This competition is a robot track time trial (TT). You will build an autonomous (self-guiding) robot to drive from one end of a marked track to the other end in the shortest possible time. You will each build your own individual robot for this competition. Your robot should be ready to perform the task under the observation of a referee (probably your lab supervisor) during the lab session on Wednesday 1st March 2023.
Results will be ranked based on the time taken by each robot to complete the task (as measured by the referee), as well as compliance with the rules set out below. Robots that do not complete the challenge on 2-Mar-2022 will have a second opportunity to record a time the following week, but their results will be ranked below all robots that successfully complete the challenge in the first week of the competition.
Competitors are permitted (at the discretion of the referee) to attempt the task multiple times, whether to complete the task for the first time, or to improve upon a previously recorded attempt. Priority should be given to competitors who have not yet recorded a successful attempt.
The colour of the track will be decided by the referee. It will either be a light-coloured track on a dark background or vice versa.
At the beginning of a time trial attempt, the competitor places their robot over the start end of the stripe. Some part of the robot must be directly above the end of the track when the referee starts the clock.
The robot follows the track from the start to the finish end of the stripe, keeping some part of itself directly above the stripe at all times. Competitors are forbidden from touching or otherwise influencing the robot during the time trial – the robot must be complete the task autonomously.
The clock stops as soon as any part of the robot is directly above the finish end of the stripe. The robot does not need to come to a halt.
If the robot leaves the track at any point (i.e. no part of the robot is directly above the track), that attempt at the time trial is null and void.
The Track
The track will be marked with a clearly visible stripe on a horizontal surface.
The track can be either a dark stripe on a light background or a light stripe on a dark background, as decided by the referee(s).
The width of the stripe will be no less than 4cm and no greater than 6cm.
The track consists of five straight sections, each at least 50cm in length.
At every meeting point between two straight sections, the track turns a right-angled corner (i.e. 90 degrees). At each corner, the inner and outer edges of the track will each form a 90 degree angle (i.e. neither edge of the track is rounded at the corner).
As the robot travels along the track from beginning to end, the corners are as follows: left turn, left turn, right turn, right turn.
The recorded result for the time trial will be the time elapsed between the last moment when the robot was above the start end of the stripe and the first moment when the robot is above the finishing end of the stripe.
The robot must remain in contact with the horizontal surface throughout the time trial.
It is not permitted to touch, influence or otherwise interfere with the robot during the time trial – it must operate completely autonomously.
If the robot leaves the track at any point during the time trial, that attempt is null and void. The robot does not need to be in physical contact with the track throughout the attempt, but some part of the robot must always be directly above some part of the track.
Robot specification
The maximum permitted size of the robot is a cube 150 mm on all sides (i.e. 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm). At every moment during an attempt, every single part of the robot (including loose wires, etc.) must fit within an upright 150 x 150 x 150 mm cube. Upright means that two sides of the cube are horizontal and four sides are vertical. Note that this size limit is very strictly enforced.
The maximum permitted mass of the robot is 500 g. This weight limit is strictly enforced.
The only permitted power source for the robot is 4 × AA batteries (e.g. the battery pack provided in the RoboSumo kit).
Competitors are permitted to source additional components and materials for use in their robot, at their own expense. However, the maximum permitted budget for parts used in a robot during the time trial is €70 (of the competitor’s own money). This excludes the cost of parts supplied by the college and materials that were obtained for free (provided that similar materials could easily be obtained for free by other competitors). Note that you do not need to spend any money to complete this challenge. Also, please note that any money you choose to spend will not be reimbursed by the college.
Please keep in mind when purchasing components or materials that your sumo robot will be submitted for assessment at the end of the project (after the sumo tournament) and, although we do aim to return most robots to the competitors/teams who built them, there is no guarantee that you will get your robot back. Competitors will not be reimbursed for parts included in the robot they submit for assessment, even if the robot is not returned to them.
Non-compliant robots and late entries
Robots that fail to complete the challenge in the first week will be permitted to record a time the following week, but all results after the first week will be ranked below those recorded in the first week, irrespective of the times recorded.
Robots that fail to comply with the above specifications may still be permitted to record a ranked time, at the discretion of the referee. However, their results will be ranked below those of compliant robots that completed the task in the same week, irrespective of the time recorded.
Documenting your Track TT work in a WordPress blog post
Every student writes an individual blog post about their work on the Track TT challenge.
Record a video of your robot completing the Track TT. Upload your video to YouTube and make it publicly visible. (You may select to make it “unlisted” which will prevent it from appearing in search results.)
Embed the YouTube video of your Track TT attempt (and optionally other attempts) in your blog post.
Include photos of your robot, highlighting any noteworthy design features.
Include a circuit diagram using the conventional circuit symbols (i.e. not a drawing of your breadboard layout).
Include one or more clear photos of your breadboard and any other wiring you completed (e.g. TCRT5000 colour-sensing modules).
Include your complete Arduino code for the working robot. Ensure that the code includes clear accurate comments, is easy to read, and is neatly indented.
Include a flow chart / state table / logic diagram or something similar to explain how your code works.
Include photos of any design sketches or schematics you have drawn.
Include a brief reflection on what you learned while working on the Track TT challenge.
Example TrackTT video
Summary of ranking criteria:
Ranking of results will be according to the following criteria, in order of decreasing precedence:
Robots that complete the task in week 1 will be ranked above those that complete it in week 2.
Robots that are fully compliant with the above robot specification during their ranked attempt will rank above robots that are non-compliant during their ranked attempt.
Robots will be ranked according to the time taken to complete the task. Robots that complete it quicker will be ranked higher.
Referees and conduct of competitors
Every RoboSumo module lecturer is a competition referee. The module lecturers may also nominate additional referees.
Competitors must follow the referee’s instructions during an attempt.
Competitors who repeatedly fail to follow the referee’s instructions, or who engage in rude or offensive behaviour during the competition may be suspended or disqualified at the discretion of the referee(s).
The referees will aim to treat all competitors fairly. Where a difference of opinion arises, competitors must always respect the decision of the referee. Once the referee makes a decision, competitors must refrain from further argument on the matter.
The referees reserve the right to amend the competition rules or ranking criteria in individual cases, should the need arise (e.g. where a student is absent for medical reasons). Amendments may be applied at the time of the competition or subsequently, which may affect the competition ranking.
