Robotics Challenge
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Home > Competitions/Exhibits > Tennessee State Competitions > Skills Competitions > Robotics Challenge
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: Free play 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Competition check-in begins at 12:00 and bouts begin at 1:00
Awards will be given at the end of all competitions.
Location: East-West Building
Pit Area and Wi-Fi available

The Robot Design

Robots may be any brand, designed and built by an individual or teams. Each age bracket will have a game that requires remote control and a game that requires autonomous coding. Bots may enter both contests if able to function in both modes. Teams/individuals with single function mode robots may enter two separate robots (one in each contest). The robot must meet the size and weight specifications of each event entered.

BOTS for 5th Grade and Under:

Construction, Weight and Size:

For all bots participating in the REMOTE CONTROL YAHTZEE, the maximum weight allowed is 4lbs. In addition, there are maximum size specifications:
  • Maximum Width: 18 inches
  • Maximum Length: 18 inches
  • Maximum Height: 18 inches
  • Maximum weight: 4 pounds. Robots will compete two at a time and will likely be in contact.
  • One brain per bot
  • Maximum motors: 6
  • All function for this game is remote control; however, it cannot be tethered during play.
For ROLL THE DICE - Autonomous Control

For all participating bots in the AUTONOMOUS ROLL THE DICE, there is no weight restriction since bots will compete one at a time and not be in contact with other competitors. The bots must be fully autonomous and self-contained. No transmitters or communication beacons (other than GPS) of any kind are allowed. You may NOT tether to a laptop or other device. Everything necessary for the vehicle's navigation/processing/sensing must be attached and part of the vehicle itself. Robots may have only 1 brain and no more than 6 motors.

Size limitations are:
  • Maximum Width: 12 inches
  • Maximum Length: 12 inches
  • Maximum Height: 12 inches
Please note that your bot will be checked for weight and size specifications as well as mobility before being admitted. You will be given the chance to modify your bot's weight and/or size if it exceeds the weight limit and/or the size limits. Bots that fail to meet these specifications by the end of the Check-In period will not be allowed to compete.

Failure to adhere to the following guidelines will result in disqualification:
Mechanical: Robots must be purely mechanical. No use of fluids, chemicals, etc. (aside from the batteries used to power the robot).
Dangerous: The robots must not contain parts that might be dangerous if the robot is picked up. For example, there should be no edges that are sharp enough to cut someone from casually picking up the robot.
Operation: The robot must not operate in a way that will have a significant chance of damaging another robot or a bystander.
Other constraints: No robot shall be at odds with the intent of good sportsmanship.
Construction: Bots may be ready made or built by contestants.

BOTS for 6th Grade thru Adult

Construction Operational Mode, Weight and Size:

All robots should be designed and built by an individual or team. The competition category for teams will be determined by the grade level of the oldest member. See below for design guidelines for each game:

Autonomous & Remote Play - Noodles & Meatballs
  • Maximum width: 18 inches
  • Maximum length: 18 inches
  • Maximum height: 18 inches at the start
  • No weight restriction since robots will not be in contact with competitors
  • One brain per bot
  • Maximum motors: 6
  • Phase I of competition is autonomous and Phase II is remote controlled. No tethers allowed and transmitters only allowed during the remote phase.
Remote Control Play - Yahtzee
  • Maximum width: 18 inches
  • Maximum length: 18 inches
  • Maximum height: 18 inches
  • Maximum weight: 4 pounds. Robots will compete two at a time and will likely be in contact.
  • One brain per bot
  • Maximum motors: 6
  • All function for this game is remote control; however, it cannot be tethered during play.
Please note that your bot will be checked for weight and size specifications as well as mobility before being admitted. You will be given the chance to modify your bot's weight and/or size if it exceeds the limits, providing it is completed before the start of competition for your bracket.. Bots that fail to meet these specifications will not be allowed to compete.

Course Dimensions and Game Design

5th Grade and Under - Autonomous

Course Picture

Course Picture

Roll The Dice

Robots may be designed and built by individual or teams. The robot must function as an autonomous vehicle (no remote control allowed). A successful run is one where the vehicle navigates from a starting line and pushes or carries up to 4 foam dice, measuring 2 1/4 inches into either 7in x 7in marked corner zones and then returns to the start/finish line to park within 2 minutes. Bonus point may be awarded if bots can compete special skill during the run, such as but not limited to sounds, lights or dance. Contestants can earn bonus points even if they are unable to complete the run during the time limit.
Course Layout

Course Layout

Scoring - Contestants will run one at a time. Robot may be placed anywhere behind the start/finish line to launch. Time will begin when bot crosses the start line. Time allowed for this contest is 3 minutes. Bots may be picked up and restarted: 1st time=no penalty, 2nd time=25-point deduction. Dice (2 1/4" foam) may be placed in either goal area but must end up fully inside the goal boundary.
Points:
10 - Demonstration of a special skill (possible examples sounds, lights, dance moves)
25 - For each successful foam dice placed inside one of the 7-inch x 7-inch corner goals
25 - For ending the round with bot stopping behind the start/finish line

Each bot will make 2 runs and scores will be combined. If there are ties among the top scoring teams/individuals, there will be a 3rd tie breaker round to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.

The Team/Individual with the highest score will be awarded TOP BOT trophy.

Download Registration Form

Remote Control - All Age Brackets

Yahtzee

Description
Two robots will compete head-to-head on the game field. First round pairings will be done by drawing numbers. Robots will launch from diagonally opposite corners. Thirty 2.5" foam dice will be spilled into the center of the game field. Robots will move dice into their safe zone to create sets: 3 of a kind, 4 of a kind, full house, straight (series of 5), 5 of a kind, within a two minute time limit. Participants we be giving 1 minute to collect dice to form their sets. They may not steal any blocks that are behind the safe zone line of their opponent. Blocks are not considered safe and may not be used in sets if any portion of the block it touching the safe line at the end of the 1 minute collection period. Dice may NOT be flipped by the robot to attempt to gain a needed value. Participants may not purposefully hoard dice to prevent their opponent from collecting. Teams will be given 1 additional minute to arrange their collected dice into legal sets listed above.

Course Design and Play

The field is a VEX Portable Competition Field Perimeter (276-8242) with VRC Anti-Static Tiles. Approximate internal dimensions are 140"x140"x12.25".

The Safe Zone will be a 5-inch strip along the wall at the back of the launch point. Entering the opponents Safe Zone will result in disqualification.

To launch, robots will be placed in diagonally opposite corners. Judge will drop 30 2.5" dice into the center of the playing field. Judge will start the bout with a 2-minute time limit. Bots will retrieve dice from the center to build scoring sets (see Scoring for a full description) within their Safe Zone. If the value needed is not showing, dice may be flipped by the robot to attempt to gain the needed value or return to the center to retrieve a die with the needed value. Dice may not be stolen once they are in the safe zone. Teams/Individuals may not hoard dice that are not being used in point sets. Point values will be tallied at the end of two-minute round. Dice that are sitting within the Safe Zone but not in a scoring set will result in a deduction of points equal to the value on the dice. The winner will advance to the next round of competition. Ties will be broken with a full reset one-minute tiebreaker round.

Scoring
3 of a Kind: Sum Total of the set of 3 matching dice
4 of a Kind: Sum Total of the set of 4 matching dice
Full House (a pair AND 3 of a kind): 30 points
Straight (sequence of 5 dice): 40 points
5 of a Kind: 5 matching dice: 50 points
Dice not in sets: point value deducted

Download Registration Form

Autonomous & Remote - 6th grade thru Adult

Noodles & Meatballs II

Description
Robots are to be designed and built by individual or teams. To access all available points, the robot should be able to function as an autonomous vehicle as well as a remote-control vehicle during the same game, and able to navigate the game course. The game will consist of 2 phases: Up to 2 minutes in autonomous mode (Phase I) and 2 additional minutes in remote control mode (Phase II). During Phase I, robots will have up to 2 minutes to move the noodles and/or meatballs of their choice to gain maximum points. Pickup points will be reloaded by game managers after each attempt. The robot driver may terminate their autonomous mode (Phase I) at any time during Phase I. If they choose to do so, the remaining time in Phase I will be forfeited, and Phase II will begin. Contestants can move noodles from any peg in Position A to any peg in Position B. During Phase I, a contestant can also choose to move the meatballs in autonomous mode. The meatballs can be pushed/thrown/carried into the box or the can. Once removed from cone, meatballs will be replaced before the next attempt. There is no limit to the number of points that can be earned during the autonomous phase. At the end of Phase I (whether by time limit or driver forfeit) drivers will change their robots into remote-control mode and begin the 2-minute Phase II time limit. Drivers must begin with retrieving meatballs and either depositing them into the corner box or into corner cans or any combination of these skills. Once all meatballs are moved to a box/can, contestants may continue to gain points, if time permits, by moving noodles from Position A pegs to Position B pegs (same process as in Phase I) using remote control. Robots that cannot perform any of the game moves will be disqualified. Robots that cease to function before the end of the time limit will post the points that were earned prior to the break down.

The Bot
  • Maximum width: 18 inches
  • Maximum length: 18 inches
  • Maximum height: 18 inches at the start
  • One brain per bot
  • Maximum motors: 6
  • Vehicles must be able to function in autonomous and remote control mode.
In addition to the size/design limitation, failure to adhere to the following guidelines will result in disqualification:
  • Mechanical: Robots must be purely mechanical. No use of fluids, chemical, etc. (aside from the batteries used to power the robot)
  • Dangerous: The robots must not contain parts that might be dangerous if the robot is picked up. No edges or functions that could damage another robot or injure a bystander!
  • Operation: The robot must not operate in a way that will have a significant chance of damaging another robot or bystander.
  • Interference: The robot must not interfere with the operation of other robots.
  • Other Constraints: No robot shall be at odds with the intent of good sportsmanship.
  • The Head Judge's decision is final. If you have a concern with some element of your robot, you must request a preliminary ruling so that adjustments may be made during the check-in period.

The Preparation
  1. Teams/Individuals are expected to make all the necessary measurements, adjustments and sensor readings before the event starts. If you need to wait for GPS lock or a setup routine, you will need to do this before the run begins. If you are not ready to bring your robot to the starting line when called, you will forfeit your run. There will be two rounds and competitors will be called in the same order for both rounds allowing time for repairs or adjustments between runs. Points from each run will be combined for total points.
  2. Allowances for unforeseen delays will be considered, but will be up to the contest judges. Please notify the judge immediately if you have an issue that prevents you from competing on schedule (repairs, bad code, gremlins, or dead batteries do not count.) Be prepared for anything.

Course Design and Play

Drawing Not To Scale

Drawing Not To Scale

Course Layout and Obstacle Breakdown (all measurements are approximate)

The field is a VEX Portable Competition Field Perimeter (276-8242) with VRC Anti-Static Tiles. Approximate internal dimensions are 140"x140"x12.25"

Each round of play will be 4 minutes in length. Two robots will complete simultaneously, each being on their own half of the field. The robot will begin in the R1 or R2 position. Robots will operate only in their half of the field, designated by the red dotted line (a physical barrier [2"x10"] will divide the playing field and prevent interference between robots.) Robots will score points completing a combination of two skills. One skill is removing noodles from pegs (1A or 2A depending on side) and transferring them to the opposite peg at 1B or 2B. (Identical programming from either start position. Pickup point to left of start, deposit point to right.) Points are awarded for removal of the noodle, placement of the noodle on the designated peg, or a lesser amount if in the area but not on a peg. The second skill is to move the "meatballs" by pushing/throwing into a box with a side opening or lifting/throwing the "meatball" into the basket with a top opening. Operators do not have to attempt all tasks to win but may wish to do so to earn maximum points (see scoring.)
Picture to the right is for reference only and is taken from the "6 O'Clock Position" with a robot in the "9 O'Clock Position"

  • Tiles are 23.5" from the point where 4 tiles meet to the next point.
  • Tiles on outside that are touching the wall will, lose .5" on any side touching the wall. For clarity: 6 tiles across, 4x 23.5" + 2x23" + 140" across from wall to wall.
  • Cones will be centered on corner of squares and touching side where appropriate.
  • Cones are 7" OD and 1.75" tall
  • Meatballs are ~ 2.5" dia
  • Noodles will be ~ 2.5" dia with 1" ID and 4" long
  • Pegs are arranged as follows:
    • From 12 and 6 O'Clock wall, first peg will be 7.5"
    • Next 3 pegs will be on 5" centers. For clarity, from wall, 7.5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 22.5" to 4" peg.
    • From 3 and 9 O'Clock wall, Pegs are ~59.5"
    • Top of peg is ~3" above mat surface
    • Box in corner is 11" deep and 10" square side opening
    • Basket in Corner is a 10" W x 7"D x 10"H can
    • 2"x10" barrier will run from 12 to 6 O'Clock, separating the field into two halves (dotted line in diagram). 2" white gaffers tape will run from 3 to 9 O'Clock (left to right in diagram) and will be placed at each tile seam.

Scoring

Points will be award as follows:
Phase I (P1) Phase II (P2)
1. For each noodle lifted off a pin on "A": P1 - 3pts, P2 - 2pts
a. For each noodle successfully moved from "A" to a pin on "B":
P1 - 4pts, P2 - 3pts
b. For each noodle deposited at B, not on pin: P1 - 2pts, P2 - 1pt
2. For each ball deposited in the box: P1 - 3pts, P2 - 2pts
3. For each ball lifted into the basket: P1 - 4pts, P2 - 3pts
4. In Phase I only, for each ball pushed of the cone but not deposited: 1pt
5. Bots that get off course may be returned to the starting position without penalty; however, clock will not be stopped or reset.

1st Place - $100 in each category
2nd Place - $75 in each category
3rd Place - $50 in each category

The Team/Individual with the highest score will be awarded TOP BOT, in each age bracket.

DOWNLOAD NOODLES & MEATBALLS PREREGISTRATION FORM

Various Rules:

In addition to the main set of rules, there are a few other rules that must be recognized for the safety and fairness of all participants:
  • Intentional damage or alteration of the arena's surface is prohibited. Mechanisms on your bot that can harm or alter the arena's surface are prohibited; any bot that the judge deems harmful to the arena will be disqualified.
  • Intentional damage to the opponent robot or the robot arena is prohibited. Everything from flame-throwers, to sharp objects, to liquids, to bombs are absolutely and entirely prohibited.
  • Your bot may not intentionally drop any piece(s) or any other object on the arena's surface. Anything that may be dropped on the arena, intentionally or unintentionally, will be immediately removed. Note that pieces that accidentally come off the robot and land off of the arena do constitute the robot leaving the arena.
  • Electronic interference is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, flooding the arena with infrared rays, or broadcasting other electromagnetic interference.
  • All participating bots must possess a form of mobility and use that mobility during play. Immobile bots will not be admitted, and bots that do not use their mobility during match play will be termed disabled and removed from play.
  • A false start in a match (pushing the wrong button on your robot or beginning too soon) will result in a restart for the first fault. A second false start will result in forfeiting the round.
  • If, at any time, the judge decides that a participating bot should be removed, the judge has the right to disqualify that bot. This can be due to harmful violence, disregard for the rules, or any other reason that the judge declares.
These rules are subject to change for clarification. Please check for updates, posted here. Questions may be emailed to office@wilsoncountyfair.net
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