About the Event:

Witness the ultimate clash of engineering and strategy as 3 lb Beetleweight combat robots battle it out in a fierce competition. Equipped with spinning weapons, wedges, and flippers, these compact yet powerful machines push the limits of agility, durability, and precision. Prepare for an adrenaline-pumping spectacle where every match is a fight to the finish, and only the toughest robot emerges victorious!

Event Details: 

Design Specifications:

1. The Beetleweight category permits all kinds of weapons specified in the rulebook.

2. All the batteries should be on-board, only the weight of the remote controller will not be included.

3. The weight of the bot will be checked before and/or after every match. 

4. A bot can be in a ‘Cluster Bot’ formation. Each bot must meet the requirements described in this problem statement.

5. The tolerance provided for such a bot will be as follows

   • Normal weight allowance 1.360kg (3 lbs.)
   • Multi bots (Cluster bots) 1.360 + 0.453kg (3+1 lbs.)
   • Non-traditional motion bonus 1.360+0.453kg (3+1 lbs.)

6. Given one entry falls under the above said categories, then the max weight limit will be considered as 1.814 kg which is equivalent to 4lbs.

7. More than 51% of the weight should be dedicated to the main bot and 31% to the multi bot.

8. If a team is unable to get their multi bot ready, then they will be considered as normal weight class entry.

9. One of the bots in a multi-bot setup should be a weapon bot to be considered as an entry to the competition. 

10. Non Traditional Motion: 

    • Any robot that falls outside the definition of a ‘Traditional Motion System’ qualifies for the Non-Traditional Motion Bonus.
    • Traditional Motion Systems are classified as a robot that relies on rotational motion of a component in contact with the ground as its method of locomotion around the arena.
    • This includes all forms of wheels (round, non-circular, spoked, or offset-axis) as well as continuous tread, track or belt driven systems.
    • This also includes any robot that uses unpowered rotating objects (wheels, drums, rollers, ball bearings, etc.) as a means of friction reduction with the ground.
    • Anything other than these systems will be considered as Non-traditional motion systems.

Mobility:

All robots must have easily visible and controlled mobility in order to compete. Methods of mobility include the following: 

1. Rolling (wheels, tracks, or the whole robot). 

2. Non-wheeled robots have no rolling elements in contact with the floor and have no continuous rolling or Cam Operated motion in contact with the floor, either directly or via a linkage, but are not true walkers. Motion is continuous if continuous operation of the drive motor(s) produces continuous motion of the robot. Linear-actuated legs and novel non-wheeled drive systems are allowed under this category. 

3. Jumping and hopping are allowed (manually operated). However, the maximum height of any part of the machine should not exceed 2ft during any stage of its jumping/hopping, and any damage caused due to its mechanism as well as the arena is the team’s responsibility. 

4. Mobility methods that are not allowed: 

   • Flying (using airfoil, helium balloons, etc) is not allowed.
   • Robots should not secure themselves on the ring by using suction cups, etc.

5. Immobility criteria: 

   • Once the bot seems immobile, the judge/referee will ask to show movement twice. If no movement is shown after that, a countdown of 10 seconds will start for the bot.
   • Each call out for showing movement will be a 5 seconds time frame.
   • In the event of immobility lasting beyond 2 minutes and 41 seconds, it shall not be classified as a knockout.
   • A linear movement of 60 cm should be shown to not be considered immobile.

Robot Control Requirements:

1. All robots must be controlled through a wireless remote only, and all power supply must be onboard only. 

2. A kill switch is mandatory for all robots. 

3. Control must be exhibited over all of its functions and positions at all times and should be displayed even during matches as directed by the judges/organising team. 

4. Although Autonomous functions within the bot are acceptable, the controller must be able to remotely disable or override those functions at any time. Also, note that any damage due to this function is the responsibility of the team, and there must compulsorily be a manual emergency stop (E-stop) function that should be controlled from the radio controller to manually override the autonomous function in case of emergency. Such an emergency shall be declared by the judge. 

5. The team must have at least four frequency wireless remote-control circuits or two dual control circuits which may be interchanged before the start of the match to avoid frequency interference with other teams. Any instance of interference in the wireless system will not be considered for rematch or results. 

6. Remote control systems available in the market can be used, while nonstandard or self-made remote-control systems must first be approved by the organisers and the judges. 

7. The team should pair up the wireless remote with the robot before putting it into the arena. No extra time will be provided for pairing of transmitter and receiver once the robots are put inside the arena, and not connecting it prior to that may lead to disqualification. 

Battery and Power: 

1. The robot should be powered electrically only. Use of IC engines in any form is not allowed. Onboard batteries must be sealed and immobilised-electrolyte types of batteries should be used (such as gel cells, lithium, NiCad, NiMH, or dry cells). 

2. At any point in time, the electric voltage between any two points in the machine should not exceed 48V DC. Participants must bring their own converters for standard power supply according to Indian standards. All efforts must be made to protect battery terminals from a direct short as this would cause a battery fire, failure to do so will cause direct disqualification. In case of any emergency, the participants must stay calm and stay in their respective corners, the organisers will only be allowed inside the arena. 

3. Use of damaged, non-leak-proof batteries may lead to disqualification. 

4. Change of battery is not allowed during the match. 

Weapon Systems:

1. Robots can have any kind of magnetic weapons, cutters, flippers, saws, lifting devices, spinning hammers etc. as weapons (if they qualify the criteria mentioned below). 

2. All the weapons must have a safety cover over any sharp edges and a weapon lock to restrict the motion of the weapon when the bot is not in the arena. It should be removed only when the bot is ready on the arena. 

3. Spinning Weapons:

   • Spinning weapons must come to a halt within 60 seconds of the power being removed using a self-contained braking-system.
   • Spinning weapons must only be tested in the arena, failing to adhere to this rule will lead to disqualification of the robot.
     • Spring-Loaded or flywheels: The spring must always be free and unloaded, only during the match the spring must be loaded inside the arena.
     • Weapons causing invisible or internal damage like Radio jamming, tasers, tesla coils, or any other high-voltage device are not allowed
     • Any kind of Tethered or un-tethered projectiles and hammer or thwack bots are not allowed.
     • Flame based and inflammable liquid-based weapons and lasers are not allowed. Any kind of explosive or intentionally ignited solid or potentially ignitable solid, usage of IC engines, Hydraulic and other flammable devices are not allowed.
     • Weapons used for entangling other bots like nets, cables, glue etc. not allowed. In case such Weapons are used, the bot will be disqualified.

4. Arena Specifications:
   

   • Arena Dimensions: 8ft*8ft*8ft (length, breadth, height)
     
   • Protective Walls: All four sides are constructed from 6mm thick bulletproof polycarbonate to ensure maximum impact resistance

Rules for each round:

1. A Double elimination form of the tournament will be followed in the competition. 

2. The fixtures will be drawn by the judges in the presence of the organising team to ensure a fair process. This will be done using a chit system to assign opponents in the fixtures. 

3. Fixtures will not be changed under any circumstances. Any request to do so will not be entertained by the organising team. 

4. Match timings are absolute and under no circumstances will be extended unless it is the second final match. 

5. Match timings will not be preponed under any circumstances as well.

6. Please don't provide any excuse or arguments for not showing up on time because you have brought too many robots and you are unable to manage. Your entire team will be awarded 1 penalty point and forfeit for that match.

Match Frequency:

1. Each robot shall be given 30 minutes between matches (Organisers reserve the right to change this duration on the day of the competition). If the team fails to return, with the robot ready, to the pre-match staging area when called after the allotted time, the team will be forced to forfeit as per the discretion of the judges and organisers. 

2. Matches will be 3 minutes of active fight time exclusive of any time-outs. 

3. Participants are strictly prohibited from entering the arena between matches. If a bot ceases to function, it will be declared immobile. However, if the judges determine that the bots are stuck together and no movement is possible from either side, the housebot will intervene to separate them. Additionally, if a bot becomes stuck against the wall, one unstick attempt per match will be permitted and executed by the housebot.

4. Once a match has commenced, it will not be stopped under any circumstances, including fire, smoke, or other incidents, except in cases of a false start or a tap-out by a team. The match will only be halted if a team opts to tap out.

5. In the event of significant damage to the arena or any other critical situations, the judges or organisers hold the authority to decide whether the match should be restarted or terminated.

Pre-Match Protocols:

1. The robot should be ready, functional, and near the arena 30 minutes prior to the final call for the match. 

2. Participating teams must adhere to strict weight rules, ensuring that the bot's total weight remains within the specified limits at all times. 

3. Kill switch / U-link, radio failover, and weight limits are mandatory checks to be cleared by a team before the start of the match. 

Protocols during Match:

1. During the match, a maximum of 3 people will be allowed near the arena on the robot driver's stage. The rest of the team must stay away from the arena and in the proper place designated by the organising team. 

2. Participants are strictly prohibited from entering the arena under any circumstances. The organising team will address any mishap, and only after ensuring safety will teams be permitted to enter the arena to retrieve their robots. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of the match outcome, at the discretion of the organisers.

3. The Weapon and the Robot should start moving only after the countdown is fully completed. If it is started in between the countdown, the judges and the organising team have the right to restart the match. A penalty point will be awarded to the team who has made the false start as well. 

Post-match Protocols:

1. Judges may request teams to demonstrate the mobility and functionality of active weapons after the conclusion of a match if deemed necessary for determining the outcome, particularly in cases where the result is closely contested.

2. Upon completing the inspection, the judge/referee will announce the opening of the arena. 

3. Upon opening, the team should put the weapon lock first before turning off the kill switch. 

4. Any team found to be opening the top of the robot for manually turning off the robot by disconnecting the battery will be awarded 1 penalty point. 

5. Any team hitting the opponent after significant time passed after the announcement of the tap-out call will be awarded 2 penalty points.

Rules and Regulations: 

1. A team must consist of 5 members.

2. All the team members must be from the same college.

3. Participants must present a physical college ID card and PID to participate in the event.

4. Every team must have a unique name. The organising team reserves the right to reject entries from any team whose name it deems inappropriate, offensive, or conflicting. Organisers must be notified if a team changes its name. 

5. Each team must specify their team representative (leader) at the time of registration on the website. All important communications between the organising team and the registered teams will be done through the team representative. The team representative must submit valid contact details (phone no, email ID, etc.) at the time of registration. 

6. The robot's name cannot be changed during the whole course of the event. Any changes in the design should be informed to the coordinators/organising team. 

7. The robot's name and photo should be submitted during the registration. The submitted details will be cross-checked anytime during the entire course of the event.

8. If a team has more than one robot in a single category, they must be visually distinguishable, this shall be checked at the start of the tournament, and any deviation from the original shall not be allowed to participate.

9. Visual aspects, including colour schemes, decals, and other details, will be evaluated.

10. If a participating team is entering two bots in the same category, it's required that each bot has a distinct pilot, the same pilot cannot operate both bots. 

11. All participating teams must present an abstract of the bot along with the bot they are competing with, one, two, or many. 

12. All bots will be inspected according to the abstract submitted by the team and it should meet the specifications produced by the respective team. 

13. All participating teams must have their bots completely assembled 30 mins prior to the start of the competition.

14. The corners will be chosen through the fixtures directly. No coin toss or mutual understanding will be entertained in any case. 

15. Testing of bots within the arena is strictly prohibited without prior approval from the organising team or judges.

16. At least one of the members of the organising team or judge should be present while testing your bot. 

17. No weapon testing is to be done inside the pits.

18. The final weight verification will be conducted immediately before placing the bot in the arena. After the official weigh-in, team members are strictly prohibited from handling the bot.

19. The bot with the highest points will be considered the judges' choice. A panel of 2 judges will evaluate the match, and the bot selected by at least two judges will be declared the winner. 

20. The scorecards for all the matches will be public.

21. When a judge’s decision is required, a recording of the fight will be watched by a panel of judges. If both judges choose the same winner, that bot will win the fight. If the judges choose different winners, a third tiebreaker judge will watch the same recording of the fight and choose the winner. 

22. The decisions of the judges and the organisers are final and binding.

Judging Criteria:

A judge allocates 6 points to the competitors for each Control and Damage, and 5 points for Aggression. The bot with the highest total score is designated as the judges' choice. A panel of three judges will deliberate, and the bot selected by at least two judges will be declared the winner of the match.

When a judges’ decision is required, a recording of the fight will be reviewed by a panel of judges. If both judges select the same winner, that bot will be declared the winner of the fight. If the judges select different winners, a third tiebreaker judge will review the same recording and determine the winner.

1. Aggression:

   • The intensity and frequency of intentional attacks, preferably with an active weapon.
   • To score points here, the bot needs to make attacks that could conceivably affect the opponent.

2. Control:

   • Ability of the bot to dictate the match’s flow.
   • To score points here, a bot will be putting its opponent in a bad spot, like pinning it or getting it stuck.

3. Damage:

   • The condition of the opponent’s bot at the end of a match compared to how it started.
   • To score points here, a bot needs to hurt its opponent’s critical systems.

Appeal System:  

1. In case of an unfair match, any one of the 2 teams who played in that particular match can make an appeal to reconsider the decision. 

2. Each team is given only 1 appeal for the whole tournament. 

3. Once consumed, irrespective of whether the decision changed or not, the team will have no more appeals going forward in the tournament. 

4. Once an appeal has been called, all the judges will review the footage, hear the statements provided by the appellant once, and take their decision. 

5. The decision regarding the appeal will be communicated within 10 to 30 minutes of it being submitted.

6. There is no guarantee that the old winner will be changed. 

7. Following that, the judge’s decision will be final. 

Penalty System:

1. Penalty points are given to the team upon violation of rules followed in the tournament. 

2. A team can have a maximum of 3 penalty points before being considered as disqualified from the tournament. 

3. An appeal can be used for this as well. However, it will be consumed anyhow.

4. Penalty points are awarded according to the following criteria:

   • False start: - 1 point
   • Manually disconnecting the battery inside the arena without turning off the kill switch and weapon lock: - 1 point
   • Continued to hit the opponent more than once after the opponent has tapped out: - 2 points
   • Baseless arguments within teams or any other parties: - 1 or 2 points based on the severity of the situation
   • Violence or aggression shown outside the arena: - 3 points (No appeal can be used in this case).

Safety Rules:

1. Proper activation and deactivation of robots is critical. Robots must only be activated in the arena, testing areas, or with the expressed consent of the event coordinators.

2. In case of any accident/emergency, the organising team must be notified immediately. 

3. The organising team will take steps to mitigate the issue, please wait for the same. Please remain calm in such a situation and wait for assistance to arrive from the health centre.