1.
General
1.1. All participants build and operate
robots at their own risk. Combat robotics is dangerous. Please take care to not
hurt yourself or others when building, testing and competing.
1.2. If you have a robot or weapon design
that does not fit within the categories set forth in these rules or is in
someway ambiguous or borderline, please contact this event. Safe innovation is
always encouraged, but surprising the event staff with your brilliant exploitation
of a loophole may cause your robot to be disqualified before it ever competes.
1.3. Compliance with all event rules is
mandatory. It is expected that competitors will comply with the rules and
procedures of their own accord and not require constant policing.
1.4. Each event has safety inspections. It is
at their sole discretion that your robot is allowed to compete. As a builder
you are obligated to disclose all operating principles and potential dangers to
the inspection staff.
1.5.
Cardinal Safety Rules: Failure to comply
with any of the following rules will result in instant expulsion from the
event and possible barring from future competition.
1.5.1.
Radios
may not be turned on at or near events for any purpose without obtaining the
appropriate frequency clip or explicit permission from the event.
1.5.2.
Proper
activation and deactivation of robots is critical. Robots must only be
activated in the arena, testing areas, or with expressed consent of the safety
officials.
1.5.3.
All
robots must be able to be FULLY deactivated, which includes power to drive and
weaponry, in under 60 seconds by a manual disconnect.
1.5.4.
All
robots not in an arena or official testing area must be raised or blocked up in
a manner so that their wheels or legs cannot cause movement if the robot is turned
on.
1.5.5.
Locking
devices: Moving weapons that can cause damage or injury must have a clearly visible locking device in
place at all times when not in the arena. Locking devices must be
painted in neon orange or another high-visibility color. Locking devices must be clearly
capable to stopping, arresting or otherwise preventing harmful motion of the
weapon.
1.5.6.
It is expected that all builders
will follow basic safety practices during work on the robot at your pit station.
Please be alert and aware of your pit neighbors and people passing by.
2.
Weight Classes.
This event offers the listed weight classes in section
2.1.
There is a 100% weight bonus for true walkers. There is no weight bonus for
shufflers or other forms of locomotion other than walking - see 3.1.2 for
a definition of a walker.)
2.1.
Rolling |
Walking |
6 Kg |
12 Kg |
12 Kg |
25 Kg |
Other weight class Robots may
be permitted to operate as an exhibition-class demonstration only - at the
discretion of the event operator based on arena safety, but no organized competition
or prizes will be offered for classes other than listed at this first event.
Higher weight classes will be included in the competition at later
events.
Methods of mobility include:
3.1.1. Rolling (wheels, tracks or the whole robot)
3.1.2.
Walking (linear actuated legs
with no rolling or cam operated motion).
Robots are classified as "walker"
at the sole discretion of the Event Organizer, and are not subject to appeal. Contact
the Event Organizer if in doubt
3.1.3.
Shuffling
(rotational cam operated legs)
3.1.4.
Ground
effect air cushions (hovercrafts)
3.1.5.
Jumping
and hopping is allowed
3.1.6.
Flying (airfoil using, helium
balloons, ornithopters, etc.) is not allowed
4.
Robot control requirements:
4.1. Tele-operated robots must be radio
controlled by standard Hobby Radio Control Equipment, or use an approved custom
system as described in 4.4.3.
4.2. Tethered control is not allowed.
4.3. Pre 1991 non-narrow band radio systems
are not allowed.
4.4.
Radio system restrictions for this event
with weight and or weapon restrictions:
4.4.1.
Radio
systems that stop all motion in the robot (drive and weapons), when the
transmitter loses power or signal, are required for all robots with active
weapons or any robot over 6 Kg. (This may be inherent in the robots electrical
system or be part of programmed fail-safes in the radio.)
4.4.2.
All
robot radio systems must have a way to change frequencies or coded channels to
prevent radio conflicts. Having at least two frequencies or coded
channels available is recommended. Lack of extra frequencies
may result in a forfeit. Priority for frequency use will be allocated in order
of Entry registration.
4.4.3.
Non Standard or Home built control systems, must first be approved
by this event.
4.4.4. [not
applicable]
4.4.5. [deleted]
4.4.6.
All robots that are either: Larger
than 12 Kg’s must use a radio systems on the FM band,
or an approved custom control system.
4.5. This event recommends, but does
not require a separate power switch for the radio.
4.6. [not applicable]
4.7.
A Frequencies in Use/Channel List will be displayed
at the event.
5.
Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Robots:
Any robot that moves, seeks a target, or
activates weapons without human control is considered autonomous. If your robot has any autonomous features you are
required to contact this event before registration.
5.1. Autonomous robots must have a clearly
visible light for each autonomous subsystem that indicates whether or not it is
in autonomous mode, e.g. if your robot has two autonomous weapons it should
have two “autonomous mode” lights (this is separate from any power or radio
indicator lights used).
5.2. [not
applicable]
5.3. The autonomous functions of a robot must
have the capability of being remotely armed and disarmed. (This does not
include sensors, drive gyros, or closed loop motor controls.)
5.3.1.
While
disarmed, all autonomous functions must be disabled.
5.3.2.
When
first activated the robot must have no autonomous functions enabled, and all
autonomous functions must failsafe to off if there is loss of power or radio
signal.
5.3.3.
In case of damage to components that remotely disarm the robot,
the robots autonomous functions are required to automatically disarm within
one minute of the match length time after being armed.
6.
Batteries and Power
6.1. The only permitted batteries are ones
that cannot spill or spray any of their contents when damaged or inverted. This
means that standard automotive and motorcycle wet cell batteries are
prohibited. Examples of batteries that are permitted: gel cells, Hawkers, NiCads, NiMh, dry cells, AGM,
etc.
6.2. All onboard voltages above 48 Volts require
prior approval from this event. (It is understood that a charged battery's
initial voltage is above their nominal value)
6.3. All electrical power to weapons and
drive systems (systems that could cause potential human bodily injury) must
have a manual disconnect that can be activated within 15 seconds without
endangering the person turning it off. (E.g. No body parts in the way of
weapons or pinch points.) Shut down must
include a manually operated mechanical method of disconnecting the main
battery power, such as a suitable high current switch (Hella, Whyachi, etc) or
removable link. Relays may be used to control power, but there must also be a
mechanical disconnect. Please note that complete shut down time is specified in
section 1.5.3.
6.4. All efforts must be made to protect
battery terminals from a direct short and causing a battery fire.
6.5. If your robot uses a grounded chassis
you must have a switch capable of disconnecting this ground. ICE robots are excepted from this rule if there is no practical way to
isolate their grounding components.
6.6.
All Robots must have a light easily visible
from the outside of the robot that shows its main power is activated.
7.
Pneumatics
7.1. Example diagrams of typical pneumatic
systems in robots 12Kg or over:
7.1.1.
CO2 based systems
7.1.2.
High Pressure Air (HPA) based
systems
7.2. Robots in the 6Kg class or lighter are
exempt from the remaining rules in this section but must comply with the
following:
7.2.1.
You
must have a safe way of refilling the system and determining the pressure.
7.2.2.
Pressures
in the 6Kg or less robots are limited to 250psi.
7.2.3. [not
applicable]
7.2.4.
All
components must be used within the specs provided by the manufacturer or
supplier. If the specifications aren't available or reliable, then it will be
up to the EO to decide if the component is being used in a sufficiently safe
manner.
7.3. You must have a safe and secure method
of refilling your pneumatic system.
7.4. Pneumatic systems on board the robot
must only employ non-flammable, non-reactive gases (CO2, Nitrogen and air are
most common). It is not permissible to
use fiber wound pressure vessels with liquefied gasses like CO2 due to extreme
temperature cycling.
7.5. All pneumatic components on board a
robot must be securely mounted. Particular attention must be made to pressure
vessel mounting and armor to ensure that if ruptured it will not escape the
robot. (The terms 'pressure vessel, bottle, and source tank' are used
interchangeably)
7.6. All pneumatic components within the
robot must be rated or certified for AT LEAST the maximum pressure in that part
of the system. You may be required to show rating or certification
documentation on ANY component in your system.
7.7. All pressure vessels must be rated for
at least 120% of the pressure they are used at
and have a current hydro test date. (This is to give them a margin of safety if
damaged during a fight.) If large actuators, lines, or other components are
used at pressures above 250psi these will also need to be over-rated and
are required to be pre-approved for this event.
7.8. All primary pressure vessels must have
an over pressure device (burst/rupture disk or over pressure 'pop off') set to
no more than 130% of that pressure vessels rating. (Most commercially available
bottles come with the correct burst assemblies, use of these is encouraged)
7.9. If regulators or compressors are used
anywhere in the pneumatic system there must be an (additional) over pressure
device downstream of the regulator or compressor set for no more than 130% of
the lowest rated component in that part of the pneumatic system.
7.10.
All
pneumatic systems must have a manual main shut off valve to isolate the rest of
the system from the source tank. This valve must be easily accessed for robot
de activation and refilling.
7.11.
All
pneumatic systems must have a manual bleed valve downstream of the main shut
off valve to depressurize the system. This bleed valve must be easily accessed
for deactivation. This valve must be left OPEN whenever the robot is not in the
arena to ensure the system cannot operate accidentally.
7.11.1.
It
is required to be able to easily bleed all pressure in the robot before
exiting the arena. (You may be required to bleed the entire system if it is
believed that you have any damaged components.)
7.12.
All
pneumatic systems must have appropriate gauges scaled for maximum resolution of
the pressures in that part of the system.
(There must be gauges on both the high AND low-pressure sides of
regulators.)
7.13.
If
back check valves are used anywhere in the system you must ensure that any part
of the system they isolate can be bled and has an over pressure device.
7.14.
Any pneumatic system that does not use a regulator, or employs
heaters or pressure boosters, or pressures above 2500psi must be pre-qualified
with this event
7.15.
Please note that some pneumatic
systems with very low pressures (below 100 total PSI on board), small volumes
(12-16g CO2 cartridges), single firing applications, or pneumatics used for
internal actuation (as opposed to external weaponry) may not need to comply
with all the rules above. You are required to contact this event if you would like an exception.
8.
Hydraulics
8.1. Robots in the 6Kg class or lighter are
exempt from the remaining rules in this section, but good engineering and best
practices must be used in all hydraulic systems. However the pressure for 6 Kilogram
or less robots is limited to 250psi and there must be an easy way to determine
this pressure.
8.2. All hydraulic components onboard a robot
must be securely mounted. Particular attention must be made to pump and accumulator
mounting and armor to ensure that if ruptured direct fluid streams will not
escape the robot.
8.3. All hydraulic components within the
robot must be rated or certified for AT LEAST the maximum pressure in that part
of the system. You may be required to show rating or certification
documentation on ANY component in your system.
8.4. Any accumulators or large reservoir must
be rated for at least 120% of the pressure
they are used at. (This is to give them a margin of safety if damaged during a
fight)
8.5. All hydraulic systems must have an over
pressure by pass device set to no more than 130% of the lowest component
rating. It must be rated to bypass the full volume of the hydraulic pump.
8.6. All hydraulic systems must have a(n) accessible manual by pass valve(s) to easily render the
system harmless.
8.7. All hydraulic systems must have
appropriate gauges scaled for maximum resolution of the pressures in that part
of the system.
8.8. All hydraulic systems must use
non-flammable, non-corrosive fluid and must be designed not to leak when
inverted.
8.9. Any hydraulic system using
pressure boosters, or pressures above 5000psi (without accumulator) or
pressures above 2000psi (with accumulator) must be pre qualified by this event
8.10.
Please
note that some simple low pressure and volume hydraulic systems, like simple
braking, may not need to adhere to all the rules above. You are required to contact this event if
you would like an exception.
9.
Internal Combustion Engines
(ICE) / liquid fuels. [are presently NOT allowed]
for the preliminary event, ICE engines are NOT permitted in
the competition. This will change for later events as we upgrade the arena
and familiarize ourselves with the fire and unique hazards that ICE engines
present. For future reference, here are the applicable rules for ICE bots
9.1. Fuel and Fuel Lines
9.1.1.
All commercially available grades of automobile or RC hobby fuel
are allowed. Alcohol, Nitro-methane, jet fuel and other specialty fuels require
prior approval by the
Event.
9.1.2.
Fuel lines and tanks must be made of high quality materials and
all ends must be clamped securely.
9.1.3.
All fuel tanks and lines must be well protected and armored from
all sides including moving parts and heat sources inside the robot.
9.2. Fuel tank volume, on any
robot, shall not be greater than the amount required to operate the engine for
more than 1 minute longer than the match time at combat power plus a reasonable pre-match warm-up period. This volume
may not exceed 20 oz unless prior
approval is granted from this event.
9.3. The output of any engines
connected to weapons or drive systems must be coupled through a clutch which
will decouple the motor when it is at idle. (This does not include motors used
for generators and hydraulic pumps.)
9.4. All engines must turn off or return to
idle at loss of radio signal and turn off at loss of radio receiver
power.
9.5. All engines must have a
method of remotely shutting off.
9.6. Any robot with liquid fuel
and oil must be designed not to leak when inverted. (Minor oil leakage may be
tolerated, however if it affects the other robot or becomes a large cleanup
issue you may be called and the leaking robot will forfeit.)
9.7.
Use of engines
other than standard piston engines (i.e. turbines etc.) require prior approval at this event.
10.
Rotational weapons or full body spinning robots
10.1.
Spinning
weapons that can contact the outer arena walls during normal operation must be
pre-approved by the event. (Contact with an inner arena curb, or containment
wall is allowed and does not require prior permission.)
10.2.
Spinning weapons must come to
a full stop within 60 seconds of
the power being removed using a self-contained braking
system.
11.
Springs and flywheels
11.1.
Springs
used in robots in the 6 Kg class or smaller are excepted
from the rules in this section. However safe operation and good engineering are
always required.
11.2.
Any
large springs used for drive or weapon power must have a way of loading and
actuating the spring remotely under the robots power.
11.2.1.
Under
no circumstances must a large spring be loaded when the robot is out of the
arena or testing area.
11.2.2.
Small
springs like those used within switches or other small internal operations are excepted from this rule.
11.3.
Any
flywheel or similar kinetic energy storing device must not be spinning or
storing energy in any way unless inside the arena or testing area.
11.3.1.
There
must be a way of generating and dissipating the energy from the device remotely
under the robots power.
11.4.
All
springs, flywheels, and similar kinetic energy storing devices must fail to a
safe position on loss of radio contact or power.}
12. Forbidden Weapons and Materials.
The following weapons and materials are
absolutely forbidden from use:
12.1.
Weapons
designed to cause invisible damage to the other robot.
This includes but is not
limited to:
12.1.1.
Electrical
weapons not specifically allowed in the Special Weapons section 13.1
12.1.2.
RF
jamming equipment, etc.
12.1.3.
RF
noise generated by an IC engine. (use shielding around sparking components)
12.1.4.
EMF
fields from permanent or electro-magnets that affect another
robots electronics.
12.1.5.
Weapons
or defenses that stop combat completely of both (or more) robots. This includes
nets, tapes, strings, and entanglement devices not specifically allowed in the
Special Weapons section 13.2.
12.2.
Weapons
that require significant cleanup, or in some way damages the arena to require
repair for further matches. This includes but is not limited to:
12.2.1.
Liquid
weapons not specifically allowed in the Special Weapons section 13.3. (Also, a bot may
not have liquid that can spill out when the robot is superficially damaged.)
12.2.2.
Foams
and liquefied gasses
12.2.3.
Any
powders, sand, ball bearings and other dry chaff weapons not specifically
allowed in the Special Weapons section 13.4
12.3.
Un-tethered
Projectiles (see projectile description in Special Weapons section 13.5)
12.4.
Heat
and fire are forbidden as weapons. This includes, but is not limited to the
following:
12.4.1.
Heat
or fire weapons not specifically allowed in the Special Weapons section 13.6
12.4.2.
Flammable
liquids or gases
12.4.3.
Explosives
or flammable solids such as:
12.4.3.1. DOT Class C devices
12.4.3.2. Gunpowder / Cartridge Primers
12.4.3.3. Military Explosives, etc.
12.5.
Light
and smoke based weapons that impair the viewing of robots by an Entrant, Judge,
Official or Viewer. (You are allowed to physically engulf your opponent with
your robot however.) This includes, but is not limited to the following:
12.5.1.
Smoke
or dust weapons not specifically allowed in the Special Weapons section 13.7
12.5.2.
Lights
such as external lasers above ‘class I’ and
bright strobe lights which may blind the opponent.
12.6.
Hazardous or dangerous materials
are forbidden from use anywhere on a robot where they may contact humans,
or by way of the robot being damaged (within reason) contact humans.
13.
Special weapon descriptions allowed
at this event:
13.1.
Electrical weapons are NOT allowed at this event.
13.2.
Entangling
weapons are NOT allowed at this event.
13.3.
Liquid
weapons are NOT allowed at this event.
13.4.
Powdered
material or chaff weapons are NOT allowed at this event.
13.5.
Tethered
Projectiles ARE allowed at this event.
Tethered projectiles must have
a securely attached tether of sufficient strength to safely stop the projectile
at a distance of no more than 8 feet from the robot.
13.6.
Heat
and Fire are NOT allowed at this event.
13.6.1.
If
fire is allowed as an effect, the fuel must exit the robot and be ignited as a
gas. It cannot leave the robot is a
liquid or gelled form or use Oxidizers.
13.6.2.
Fire
Fuel types allowed are propane or butane. The maximum quantity allowed is 4oz
13.6.3.
The
Fuel tank must be as far from the outer amour of the robot as practicable and
be protected from heat sources within the robot.
13.6.4.
The
Ignition system must have a remote operated shut-off that allows the operators
to disable it using the radio control system.
13.7.
Small
Smoke Effects are allowed at this event.
13.7.1.
Small
smoke effects may be used, please contact the Event for prior approval.