Line Follower Rules
Line Follower
Short Description:
The objective of this contest is to complete the course in the shortest period of time while accurately tracking the course line from start to finish.
For Line Follower category will compete only participants that are over 18 years old, including the ones that are part of robotic clubs, or participants on their own.
Changelog
17.07.2017
1.6. Aim of the Game
Important!!! One person can be operator for maximum 2 robots.
If you are called to play and you don't come in 5 minutes the robot is desqulified.
01.05.2016
1.6. Aim of the Game
2. Homologation
Appendix 1 - Team’s folder
22.10.2015
1.3. Time Limit
20.07.2015
First publishing
1. General Requirements
1.1. Size and Weight Limits
A. The maximum size of a robot is 25 x 25 cm (250mm x 250mm), the maximum weight is 1 kg (1000g). Dimensional and weight limits for robots shall be strictly enforced. Robots must have passed inspection prior to competing.
B. Sticky substances to improve traction are not allowed. Tires and other components of the robot in contact with the game surface, must not be able to pick up and hold a standard A4 paper (80 g/m2) for more than two seconds. The robots will be check at homologation phase and they can be rechecked in any moment of the competition.
C. The robots must have displayed a number, offer by the organizers, on the outer casing of the robot in a visible place. The number it is used to identify the robot by the referee and can be found in the Team's Folder (details in appendix 1).
1.2. Course Time
Time is measured from crossing the start line until the robot crosses the finish line. A robot is deemed to have crossed the line when the forward most part of the robot contacts or crosses over the line.
1.3. Time Limit
A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed for a robot to complete the course.
For the Line Follower will be a 180 minutes time limit. In this time limit the robots must make 3 attempts to finish the course.
After a 10 minutes break, will start the eliminatory phase, with the best 8, 16 or 32 robots.
After a 10 minutes break, will start the eliminatory phase, with the best 8, 16 or 32 robots.
1.4. Timekeeping
Time shall be measured by an electronic gate system or by a judge with a stopwatch, based on the availability of equipment. In either case the recorded time shall be final.
The final classification will be made using the best time for each robot.
1.5. Autonomous Control
Once a robot has crossed the starting line it must remain fully autonomous, or it will be disqualified.
It is not allowed to touch the robot, except the case when the robot exits from the competition area and it must be stopped.
1.6. Aim of the Game
Important!!! One person can be operator for maximum 2 robots.
A. The challenge will have 3 stages:
1. Calibration stage
It will be held in the day before the competition and in the competition day after check-in until the competition starts.
2. Qualification stage
a. In this stage the robots have 3 time slots, each slot has a 60 minutes time limit.
b. In each slot a robot have the right to make only one attempt to finish the course.
c. Each robot has in total 3 attempts.
c. Each robot has in total 3 attempts.
d. If one robot will not come to make his attempt in one slot, he loses the right to do it. There are not allowed two attempts in one slot, except the case when the robot loses the line, in this case it is allowed one restart.
e. The final classification will be made taking in consideration the best time for each robot.
3. Eliminatory stage
a. The best 8 or 16 robots will enter this stage.
b. The robots that will enter in this stage will compete 1 on 1 in a pyramid.
c. One match will have maximum 3 rounds. Each round will have the following system:
- robot 1 will make his attempt, followed by the robot 2. The robot with the best time will won first round and he will have one point.
- if in the second round the other robot wins, there will be a third round which will decide the winner.
d. The rounds are one after the other without brakes, exception are mechanical problems.
e. Between rounds there are not allowed breaks for programming the robot.
Ex: robot 1 has the best time and he will have 1 point. At the second round the robot 2 will have the best time (we will have the score 1 - 1). In this case, there will be the 3rd round and the robot with the best time will advance.
f. The best 4 robots will compete in semifinals and finals using the same system 2 attempts of 3.
B. No objections shall be declared against the judges' decisions. If there are any objections the team can be disqualified from that match.
C. Until the homologation, all the teams will stay in the room reserved for them (the room will be marked in the area map from the team’s folder). Each challenge will have a room. The teams can leave the room only when they are called to the competition area. Each team will be called by a competition official, when they need to go to the waiting area which is near the competition area (details in appendix 1).
D. After the homologation the teams, which will follow at start, will remain at the competition area, in the waiting area. The teams will leave this area only if the referee agrees, or only for repairs and they must return in the time set by the referee. If the team doesn’t return at the first call they will lose the trial.
E. After a trial is over, the teams must return in the room reserved for them.
F. Each team has the responsibility to follow the starting grid (schedule), displayed on the website and in the teams room. PLEASE DON’T BE LATE, WE WILL NOT WAIT!!!
If you are called to play and you don't come in 5 minutes the robot is desqulified.
G. If it is the case when only 3 robots finish the course after the qualification stage, the classification will be final and the best time will win
1.7. Losing the Line
Any robot that loses the line course must restart from the start position. If the robot loses the line for the second time will receive the time of 3 minutes. All attempts have the right to one restart if the robot losses the line
1.8. Course Specifications
The line following course shall traverse a white rectangle. The line shall be black, 15 mm wide. There shall be a start / finish line and an electronic gate to measure the time.
1.9. Characteristics of the line course:
A. There shall be no crossovers (e.g. places where the line crosses itself)4
B. Switchbacks and hairpins are possible, but the adjacent sections of the line shall be no closer together than 15 cm when measured from the center of each line.
C. The closest approach of the line course to the edges of the arena shall be no less than 15 cm, measured from the center of the line.
D. The minimal curve radius is 7.5 cm.
E. Sharp angles may occur, but will not be smaller than 90°.
1.10. Power of Officials
The decisions of all officials regarding these rules and the conduct of the event shall be final.
2. Homologation
Each team will have to pass the homologation stage, in order to participate with theirs robots in the competition.
The stages of homologation process are:
A. Checking the robot dimensions by placing a 25 cm x 25 cm (250mm x 250mm) box/frame, bottomless, over the robot.
B. Weighing the robot on a digital scale. The maximum value must be 1kg (1000g).
C. The robot must not be able to pick up and hold a standard A4 paper (80 g/m2) for more than two seconds. The robots will be rechecked in any moment of the competition.
D. The robot will not be restrained after homologation.
E. After approval the first team will remain in the waiting area. The rest of the teams will return to the room reserved for them.
F. It will be checked if the number exists on the outer casing of the robot.
3. Declaring Objections
A. No objections shall be declared against the judges' decisions.
B. 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.
C. Any regulations matter will be discussed with the ETTI Robochallenge organizators or with the referee’s.
D. If there are any complains or there is a serious misconduct they will be discussed with the ETTI Robochallenge organizators or with the referee’s.
4. 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.
5. Liability
A. 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.
B. The RoboChallenge 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.
APPENDIX 1
Team’s folder will have the following items:
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The numbers for each robot
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The participations diplomas for the team members
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The badges for the team members
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Informations regarding the rooms reserved for the teams and the competition area map
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Promotional
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Explanation regarding how the groups are formed
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The map for the teams room and the competition areas
