Hybrid Tournament  Overview

This is a TENTATIVE plan that is subject to change.  

Assumptions

• Number of teams competing: 32

• Teams are allowed eight people in the competition venue.  Eight MTI lanyards will be issued to each team.  They will be required for entry. 

• No outside spectators.  Supporters who are traveling with the team may enter the competition venue if they are wearing one of the team's MTI lanyards. 

• No team pits

Masking Policy - updated 7/28/21:

Due to the latest recommendations from the Center for Disease Control all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth while in the tournament space.  Guidance on acceptable masks can be found HERE.

Venue Details

• The MTI 2021 will take place at the Westin Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel

• The MTI will take place in Salon 1+2 (Competition Area), the Pre Function space and Salon 3 (Inspection/Practice Field area) as shown HERE 

Hotel Accommodations

• Out of state teams and their supporters are strongly encouraged to stay on site at the Westin Hotel.  There is a MTI block of rooms being held for attendees.  Advantages are:

  • A place to take a break and tune your robot.  Matches will run in blocks.  There will be longer gaps between your team’s match play than typical FTC tournaments and there will be no team pits. 

  • Remote Judge Interviews for award nominees start at 4:00 pm on Saturday.  Having a hotel room on site to use for your team’s interview will make it easier.

  • Team players/mentors above the current numbers allowed in the competition area can stay at the hotel.  They can watch the matches over live stream.  They can support their team from outside of the competition area by assisting with robot tune ups, participate in the remote judging interview, and so on. 

  • There is no need to rent a vehicle for teams flying into BWI Airport. The Westin has a free hotel airport shuttle.  

Robot Inspections

• Inspections will take place immediately before a team’s first round of matches

• Robots that are modified significantly after the initial inspection will need to be re-inspected

Matches

• There are two competition fields

• Each team plays three matches in 30 minutes

• Teams have a different partner for each match

• Teams have three rounds of matches for a total of nine matches over the course of two days

• Matches are live streamed

• Match schedules will be released at least one week prior to the competition so teams may collaborate with partners.  This is to make up for lack of team pits where this activity normally would occur.  

Judging

• Judging is remote and done over Zoom

• Teams competing for judged awards must submit the following:

  • A five minute video of their team’s presentation (this takes the place of the initial interviews with judges at a typical FTC competition)

  • A Robot Flyer

  • Software documentation (if competing for the software award)

• In order to determine what teams are nominated for awards the judges will review the items above plus watch a minimum of three MTI matches for each team

• Finalists for awards will have a remote interview with the award panel judges

  • Interviews are strictly question and answer (no presentations or prepared videos)

  • Teams may have their robot on hand for reference

Tentative Schedule

Saturday

7:30 am First group of eight teams arrive

7:50 am First group of eight teams begin inspection

9:00 am - 11:30 First Round of Matches

11:30 am -12:15 pm Lunch

12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Second Round of Matches

2:30 pm - Nominees for awards given their interview schedules

4:00 - 5:30 pm Remote Interviews for Award Finalists

Sunday

8:30 am - 11:00 am Third Round of Matches

11:00 am - 12:45 pm Break/Lunch

1:00 pm Alliance Selection

1:30 pm Semi Finals/Finals

3:00 pm  Awards

Suggestions for improvements on this plan are welcome.  Direct them to mdtechinvitational@gmail.com