Robowars 2.0

Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Open to student teams participating in the RoboWars 2.0 combat robotics competition.
• Team Size: Each team must have 2–10 members.
• Team Registration: Every team must register with a unique team name and nominate one Team Leader as the single point of communication.
• ID Requirement: All team members must carry a valid ID proof during the event.
• Robot Categories: Two weight categories are available:
• 8 kg category
• 15 kg category
• The maximum robot weight includes the chassis, armour, battery, weapons, electronics, fasteners, pneumatic source/tank, etc., with 5% tolerance.
• Only the remote controller is excluded from the weight calculation.
• There is no specified robot dimension restriction unless limited by arena space and safety.
• Cluster bots are not allowed; multiple robots cannot be used together.
• Robot Control: Robots must be controlled using a wireless remote controller, with all power sources onboard.
• Autonomous functions are permitted only when the controller can override or disable them at any time.
• A manual Emergency Stop (E Stop) must be available through the remote controller.
• Competition Format: The primary format is 1v1 combat. Resurrection and Rumble matches may also be conducted if announced by the organisers.
• Match Duration: Each match consists of 3 minutes of active fight time.
• Turnaround Time: Teams have 20 minutes to return ready for their next match after leaving post-match staging. Failure may result in a forfeit.
• Dates: RoboWars 2.0 is scheduled for 9th and 10th October 2026.

Competition Format:

One-on-One Match — 1v1:

Two robots compete against each other inside the enclosed arena.

Resurrection Match — Optional:

May be conducted if announced by the organisers.

Rumble Match — Optional:

Multiple robots (2+ robots simultaneously) may compete if announced by the organisers.

Objective:

Build a combat-ready robot capable of defeating opponents through strategy, mobility, and resilience. A team can win by immobilising the opponent or through judges' scoring.

Weapon Rules:

Allowed Weapons:

Subject to safety inspection:

• Magnetic devices
• Cutters
• Flippers
• Saws
• Lifters
• Wedges
• Spinning weapons
• Spinning hammers

Spinning weapons must comply with the specified braking and safety requirements. They must come to a complete stop within 60 seconds after power cut using a self-contained braking system.

Prohibited Weapons:

• Liquid/projectile-based weapons
• Inflammable liquids
• Electrical or other invisible damage weapons
• RF jammers
• Entangling weapons such as chains, ropes, or loose fabrics designed to trap opponents
• Flame-based weapons

Mobility Rules:

Allowed:

• Wheels
• Tracks
• Whole robot rolling
• Novel non-wheeled drive systems, provided they are safe and controllable
• Manual jumping/hopping, provided no part of the robot exceeds 6 ft in height at any stage.

Not Allowed:

• Flying mechanisms
• Airfoils, helium balloons, ornithopters, etc.
• Suction cups, glue, sticky treads, diaphragms, or similar mechanisms used to anchor the robot to the arena surface.

Battery & Power Rules:

• Robots must be electrically powered; IC engines are not allowed.
• Batteries must be onboard, sealed, and of a safe type.
• Maximum voltage: 36V DC between any two points at any time.
• Battery terminals must be protected against short circuits.
• Damaged or leaking batteries may lead to disqualification.
• Battery replacement is not allowed during a match.
• Teams should carry fully charged spare batteries.
• A manual disconnect switch and remote emergency stop capability are mandatory.

Match Rules & Victory Conditions:

• A robot wins when the opponent is immobilised.
• A robot is considered immobilised if it cannot demonstrate at least 1 inch of linear movement within 10 seconds, subject to the judges' final decision.
• If a robot is thrown out of the arena, the remaining robot is declared the winner if the arena supports ejection.
• An unsafe robot may be disqualified and declared the loser.
• Pinning/lifting is allowed for a maximum of 20 seconds per instance.
• A robot cannot win by pinning/lifting alone.
• Failure to release after the referee's instruction may result in disqualification.

Judging & Scoring:

If both robots remain mobile at the end of the match, judges determine the winner based on:

• Aggression: Deliberate and effective attacks.
• Control: Ability to attack weak points, accurate driving, and minimising damage.
• Damage: Reduction of the opponent's functionality or defensibility through deliberate actions.

The judges' decision is final and binding. Organisers may disqualify a robot from advancing if it is considered unsafe or unsuitable for the next round.

Safety Rules:

• Every robot must pass a safety inspection covering weight, battery, wiring, weapon safety, and E-stop.
• Robots may only be activated in the arena/test zone or with organiser approval.
• All weapons must have safety covers during transportation and in the pit area.
• No team member may enter the arena once robots have been placed inside.
• Unsafe behaviour, uninspected modifications, or rule violations may result in disqualification.

Disqualification Conditions:

A team/robot may be disqualified for:

• Illegal weapon systems or rule violations.
• Lack of E-stop or disconnect switch.
• Unsafe batteries, exposed terminals, or leaking/damaged batteries.
• Entering the arena during a match.
• Ignoring organiser instructions.
• Failure to return to the staging area with a ready robot within the allotted time.

Important: The organisers reserve the right to update the rules for safety or operational reasons. Teams are responsible for following the latest version of the rules.