Micromouse Challenge

Overview

TechFEST'26 is North India's premier technical festival, organised by Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab. This is a paid opportunity with the early-bird packages mentioned below.

Select Your Registration Package

• Rs 299 Package (early bird, without accommodation)
• Participation in all technical and non-technical events of techFEST'26
• Participation certificate
• Rs 599 Package (early bird, with accommodation)
• Everything included in the Rs 299 package
• Hostel accommodation on campus (meal charges applicable as per institute norms)
• Registration is mandatory for participation. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

We cordially invite you to Margdarshak, organised as part of techFEST'26 — Annual Technical Festival of SLIET. Showcase your talent, compete with the sharpest minds, and earn your moment of glory.

About the Event

Micromouse is a robotics competition that challenges participants to design, build, and program a small autonomous robot — the "Micromouse" — capable of navigating a maze on its own. The goal is for the robot to find its way from a predefined starting position to the centre of the maze in the shortest possible time. The maze contains interconnected pathways with dead ends, turns, and multiple possible routes, demanding efficient real-time decision-making and navigation.

Problem Statement

Participants must design and build a fully autonomous Micromouse robot that can navigate an unknown maze efficiently. The robot must operate within defined size constraints and use onboard sensors and algorithms to make real-time decisions. The Micromouse should explore, map, and solve the maze autonomously, with the goal of achieving the minimum possible completion time.

Robot Design Specifications

Core Components:

• Drive motors for movement
• Sensors for detecting maze walls
• Control logic and onboard computation for maze-solving
• An onboard power supply, such as batteries

Size Limitations:

• Must not exceed 16 cm in length and 12 cm in width (recommended compact size).
• If the Micromouse changes shape during a run, its dimensions must remain within 16 cm × 16 cm.
• No restriction on height; preferably keep it within the maze size.

Self-Containment & Energy Source:

• Must be completely self-contained and must not use any form of remote control.
• Combustion-based energy sources are strictly prohibited.

Building Restrictions:

- Use of LEGO kits or any other pre-made construction kits is prohibited.

Integrity & Interaction with the Maze:

• Must not leave any part of itself inside the maze.
• Must not jump over, fly over, climb, scratch, cut, burn, mark, damage, or destroy the maze walls.

Maze Specification

• The maze consists of square cells (16 cm × 16 cm) with uniform construction.
• Maze walls have a thickness of 13 mm and a height of 8 cm.
• The entire maze is enclosed by an outer boundary wall.
• The starting point is located at one of the four corners; the starting cell has walls on three sides, with the open side facing north and outer walls on the west and south sides.

Event Structure & Match Format

Main Run (100 Points):

• Each team is allowed a maximum of two runs, with a 2-minute gap between them.
• The best time out of the two runs is considered the team's official score.
• A limited technical time will be provided in each run.

Valid Adjustments:

• Centring the bot if it gets stuck (limited).
• Restarting the bot from the previous cell.

Invalid Adjustments:

• Manually placing the bot on an adjacent or any other cell.
• Any manual intervention beyond the allowed adjustments may result in penalties or disqualification.
• If the maze is not completed, performance is evaluated on distance covered, purposefulness of movement versus random behaviour, and quality/stability of control during navigation.

Contest Rules

• All machines will be collected before the maze is revealed; after disclosure, handlers get 3 minutes for preparation.
• No additional information may be fed to the Micromouse after the maze is revealed.

Allowed Between Runs:

• Change switch settings to select algorithms.
• Replace batteries.
• Adjust and calibrate sensors.
• Change speed settings.
• Make minor repairs.
• Each team gets a total of 3 minutes of maze access per run, including adjustment time. The timer runs continuously, starting when the Micromouse crosses the start line and stopping at the finish line.
• Teams may use Flood Fill or any other suitable maze-solving algorithm.

Team Specifications & Eligibility

• Only undergraduate and graduate students from any field are eligible.
• Each team may consist of a maximum of four members.
• Participants must carry valid student ID cards from their institutions.
• Teams must bring their own batteries and supplies.

Rules and Regulations — General Rules

• All participants must carry a valid college ID card and their techFEST'26 registration receipt.
• Reporting time will be communicated to registered teams; late reporting may lead to walkover.
• The decision of the judges and organisers will be final and binding in all matters.
• Any form of misconduct, plagiarism, or use of unfair means leads to immediate disqualification.
• Participants are responsible for their own equipment and personal belongings.
• Organisers reserve the right to modify any rule/PS at any time; updates are announced at the venue.
• Each team may register only once; only the first submission is considered.
• Any rule violation results in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of prizes.
• A false start restarts the counter once; a repeat results in disqualification with no rematch.

Eligibility

• Open to students of all institutes and all degree programmes (unless specified otherwise in the event rules above).
• Participants must be registered for techFEST'26 through the official portal.
• Cross-college teams are welcome.

Why You Should Participate

Margdarshak is more than a competition — it is a platform to test your skills against the brightest minds from institutes across the region, learn from judges and mentors, and build memories that last far beyond the festival. Winners take home cash prizes, trophies, and certificates that strengthen their resumes, while every participant leaves with experience, exposure, and connections. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a first-timer, the arena at techFEST'26 welcomes you.

About the Festival — techFEST'26 at SLIET

techFEST'26 is the annual technical festival of Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab — a deemed-to-be university under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Established in 1989, accredited with Grade A by NAAC, SLIET spreads across a lush 451-acre campus with 11 departments and more than 5,000 students. With a legacy of over 28 years, techFEST'26 — themed 'Technology and Sciences for Sustainable Earth' — features 50+ events across 11 clubs and a total prize pool of Rs 5,00,000+, along with workshops, exhibitions, guest lectures, and a grand cultural evening.

Festival Highlights at techFEST'26

• 50+ technical, non-technical, and cultural events across 11 clubs
• Total prize pool worth Rs 5,00,000+
• Grand cultural evening and pro-shows
• Hands-on workshops, exhibitions, and expert guest lectures
• Early-bird registration packages for participants from all institutes

Accommodation and Meals

Participants opting for the Rs 599 package receive hostel accommodation on campus for the duration of the festival. Accommodation is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and meal charges are applicable as per institute norms (approximately Rs 50 per diet). All participants must carry their registration receipts and a valid college ID card at all times while on campus.

Code of Conduct

• Maintain discipline and decorum across the campus and all event venues.
• Indiscipline or misbehaviour with volunteers, organisers, or fellow participants leads to disqualification.
• Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicants is strictly prohibited on campus.
• Participants must not damage institute property; recovery costs may be charged.
• Organisers reserve the right to remove any participant violating the code of conduct.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

The registration fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances. In case an event is cancelled by the organisers, registered participants will be accommodated in an alternative event where feasible.

How to Prepare

Read the event rules above carefully and prepare accordingly. Carry your own stationery, chargers, and any personal equipment mentioned in the rules. Reach the venue at least 30 minutes before your reporting time, and follow the official techFEST'26 social media handles for last-minute updates and announcements.

How to Reach SLIET

Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology is located at Longowal, District Sangrur, Punjab — well connected by road and rail. The nearest railway stations are Dhuri and Sangrur; the institute is a short taxi/bus ride from either. Ample parking and signboards guide visitors to the festival venues inside the campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can participate in techFEST'26 events?
• Students of any institute and any degree programme can participate.
• Is accommodation available for outstation participants?
• Yes — the Rs 499 package provides on-campus hostel accommodation during the festival.
• Can students from different colleges form one team?
• Yes, cross-college teams are welcome in team events.
• Will participation certificates be provided?
• Yes, every registered participant receives a participation certificate; winners receive trophies, cash prizes, and certificates of merit.
• What if an event's timing clashes with another event I registered for?
• Inform the event organisers at the help desk; schedules are adjusted wherever possible.
• Do I need to bring my own equipment?
• Only where the event rules specify; everything else is provided by the organisers.
• Can I participate in multiple events during the festival?
• Yes — your single techFEST'26 registration covers participation across all events, subject to event schedules.

Indicative Event Day Schedule

• Reporting and verification: 30–45 minutes before the scheduled start
• Participants' briefing and rules walkthrough by the event head
• Competition rounds as described above, with short breaks between rounds
• Results announcement and prize distribution at the venue, shortly after judging

Exact timings for each event are shared with registered participants over email/SMS and at the help desk. Keep an eye on the official social media handles for the final schedule.

Awards and Recognition

Winners and runners-up receive trophies and cash prizes as per the prize details above, along with certificates of merit. All participants receive e-certificates of participation. Outstanding performers may also get the opportunity to be featured on the official techFEST'26 social media handles and be considered for future flagship events at SLIET.

Safety and Fair Play Policy

TechFEST'26 is committed to a safe, inclusive, and fair competition environment. Every event is supervised by faculty coordinators and trained student volunteers. First-aid support is available on campus throughout the festival. Any participant found violating safety instructions, tampering with equipment, or engaging in unfair practices will be disqualified and escorted out of the venue. Report any concern to the event head or the help desk immediately — your safety comes first.

Terms and Conditions

• Participation in techFEST'26 events implies acceptance of all the rules mentioned above.
• The organisers hold the right to use photographs and videos of the event for promotional purposes.
• Prize money is distributed after the completion of the festival, post verification of winners.
• In case of any dispute, the decision of the festival convenor shall be final and binding.
• All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of courts at Sangrur, Punjab.

Prepare yourself for a journey of technology, creativity, and celebration.

Mark your calendars and be part of the magic of techFEST'26 at SLIET!