Opportunity brief
ThetaShift is a high-octane robotics challenge held as part of Techfest 2026-27. Participants must design and construct a manually controlled, wireless spherical robot built to navigate dynamic terrain, clear precision-based obstacles, and handle surprise course features. The top 5 teams from the Zonals round will qualify for the Grand Finale at the IIT Bombay campus from December 16–18, 2026
Key Rules & Technical Specifications:
- Bot Dimensions & Drive: Must be a wireless spherical bot with a diameter between 4 and 10 inches.
- Control Mechanism: Controlled manually via a joystick/remote or a mobile phone using 2.4GHz WiFi or Bluetooth. SSID format must follow TeamName_TF.
- Power Constraints: Onboard power supply only (≤ 24V DC for electric setups). A physical power-disconnect switch is mandatory.
- Build Constraints: No ready-made Lego parts (ready-made gear assemblies permitted). Spikes, abrasive materials, or adhesives damaging the track cause immediate disqualification.
Arena & Challenge Breakdown:
The 3x3m arena features 12 distinct terrain obstacles designed to test control, traction, and task execution:
- Terra Firma: Rock and sand path (50 Points)
- The Slalom Ridge: Triangular zig-zag barriers (30 Points)
- Sawtooth Ridge: Contiguous triangular speed bumps (30 Points)
- Infinity Circuit: Figure-8 path (60 Points)
- Domino Planks: Unevenly spaced rectangular planks (40 Points)
- Incline Overdrive: 10-degree incline ramp (40 Points)
- The Razor's Edge: Elevated 7-inch wide track without side barriers (60 Points)
- Freefall Hairpin: Downhill slope ending in an immediate 90-degree turn (70 Points)
- The Gridlock: Alternating block grid path (30 Points)
- The U-Turn: Strict U-turn maneuver (20 Points)
- Bulldozer Drive: Pushing a block across a line and exiting in reverse (50 Points)
- Surprise Obstacles: Confidential obstacles introduced during the Grand Finale.
Gameplay, Scoring & Time Limit:
- Time Limit: 6 minutes (360 seconds) per run. Each team gets 1 run.
- Scoring Formula: $\text{Total Score} = A + T - P$
- A: Task Points earned (Max 480 Points)
- T: Time Bonus = 240 - Time in seconds (for runs under 4 minutes; Max 100 Points)
- P: Penalties (10 points per arena violation or extra pause time)
- Pauses & Resets: Two 45-second and one 30-second technical pauses allowed. Off-track bots reset to the start of the current obstacle with a 10-point penalty.
Timeline & Rewards:
- Grand Finale: December 16–18, 2026 at IIT Bombay Campus.
- Certificates: Certificates of Excellence for the top 5 teams per zonal city and top 3 finale winners. Participation E-Certificates for teams crossing the benchmark score.