AUTOBOT - 2014 Arena

General Guidelines

Welcome to the autonomous robotics event: “The AUTOBOT – 2014” presented by Academy Of Technology. With the ever-increasing level of difficulty experienced at the national level autonomous robotics competition, we AOTIANs present an intriguing challenge to our participants. We are confident enough to put you through an exciting competition. Come, participate and win your world!

The competition will comprise of two rounds. The qualifying candidates from the first round will compete against each other for the second round. 

Round One

Round one starts with the bots being placed at the starting position and switched “ON” at the referee’s signal. Then the robot must track the line completely autonomously and navigate through the track to reach the finish line. The track as seen in the illustration will comprise of curves, intersections, dashed lines and a dead end! The dead end is basically marked by a completely black patch. The robot is intended to detect the dead end and make an about turn to pick up the line

Round Two

The robot that qualifies in the first round has to compete in the second round. Round 2 starts with the bots being placed at the starting position and switched “ON” at the referee’s signal. Then the robot must track the line completely autonomously and navigate through the track to reach the finish line. The track comprises of intersections, zigzag paths, curved paths, right angled turns, and dashed paths. Four zones have been specified in the arena that carries score points.

RobotChallenge -   Line Follower Rules 

Note: All rules are subject to change prior notice. But we will try our best to maintain consistency.

Name of Event: AUTOBOT 2014

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. 

1.   General Requirements

1.1.  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.   

1.2.  Time Limit

A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed for a robot to complete the course. A robot that cannot complete the course in the allotted time shall be disqualified.

1.3.   Number of Trials

Each team will get a maximum of three trials of which the best (fastest) time will be counted.

1.4.  Autonomous Control

Once a robot has crossed the starting line, it must remain fully autonomous (i.e. no external controls!), or it will be disqualified.

1.5.  Timeouts

The team may ask for a timeout anywhere during their run in the competition, although the timer will not be paused during a timeout. A team may take a maximum of five timeouts during the three minute time slot allotted to them! (The Robot will be re-positioned at the point where it left the line)

1.6.  Restarts

The team may ask for a restart in which the team can do any hardware modifications if they require but they will not be allowed to change the code! (The Robot will be re-positioned at the Start of track by the volunteers). A team may take a maximum of two restarts.

1.7.   Losing the Line

In case a robot loses the line course, the team must ask for a timeout (Which would allow them to reposition their bots on the line from where it lost the track).

2.   Competition Rules

2.1        Field

1. The field is white sheet with area of 2 m².
2. The 15 mm wide line is printed on the white field with black ink.
3. Minimal turn radius of the line is 20 cm.
4. The line is surrounded by 25 cm of free space on both sides, except on cross-sections.
5. The Start and Finish graphics are only used for illustration purpose, so are the colored patches to denote the zones (Will not be there in the actual competition!).

2.2        Robot

1. Maximum measures of the robot must 20 x 20 x 20 cm and the maximum weight is 1 kg. (This is a stringent requirement and will be checked by volunteers during Robot registration)
2. Robot must cover the line all of the time, otherwise the trial is cancelled. 
3. Robot must not damage the field and not endanger the spectators.
4.  Using greater voltages than 24V is forbidden.
5. Robot must have start and stop button(s). 
6. You may use on board or off board power.
7. The Robot may use ready-made development board (such as Arduinos, AVR boards, etc). But ready-made robots will not be allowed in general. (Allowance of such ready-made bots will solely depend on the discretion of the Event Head!)

2.3        Organisation

1. There will be a testing arena (not identical to the actual!) where the participants will be allowed to test and calibrate their bots.
2. To be able to compete, the robot must be registered. The registration contains technical regulations check and marking the robot with a numbers sticker.
3. There are 2 hours for competing (making trials), the teams will be allocated a time slot for their trial.
4. Maximum lap time is 3 minutes. Exceeding this will cancel the trial.
5. The team may comprise of maximum four members (minimum two).
6. The referee solves the questions and the problems.
7. The decision of the event co-coordinator(s) and authorities’ in-charge will be final in all regards. 

  3.  Scoring Rules

Total score= Z + (180-t)-(30*r)-(10*p)-q

Where,       t= Total time taken in seconds.

                          r= Number of restarts.

                          p= Number of time-outs.

                          q=20 (if the bot fails to turn at the Dead End!)

                          Z = Zone Calculation

    Zone Calculation:

• If your robot crosses Zone 1 successfully then you are awarded 25 points.
• If your robot crosses Zone 2 successfully then you are awarded 25 points.
• If your robot crosses Zone 3 OR Zone 4 successfully then you are awarded 50 points .