At the end of the day, the robot with the most wins, is the champion. If there is a tie, the robot with the most points is the champion.
Repairs and Reprogramming: During a match no changes in programming or construction of the robot is allowed, though minor repairs or battery replacements are allowed. There will be a maximum of one minute between bouts for these repairs. Reprogramming is allowed when the robot is on the sidelines (not actively in a bout or match).
Good luck,
Jona