2009 Competition rules

"NUball" (inspired by ChiBall)

Game play

Robots compete in threes, for 2 minute bouts

Each robot is assigned to a 5-sided playing area (pentagon) designated by a color, which becomes the robot's special color for that bout.

Colored foam "practice golf balls" are initially disposed as shown in the figure above.

Robots start at the middle of their long exterior wall.

Robots strive to get their own color balls out of the hexagon (+3 points for each ball of your color that winds up outside the hexagon).

Robots strive to prevent balls from remaining in their pentagon (-5 points for each ball of any color that remains in your pentagon).

Robots may throw the balls, or may roll them over a partition, but a robot may not put any part of itself over a partition. Blocking is allowed, consistent with not putting any part of a robot over a partition.

Balls that somehow remain balanced on a partition count as out of the hexagon. Balls that remain on a robot count as in that robot's pentagon.

To discourage hoarding and waiting to the end, a robot may handle (or capture, or intentionally be in contact with) only one ball at a time. Incidental contact with additional balls is not prohibited

At the end of a bout, robots are ranked 1st/2nd/3rd and given a bout score of 4/2/0. In the event of a tie, the distribution is 3/3/0 or 4/1/1 or 2/2/2.

Not every triple of robots will play. Seeding and bracketing methods have yet to be determined. (See proposed bracketing structure; attachments to this page)

Arena

The arena consists of three separate pentagons pushed together; thus, the partitions may have some slightly variable width and may not be exactly level or smooth on top.

All partitions are two inches high. All partitions walls interior to each pentagon will have a 2" strip of retroreflective tape.

Each pentagon is the maximum size that can be cut from a 4x8 sheet of plywood. The top surface will be smooth and wood colored.

To assist in navigation a 1/2" strip of black tape will be provided across each pentagon (as shown in the red area above).

Also to assist in navigation, a IR beacon with 38Khz modulation will be located in the center of the hexagon. Robots may not jam or compete with this signal. Anyone who wishes is welcome to reprogram the beacon for continuous 38KHz; right now it is chopped.

A short raised section of the exterior wall with reflective tape may be added, to serve as an additional point of reference. Anyone who wishes to do so may add this.

Robots

Teams may reprogram robots as often as desired. However your next match may be called (competitors announced and colors assigned) with only one minute warning before the start of the bout. Yes, you can throw switches using that information, or even reprogram, if you can do it in the one minute.

Robots must fit in a one foot square footprint. No height or weight limit.

Robots may not deploy arms or other appendages outside the square foot. Momentary excursions are not prohibited (as in throwing).

No use of fire or explosive materials. Compressed air may be used if pressures and materials are such that no hazard is created. This is intended to prevent CO2 cartridges and the like, but not to prevent using air to convey energy or move balls.

No use of fans to blow the balls around the arena.

Robots may not endanger the arena or other robots or people.

Rule bending is discouraged; if in doubt about the rules please seek clarification, which may be done privately.

There may be photographic flashes; be sure your robot is not susceptible.