Short description
Two robots race in parallel on identical straight lanes. Each robot must follow the guide line on its lane, cross the finish line first, and stop inside the stop box.
1. Eligibility and format
- Open competition: teams of one or more members.
- All matches are 1-on-1, best of 3 heats. First to 2 points wins the match.
- Group stage: short round-robin within each group, 1v1 heats.
- Advancement: the top 2 teams from each group advance.
- Knockout stage: single-elimination 1v1 bracket until a champion is determined.
Tiebreakers in groups (order applied)
- Head-to-head result among tied robots.
- Heat differential (heats won − heats lost) in group matches.
- Best official time recorded in the group.
- Cointoss supervised by officials if still tied.
Seeding for knockouts
- Seed by group placement: 1A vs 2B, 1B vs 2A, etc., avoiding same-group rematches in the first round where possible.
Important: One person may operate a maximum of 2 robots for the entire event.
2. Robot requirements
2.1 Size and mass
- Max footprint: 250 × 250 mm; max mass: 1000 g.
- Competition number provided by the organizer must be clearly visible on the shell.
2.2 Autonomy and start
- The robot must be fully autonomous after the start signal.
- Trigger via local button or approved start/stop module. No external intervention after start.
2.3 Traction and downforce
- Prohibited sticky substances. Any contact surface must not pick up and hold an A4 sheet (80 g/m²) for more than 2 s.
- Allowed airflow downforce (EDF/fan). Prohibited magnetic downforce.
2.4 Safety
- No elements that can damage the track or eject debris.
- Software emergency stop required; hardware kill recommended.
3. Track and specifications
- Two parallel, identical lanes, each with a 15 mm black guide line on a contrasting background.
- Lane length: 7.2 m ± 10% to the finish line; beyond the finish is a stop box of at least 0.5 m.
- Clear start/finish marks; electronic gates or referee stopwatch. Recorded times are final.
- Side guards or low walls may exist; using them intentionally for guidance is not allowed.
4. Match procedure
4.1 Staging and start
- On referee instruction, operators place robots simultaneously behind the start line.
- Start by light/countdown or referee command. False start (movement before the signal): the heat is awarded to the opponent.
4.2 Heat scoring
- 1 point to the team whose robot crosses the finish line first and fully stops inside the stop box.
- If neither robot stops correctly in the stop box, the heat is replayed.
- Exact tie at finish: timing/photo-finish prevails; if still indeterminate, replay.
4.3 Penalties & disqualifications
- Heat DQ for: leaving own lane, entering opponent lane, wall-guidance, stopping outside stop box, external intervention.
- Operator contact with the robot during a heat: heat DQ.
- Striking the physical end stop of the track: heat DQ.
4.4 Scheduling windows
- Group stage runs occur within a 90-minute window (may be extended). In the first half, every team must record at least one official run.
- Best official times from groups are used for seeding in the knockout bracket.
5. Homologation (technical inspection)
- Dimension check using a bottomless 250 × 250 mm frame.
- Weighing: max 1 kg.
- Traction test: A4 sheet must not remain attached > 2 s.
- Verify start/stop operation and emergency stop.
- Verify visible competition number.
After homologation the first queued teams remain in the waiting area; others return to the assigned room and follow the schedule.
6. Conduct and objections
- Referee decisions on rules and timing are final.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct, insults, or obstruction: warning, then match DQ.
- Alleged rule-application errors must be raised before the match ends to the competition committee.
7. Rule flexibility
Provided core principles are preserved, the organizer may adjust format, lane dimensions, number of heats, or timing windows, with prior publication and consistent application.
8. Liability
- Teams are responsible for the safety of their robots and liable for incidents caused by their members or robots.
- The organizer and staff are not responsible for damages arising from misuse of participant equipment.
