Rules & Specifics

Show #101: “Robo-World Cup” Soccer Match

Overview: To design and build a robot in eight hours

that can compete in a soccer match under the following set of rules.

Robotic tasks: Your robot must be able to:

- move and locate a soccer ball

- grasp, contain and/or corral the soccer ball

- propel the soccer ball into a goal.

Specifics: You can only build one (1) robot to perform the task.

There will be seven (7) soccer balls in each team’s holding area. (A1 & B1)

Each soccer ball is approximately 6” in diameter.

You can only grasp/contain and shoot one (1) ball at a time.

You will have three minutes (3:00) to gather and shoot as many balls into the opponents net as possible.

Competition Area: See attached plan: For reference, look at the drawing with a left side (A) and a right side (B).

During the competition, your expert helper (Buzz or Brian) does count as a team member and can participate. They cannot, however, be the main controller of the robot.

Each team will occupy one ‘side’ and stand in their operating area to control their robot (VT1 & GT1).

One team member may stand next to the goal they’re shooting into to insure the balls stay in the goal once they’ve crossed the goal line. (VT2 & GT2)

One team member may stand next to their own goal to retrieve any balls shot out of and/or past the goal by the opposing team. (VT3 & GT3) Any of the aforementioned balls can be replaced in their holding area (A1 & B1) as bonus balls.

Movement/Shooting: Team robots will start on the opposite side of the competition center circle. (VR & GR)

Each team’s robot must return to their ball holding area (A1 & B1) to retrieve a ball and attempt to score on the opposing team’s goal. (VT & GT)

Each team’s robot must shoot the soccer balls from outside the (XX) line. If a team retrieves a ball inside the (XX) line, it must be brought outside the line to be shot.

Weight Limit: 120 lbs.

Dimensional Limit: 3’ x 3’ x 3’

Voltage Limit: 24 Volts

Operating Limits: Must be controlled autonomously and/or via remote – no tethers. You can choose to build the robot completely with remote control and/or incorporate autonomous aspects if you wish.

Robots cannot leave the field of play at any time.

Surprise

Household Item: During the design process, your team will be introduced to your Surprise Household Item. The team that uses the most functional parts will receive a ten second (0:10) head start in the competition.

Additional rules: No gas engines, electric power only.

Robots cannot be operated in a defensive manner. The object of the game is to score goals in the best way, not prevent the other team from succeeding.

Robots cannot be deliberately built or operated with the intention of making contact or destroying the opponent’s robot. If a team’s robot is operated in such a way to destroy or impede the other team’s robot from progressing or shooting soccer balls, a minimum of one (1) penalty shot will be awarded to the other team. Penalty shots are free attempts at the goal from outside the (XX) line. This decision is solely at discretion of the Producer.

Interaction: No human intervention is allowed during the competition with the following exceptions:

If a robot is tipped for any reason, a team member can right it.

If a robot is disabled for any reason, the competition will either take a time-out or the competition will be reset. This is solely the decision of the Producer.

ALL RULES / COMPETITION SPECIFICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME TO BEST SUIT THE TELEVISION SHOW. FINAL DECISION ON ALL RULES OF COMPETITION WILL FALL TO THE PRODUCER.