Combat Robots

Robot Rules

Construction

1. Size and Weight
   • Robots must fit into a 7"x7"x7" cube and may weigh no more than 666 grams.
2. Chassis
   • The chassis of the robot must be constructed primarily with cardboard.
   • No two active components may be connected by anything other than cardboard.
     • Active components include, but are not limited to, motors, servos, actuators, springs, or any device capable of providing torque or motion.
   • Cardboard for the robot chassis may not be layered with any other material other than cardboard using the approved adhesive.
3. Materials
   • All cardboard used for construction must come from one single-wall, C-flute box sized at 6"x6"x6", such as the one available here.
   • One 2" x 6" strip of masking tape is allowed.
   • Duct tape cannot be used.
4. Adhesive
   • Hot-melt and Elmer's-type glue are the only approved construction adhesives.
5. Paint
   • Robots are not allowed to be painted for this competition.

Weapons

1. Safety
   • All weapons musts be mechanically "safed" when outside the arena. Sharp edges must be protected with clearly visible cover, spinning weapons must be physically prevented from rotating, actuators for flame weapons must be locked into closed position, etc.
   • Competitors must be able to deactivate weapons remotely
   • All weapons must return to a safe state when transmitter signal is lost.
2. Disallowed Weapons
   • The following weapon types are not allow in competition:
     • Intentional entanglement devices
     • Intentional explosives
     • Untethered projectiles
       • Projectile tethers are limited to 12"
     • Liquid weapons
     • Electric discharge weapons
     • Any weapon determined by officials to pose a hazard to the arena or spectators

Electronics

1. Control
   • Robots may be radio controlled by an operator or may fight autonomously.
   • All autonomous robot competitors must be able to shut down the robot remotely.
2. Batteries
   • Batteries containing liquid acid or liquid electrolyte are not allowed.
   • Lithium-based batteries are allowed, but may have no more than three cells (3S) and may not exceed a capacity of 1500 mAh.

Competition Rules

Officials

Prior to competition, at least two but no more than three impartial officials shall be selected to act as judges. They will inspect all competitors' bots to ensure compliance with the stated regulations and will be responsible for any decisions that may arise during competition.

Format

1. Bracket
   • All competitors will be entered into a random bracket at the start of competition.
   • Competition shall be structured in one-on-one fights, with the winner advancing to the next round.
2. Winning a Fight
   • Competitors shall be granted a win under the following conditions:
     • Their opponent forfeits.
     • The opponent's bot is unable to move under its own power for ten continuous seconds.
     • The judges award victory to a competitor after a fight has reached its time limit.
3. Time Limit
   • Each fight shall be limited to 3 minutes.
4. Forfeiture
   • At any time during a fight, a competitor may call out "STOP STOP STOP" to forfeit. The fight will immediately end, and a win will be awarded to their opponent.
5. Repairs
   • Winners of a match will be allowed to use one half of a regulation box for repairs before their next fight.
   • Competitors are guaranteed 20 minutes between matches for repairs, charging, etc.

Arena

Size

The arena is 4ft x 4ft wide and roughly 2ft tall.

Construction

• The floor is plywood with a covering of sheet ABS.
• The walls are made of lexan, 2ft x 4ft.
• The lower 4" of the arena are a protective molding.
• The roof is comprised of hardware cloth with a 3/4" grid pattern.

Robot Kits

Several members have come up with a basic starter kit to make the drive system simple and affordable to robotics newbies and veterans alike. The kit includes a radio control receiver, but you will need to either purchase a transmitter or borrow one from CGW (we have several available for lending at competitions) to have a fully functioning bot.

CGW will offer complete kits before every tournament at cost. Before the last competition, they were priced at $40/kit.

Parts List

• FlySky 3-channel receiver
• 2WD Robotics Chassis Kit
• Arduino Pro Mini
• RioRand L298N H-Bridge Motor Driver

Assembly

Build tutorial video coming soon!

Arduino code is available on the GitHub repo. Use the simplified schematic as a guide for wiring each of the components up.