Presented by Jim Boyd, State Event Supervisor

1
2010
Presented by Jim Boyd, State Event
Supervisor jboyd_at_newyorkscioly.org
2
Changes for 2010

• Maximum size of bot 40cm x 40cm
• Maximum mass of bot 2 kilograms
• Maximum voltage allowed inside bot 14.4 volts
• Impounded batteries restricted to batteries to
  power bot and/or transmitter
• Teams may be required to submit frequencies
  prior to competition
• Size of ring minimum of 4' x 4' and maximum of
  6' x 6'
• Bots may not damage the surface of the ring or
  deposit foreign substances on the surface of the
  ring

3
Changes for 2010

• Teams must reach a designated spot on the ring
  before they may initiate contact with their
  opponent
• No recharging facilities will be provided by
  Event Supervisor
• If a raised ring is used, maximum height of the
  ring will be 1 inch
• Once a team has removed their bot from impound,
  they may not file an appeal
• Tiebreakers
• Tiebreaking formula has been changed to the sum
  of losing times divided by the mass of the bot
  (high score wins)

4
Scoring Clarifications

• Ranking Teams
• As with all Double-Elimination tournaments, the
  last two teams to compete are the first and
  second place winners
• All other teams are ranked by the number of wins
• This year, mass of a bot plays a more important
  role in rankings - the heavier the bot, the lower
  your score for ranking with all other teams with
  the same number of wins
• Byes Teams should be limited to one bye,
  whenever possible

5
The Competition
Starting Box 1
60 cm
Point for Starting Box 2
Point for Starting Box 1
60 cm
Starting Box 2
6
Frequencies Interference

• Allowed frequencies 27 MHz, 49 MHz, 75 MHz, 2.4
  GHz
• 49 MHz has fallen out of favor - crystals may be
  impossible to find
• 2.4 GHz has fewer interference problems, but may
  have trouble with WiFi networks
• Please stress to parents and other team members
  that they cannot use cell phones, digital cameras
  or camcorders at the competition (10 point team
  penalty)
• Judges will do everything possible to eliminate
  interference however, understand that they can
  only react to things they see

7
Penalties

• Stalling The object of this event is to push
  your opponent out of the ring, not to avoid being
  pushed out. A team that spends time running from
  their opponent is not meeting the objective of
  the event. Any team that takes a defensive
  posture or is backing away continually for 15
  seconds will receive a Stalling Penalty. The
  first stalling penalty in a bout will result in a
  15 second penalty (15 seconds will be deducted
  from the total of their losing times when
  determining their rank). A second stalling
  penalty in the same bout will result in that team
  forfeiting the bout. The time used by a team to
  reach their designated point on the ring will not
  be considered for a stalling penalty unless they
  stop trying to reach their spot and begin taking
  evasive maneuvers from their opponent.

8
Penalties

• Teams may not turn to face their opponent or
  initiate contact with their opponent until (a)
  they have reached their designated point or (b)
  their opponent has initiated contact with them.
  Any team that initiates contact or turns to face
  their opponent before either reaching their spot
  or being attacked by the other bot will forfeit
  the bout.
• Because these penalties may have a serious
  impact on the outcome of the event, Event
  Supervisors are urged to have either 2 or 3
  judges for each ring, and these penalties should
  only be called when the majority of the judges
  for the ring agree that the team in question was
  guilty of the infraction.

9
Hints and Tips

• Reminder that only judges may call a time-out,
  and only for those reasons listed in the rules
  (to remove a piece of a bot that has fallen off,
  to issue a stalling warning, to move the bots
  closer together if they have not made contact
  after 45 seconds, or to restart if the bots
  become entangled and can't move). Students may
  not call a time-out.
• Only the judges can determine if a bot is out of
  the ring. Students yelling to their partner that
  they have the opponent out of the ring may cause
  a judge to inadvertently stop his stopwatch.
• If a raised ring is used, the bot is out of the
  ring when it is completely off the ring
• Keep in mind that the impound area may be
  limited when packing bot and tools and parts

10
Hints and Tips

• Students are responsible for knowing the
  standard frequency designation for their bots.
  If they use a bot that uses a non-standard
  designation, it is their job to determine the
  standard designation (try Goggling the
  non-standard designation).
• Build your bot early enough to have plenty of
  time to practice. The rules changes this year
  favor the lighter, better controlled bot over the
  heavier bot that uses brute force.
• Make sure that your bot and controller are
  turned OFF when the bot is in the impound area -
  you wont run the battery down and your bot wont
  be running around the impound area when other
  teams are competing

11
Hints and Tips

• Judges are human, too. If a judge makes an
  incorrect call, speak with them about it. If you
  arent satisfied with their response, speak to
  the Event Supervisor - but do so immediately.
  Its difficult to fix a problem if you have played
  another bout before complaining, and impossible
  to fix if you wait until all the other teams in
  your hour have left.
• Check the rules clarifications at
  http//www.newyorkscioly.org/SOPages/Clarification
  s.html frequently to make sure you are aware of
  all the clarifications that have been posted.
  Bring a copy of the clarifications page with you
  to the competition in case there is any concern
  about the judges following the rules.

12
Web Resources

• Multi-channel Transmitters and receivers and
  crystals
• http//www.robotmarketplace.com/marketplace_rc-rad
  ios.html
• http//www.futaba-rc.com/radios/index.html
• http//www2.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-j.html
• (remember that "multi-channel" references in ads
  for transmitters refers to the number of
  different servos they can operate, not the number
  of frequencies available. You need to call to
  check that the crystals in the transmitter and
  receiver can be changed.)
• Robot Parts
• http//www.vexlabs.com/
• http//www.robotstore.com/
• R/C Cars
• www.rchobbies.org