Will there be a lecture in CQ-006 on Wed 28 Feb? There will be a short lecture in CQ-006, but it will end early so that we can go and set up the basic and advanced tracks. We'll basically just be reviewing the logistics for the competition.
Where will the competition take place? We plan to set up both tracks (basic and advanced) in CQ-507/508. I (Ted) will be refereeing the basic track. Nouman will referee the advanced track.
What time does the competition start? Formally, the competition starts at 3pm. Before that, we will be setting up the track. If there are multiple robots ready to attempt the basic track at 3pm, we will be begin by letting each of those robots attempt the track once. The fastest successful attempt will secure the first of the two iconic digital watches (Casio F-91W). After that, we will proceed with attempts on both tracks for the rest of the afternoon to decide the final competition ranking.
Will there be access to soldering equipment / PCs / etc during the competition? There will be limited access to the usual facilities in whichever labs are supervised. However, since we will also be refereeing the tracks this afternoon, we will be spread more thinly across the usual labs, so some rooms may not be available in the usual way. If in doubt, I suggest visiting the main competition room (CQ-507/508) to find what you need.
Do I need to stay for the afternoon after recording a Track TT result? No, once you have recorded a result, you are free to go. However, most students choose to stay longer to try to improve there result. You are permitted multiple attempts, even after you have recorded a time. Also, if you already have plan for who you will team up with for the sumo tournament, it could make sense to help them improve their result.
Introduction
This competition is a robot track time trial (TT). You will build an autonomous (self-guiding) robot to complete one full lap of a raised looped track (the "standard track") in the shortest time possible. You will each build your own individual robot for this competition. Your robot should be ready to perform the task under the supervision of a referee (typically one of the RoboSumo lecturers) during the lab session on Wednesday 28-Feb-2024. Robots that successfully complete the standard track on 28-Feb-2024 will be eligible to attempt a lap of a second more difficult track (the "advanced track").
Results for the standard track 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 standard track on 28-Feb-2024 may be offered an opportunity to record a result at a later time and date specified by the RoboSumo lab instructors, but those late results will be ranked below all robots that successfully complete the standard track in the first week of the competition.
Attempts on the advanced track are only permitted on 28-Feb-2024 (other than in very exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the referees). All successful attempts on the advanced track by fully compliant robots will rank above all results on the standard track.
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. However, priority will generally be given to competitors who have not yet recorded a successful attempt.
Robot specification
The maximum permitted mass of the robot is 0.5 kg. 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).
All of the robot's ground contact points must fit within a 120 mm diameter circle on the ground. This includes every part of the robot that routinely comes into contact with the track (or nearby surfaces) during an attempt.
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.
Making an attempt
At the beginning of a time trial attempt, the competitor places their robot at a point indicated by the referee.
The robot must remain stationary at that point, in physical contact with the track, until the referee says "Go".
If the referee is using a manual stopwatch or timer, they will say "Go" when the clock starts and the competitor starts (or releases) their robot.
Competitors are permitted to have their robot powered up while waiting for the referee to say "Go", including wheels turning, provided that the robot remains stationary at the point on the track indicated by the referee.
The start/finish process may vary slightly if an automatic timing system is used, in which case competitors should simply follow the referee's instructions. The result will still be the time taken to complete one lap of the track.
The robot follows the track for one full lap, remaining in constant physical contact with the upper surface of the track at all times.
Competitors are strictly forbidden from touching or otherwise influencing the robot during the time trial – the robot must be complete the task autonomously. Any external interference will in that attempt being declared null and void.
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 clock stops as soon as any part of the robot reaches the start point having completed a full lap. The robot does not need to come to a halt.
The Standard Track
The standard track is shown in the image above.
The width of the standard track is approximately 150 mm.
The standard track is level throughout.
Completing a full lap of the standard track will require left and right turns.
The surface of the track may be slightly uneven at the joins between track sections.
The Advanced Track
To test each competitor's ability to adapt to the unknown, the exact design of the advanced track will only be revealed on the day of the competition.
The width of the advanced track will be mostly similar to the standard track.
The advanced track will include sloped sections.
We do not expect every robot to complete the advanced track.
The advanced track will only be available on the main day of the competition. Late attempts will be limited to the standard track.
Non-compliant robots and late entries
Robots that fail to complete the challenge in the first week may be permitted to record a time at a later date, 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 same task in the same week, irrespective of the time recorded.
Robots will not be eligible to attempt the advanced track until they have recorded a fully compliant result on the standard track.
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.
Summary of ranking criteria:
Ranking of results will be according to the following criteria, in order of decreasing precedence:
Robots that complete the advanced track (only available on the main day of the competition) will rank above those that only complete the standard track. A robots is only eligible to attempt the advanced track once it has successfully recorded a fully compliant result on the basic track.
Robots that complete the standard track in week 1 will be ranked above those that complete it at a later date, irrespective of the lap time.
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.
For each track (standard and advanced), 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.
