SUMO ROBOT RULES adopted by RoboGames.net
*Some rules might be modified due to unseeing changes in future
LAST UPDATE: March 7， 2021
Article 1: Definition of the Sumo Match
A match is fought between two teams, each team having one or more contestants. Only one team member may approach the ring; other team members must watch from the audience. In accordance with the game rules (hereafter referred to as “these rules”,) each team competes on a sumo ring with a robot that they have constructed themselves to the specifications in Section 3. The match starts at the judge’s command and continuous until a contestant earns two wins. The judge determines the winner of the match.
Article 2: Requirements for Sumo Ring
A 86 cm circle that has a 1 cm white perimeter on black board.
Article 3: Robot Specifications
- A robot must fit within a 45 cm x 45 cm cube. A robot may expand in size after a match begins, but must not physically separate into pieces, and must remain a single centralized robot. Robots violating these restrictions shall lose the match. Robot parts with a total mass of less than 5 grams falling off from a robot’s body shall not cause the loss of match.
- All Robots must be autonomous.
- The robot must have a name or number for registration purposes. Display this name or number on your robot to allow spectators and officials to identify your robot.
Article 4: Robot Restrictions
- Jamming devices, such as IR LEDs intended to saturate the opponents IR sensors, are not allowed.
- Parts that could break or damage the ring are not allowed. Normal pushes and bangs are not considered intent to damage.
- Devices that can store liquid, powder, gas or other substances for throwing at the opponent are not allowed.
- Any flaming devices are not allowed.
- Devices that throw things at your opponent are not allowed.
- Sticky substances to improve traction are not allowed. Tires and other components of the robot in contact with the ring must not be able to pick up and hold a standard 3″x5″ index card for more than two seconds.
- All edges, including but not limited to the front scoop, must not be sharp enough to scratch or damage the ring, or players. In general, edges with a radius of greater than .005″, as would be obtained with a unsharpened .010″ thick metal strip, should be ok. Judges or competition officials may require edges that they deem too sharp to be covered with a piece of tape.
- All permanent attachment or damage to the given robot is not allowed, include but not limited to: drill hole, sanding, cutting the PCB board and mother board, using superglue to attach any external parts, etc.
Article 5: How to Carry Sumo Matches
- Except for final match, all other match shall consist of 3 rounds, each with a max length of 3 minutes, unless extended by the judges.
- The team who wins two rounds wins the match.
- When the match is not won by either team within the time limit the winner/loser of the match will be decided by judges upon a majority vote.
- For first two round, one of the team with place the robot first, and the other team will decide later.
- For the final round, both team will decide the position and facing of the robot and without knowing the opponent’s team’s decision.
- The final match decides the champin will consist 5 rounds, the team wins three rounds wins the match.
- For first four round of final match, each team will take turns and choose the location and orientation of their robot as Article 5 Rule #4, the final round will follow the same rule as Article 5 Rule #5.
Artivle 6: Victory
When judges’ decision is called for to decide the winner, the following points will be taken into considerations:
- Which robot is completely out of the circle or pushed to the point of being unable to deliberately return.
- Technical merits in movement and operation of a robot
- Penalty points during the match
- Attitude of the players during the match
- The match shall be stopped, and a rematch started under the following conditions:
o The robots are entangled or orbiting each other with no perceivable progress for five seconds. If it is unclear whether progress is being made or not, the judge can extend the time limit for observable progress for up to 30 seconds.
o Both robots move, without making progress, or stop (at the exact same time) and stay stopped for five seconds without touching each other. However, if one robot stops it’s movement first, after five seconds it will be declared as not having the will to fight. In this case the opponent shall receive a win, even if the opponent also stops. If both robots are moving and it isn’t clear if progress is being made or not, the judge can extend the time limit up to 30 seconds.
o If both robots cross the outside of the ring at about the same time, and it can not be determined which touched first, a rematch is called.