Steel War - ROBOWARS

Steel War - ROBOWARS

A Robot Combat Competition, Organised by Technical Council, IIITD

About Steel Breakdown - RoboWars

Step into the ultimate battleground of engineering and strategy! RoboWars challenges participants to design and build powerful wired or wireless robots capable of facing off in intense one-on-one combat. The competition follows a thrilling tournament format where bots aim to inflict maximum damage or push opponents out of the arena to score points. The team with the highest score emerges as the champion.

Event Highlights

• One-on-One Robot Combat
• Wired or Wireless Remote-Controlled Robots
• Two Weight Categories: 8 kg and 15 kg
• Team Size of 2-4 Members
• Cash Prize Pool of ₹80,000+

General Robot Specifications

• There are no restrictions on the length and breadth of the bot. The bot should have a maximum height of 4 feet at all times.
• There are two categories:
• 8 kg: The weight of the bot should be less than 8 kg (17.64 lbs).
• 15 kg: The weight of the bot should be less than 15 kg (33 lbs).
• The weight of adapters and the remote controller will not be included in these constraints.
• All pneumatic/hydraulic source tanks and batteries should be on the bot itself.
• The battery will be taken into consideration for the measurement of machine dimensions and weight.
• Maximum tolerance in weight of the bots will be (±0.2 kg).

Control Requirements

• The robot must be controlled by a wired/wireless controller; autonomous robots are not allowed.
• In case of a wireless controller:
• Ensure that transmission takes place through the arena boundaries.
• The robot's wireless system must have a way to change frequencies or coded channels to prevent radio conflicts.
• If you are using a self-built control system, you must first clear it with the Event Managers.
• Pairing must be done before the bot enters the arena.
• Toy radio systems are allowed at this event.
• Tethered control is not allowed.

Mobility

• Rolling on wheels, tracks, or the whole robot is allowed.
• Walking, such as with linearly actuated legs, is allowed.
• Jumping and hopping of the robot is not allowed.
• Restricted mobility methods include:
• Robots are not permitted to use rocket or jet propulsion methods, or exposed rotating aerofoils.
• The use of suction cups or glue diaphragms for securing the robots to the ring surface is not allowed.

Battery and Power

• The robot must be powered electrically only. The use of an internal combustion engine in any form is not allowed.
• On-board batteries must be sealed, immobilized-electrolyte types (such as gel cells, lithium, Ni-Cad, Ni-MH, or dry cells).
• Battery capacity should not exceed 5 minutes of runtime. (This is to ensure safety in case a bot is uncontrollable and it is unsafe to reach failsafe switches.) If not followed, the team may be disqualified.
• The electrical voltage between two points should not exceed 36V DC (8s LiPo battery) at any time. Participants will need to carry their own converters according to Indian requirements for standard power supply.
• All efforts should be made to protect battery terminals from a direct short and causing a battery fire. Failure to do so will result in direct disqualification.
• Using damaged batteries that are not leakproof may lead to disqualification.
• The onboard batteries should be secured with special care. If the judges find the battery to be insufficiently secured, the team will be immediately disqualified.
• Change of battery will not be allowed during the match.
• Only bots with onboard batteries will be allowed.
• The supply from the battery to all the weapons and power systems should qualify the following fail-safes:
• A manual disconnect (switch) that can be turned off without harming the user, i.e. there should not be any body parts or arms in the way of the switch.
• A manual emergency stop that can be triggered by the controller.
• This system will be tested in every match. Failure of switches will result in disqualification.
• During the competition, teams are advised to have at least one extra battery ready and charged so that they do not have to wait or suffer due to a discharged battery if they advance to the next level. Teams which do not show up during their allotted time will be disqualified.

Weapon Systems

• Robots can be fitted with any kind of magnetic arms, cutters, flippers, saws, lifting tools, spinning hammers, etc.
• You must not activate weapons in any way until the countdown reaches 0.
• The following weapons are not allowed:
• Projectiles of liquid (foam, liquefied gases)
• Some forms of flame retardant liquids
• Weapons that cause invisible damage (electrical weapons, RF jamming weapons, etc.)
• Spinning drums: Within 60 seconds of the energy being withdrawn, the drum must come to a complete stop using a self-contained braking system.
• Spring or flywheel loaded: Springs should not be loaded when the robot is out of the arena or testing area.
• All springs, flywheels and similar kinetic energy storage devices must reach a safe position when turned off from the controller.

Pneumatic

• The robot can use pneumatic devices actuated by pressurized non-flammable gases. The maximum allowed outlet nozzle pressure is 12 bar. The storage tank and pressure regulators used by teams need to be certified.
• Participants must be able to indicate the pressure used with an integrated or temporarily fitted pressure gauge. There should also be a provision to check the cylinder pressure on the bot.
• The entire pneumatic setup should be on-board; no external input (from outside the arena) can be given to the robot for the functioning of its pneumatic system.
• Participants must have a safe way of refilling the system and determining the on-board pressure.

Hydraulics

• A robot can use non-inflammable liquid to actuate hydraulic devices, like cylinders.
• All hydraulic components on-board must be securely mounted. Special care must be taken while mounting the pump, accumulator, and armor to ensure that if ruptured, direct fluid streams will not escape the robot.
• All hydraulic liquids are required to be non-corrosive and your device should be leak proof.
• The maximum allowed pressure is 12 bar.
• Participants must be able to indicate the pressure used with an integrated or temporarily fitted pressure gauge.
• The entire hydraulic setup should be on-board; no external input (from outside the arena) can be given to the robot for the functioning of its hydraulic system.

Team Specifications

• Team Size: Each team must consist of 2-4 participants (same college).
• Team Name: There must be a unique name for each team. ESYA Organizers reserve the right to deny entries from any group whose name they find to be unacceptable, insulting or contradictory. If the name of a team has been changed, organizers must be informed.
• Team Representative: At the time of registration on Unstop, each team must specify its team representative (leader). All relevant interactions between ESYA Organizers and the registered teams will be made through the team leader.
• At the time of registration, the group members must submit their valid contact details (phone number, email address, etc.).

Gameplay

• RoboWars' core idea is to fight with bots as teams till one remains. This remains the one and only judging criterion.
• Group stage matches will consist of a single round of 3-4 minutes of active fight time, exclusive of any time-outs.
• Robots cannot win by merely lifting their opponents. Organizers will allow lifting for a maximum of 20 seconds for each lift, and then the attacker robot will be instructed to release the opponent.
• If, after being instructed to do so, the attacker is unable to release, their robot will be penalized. The final decision remains in the hands of the Judges.
• A robot is declared victorious if its opponent(s) is/are immobilized.
• A robot will be declared immobile if it cannot display linear motion of at least one inch in 10 seconds.
• If all the robots remain mobile after the end of the round, the winner will be decided subjectively.
• A robot that is unsafe, as deemed by the judges, will be disqualified immediately, and in the knockout stage the opponent robot will be declared the winner.
• If two robots become entangled for any reason and become trapped within another robot, the competitors should make the timekeeper aware, the fight will be stopped, and the robots will be separated by the safest means.
• If a bot gets immobilized due to getting stuck in an awkward position or because of the arena, the fight will continue till the end.
• In any case of a tie, the bot with more visible damage will automatically lose.
• Players will be given the option to withdraw from the match after 30 seconds of playtime, if the team wishes to do so. The withdrawn team will automatically lose the match.
• Flags will be used for faster communication:
• White Flag means Withdrawn. Both teams need to stop their attacks at once. Failure from any side will lead to disqualification.
• Red Flag means Danger and all teams will be required to stop their bots at once. (This is a high priority flag and should be followed at all times. Failure will lead to disqualification.)
• Green Flag means runtime is resumed/started.
• Yellow Flag means no sufficient linear motion is seen in one of the bots. All teams will be required to show linear motion of at least 1 inch within 10 seconds. The team which fails to do so will lose.
• Blue Flag means both bots should be unstuck and separated within 20 seconds. Failure to do so by any team may lead to warnings.
• Black Flag is for disqualification (though we wish this should not happen).
• Checkered Flag means Game Over.
• RoboWars is an intensive game for both robots and teams. Therefore, for small violations we will give warnings instead. If, at any point of time, a team gets 2 warnings, at the time of the third warning either team will be disqualified or declared the losing team based on the circumstances.
• More gameplay regulations may be added. Therefore, all teams are requested to arrive at least one day before the event.

Arena Specifications

• The final decision on whether the arena will be rented or self-built will be communicated to registered teams.
• The arena will be made of mild steel with dimensions of 12ft x 12ft x 12ft (l x b x h).
• It will be at ground height.
• From the floor up to 4 feet there will be a metal kickplate.
• The rest of the enclosure will be made of a combination of wood, metal sheets and 10mm polycarbonate sheets. The drivers of both teams will stand on opposite sides of the stage and will be protected by the polycarbonate sheet.
• There will be a front viewing area which will also be covered with polycarbonate sheets. The rest of the stage will be covered with reinforced wood and metal, with a covered rooftop.
• Proper lighting arrangements will be made inside the arena and will be checked for glare and reflections.
• If the arena is badly damaged or deemed unfit during fighting, the fight will be halted and the arena will be repaired before continuing.

Prize Pool

• Cash Prize Pool: ₹80,000+
• Additional In-Kind Rewards and Credits

Prize distribution details will be announced closer to the event.

Accommodation

Accommodation support will be available for participants travelling from outside Delhi-NCR. Accommodation will be provided on a paid basis at a minimal subsidized cost. Further details regarding accommodation booking and payment will be shared with registered teams.

Safety Rules

• Special care should be taken to protect the on-board batteries and pneumatics; any robot without proper protection will not be allowed to compete.
• If you have a robot or weapon design that does not fit in this ruleset (even having some elements that are not mentioned as allowed/disallowed in this ruleset) or is in some way ambiguous, please contact the ESYA Team at the earliest. Safe innovation is always encouraged, but surprising the organizers with your brilliant exploitation of a loophole may cause your robot to be disqualified before it even competes.
• Each event has safety inspections. Your team will be allowed to compete at the sole discretion of the ESYA Events Team and Authorities, to whom, as a builder, you are obligated to disclose all operating principles and potential dangers to the inspection staff.
• Proper activation and deactivation of a robot is critical. Robots must be activated only in the arena, testing areas, or with the express consent of the event coordinators.
• All weapons must have a safety cover on any sharp edges.
• All participants build and operate robots at their own risk. Combat robotics is inherently dangerous. There is no amount of regulation that can encompass all the dangers involved. Please take care to not hurt yourself or others when building, testing and competing. Any kind of activity (repairing, battery handling, pneumatic systems, etc.) which may cause damage to the surroundings during the stay of the teams in the competition area should not be carried out without the consent of the organizers. Not following this rule will result in disqualification.
• All the resources provided by the organizers at the time of competition should be used only after the consent of the organizers.
• Once the robots enter the arena, no team member can enter the arena at any point of time. If a fight has to be halted midway and some change has to be made in the arena or to the condition of the robot(s), only the organizers are authorized to do so.

Important Note

Participants should operate their bot at their own risk and shall be responsible for any mishaps caused due to their negligence. The ESYA Team will enforce strict security measures during the event. Any security glitches found in the bot by the judges will result in immediate disqualification.

Note that this document may be updated at any instant, and teams not satisfying the latest rules can be barred from participating in RoboWars. However, we will inform the registered teams if this gets updated.