2001 Robotic Sumo Wrestling Rules

  1. PROPULSION

    All motors and other propulsion to be from electric motors or relays. (Combustion motors are deemed too dangerous due to the risk of overheating and explosion.)

    Robots must be capable of some form of movement across the ring surface...

  2. SIZE and WEIGHT

    1. The size of the robot must be such that it will fit within a 30cm by 30cm by 30cm cube at all times during the contest.

    2. There is a 3 Kilogram limit on the weight of a competing robot

    3. AUTONOMY

      There is to be no radio communication with the robot and infra red and ultrasonic sensing is to be limited to positioning sensors. There is to be no communication with any competitor or spectator of any kind. The robot must be totally autonomous.

    4. STARTING

      A Sumo bout will be commenced by an infra red beacon modulated at 40 kilohertz (such as a TV remote). (Instructions on how to do this.) Where the local conditions of the event are such that the use of the starting beacon is unreliable, then the judge may allow robots to be started by a backup push button on the robot. In this instance one competitor will be asked to stand by their robot to act on the judge's signal. The judge will disqualify any robot that moves before the start signal (either infra red or verbal) or which is deliberately assisted in any way.

    5. DAMAGE

      The robots are not allowed to dismember themselves or leave parts, oil, or other substances on the ring. They may not mark their opponent deliberately (eg for purposes of detectability).

      The robots must not contain any combustible, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous materials for safety reasons. No explosive compression or decompression, either internal or external is permitted. There is a risk of compressed containers rupturing and creating shrapnel. Any robot whose strategy or operation is considered too dangerous will be disqualified by the officials.

      Intentional damage or interfering with the opponent's operation is not allowed.

      The robots are not allowed to have offensive slogans or logos painted on them, nor can they emit voice recordings of a similar nature.

      If you have any questions concerning your robots eligibility, please feel free to contact the contest organizers and they will be happy to inform you if the robot is legal or not!

    6. ARENA

      The arena shall be constructed as a circular ring, called the "Dojo". The surface shall be raised 5cm from the ground and the first robot to touch the floor outside of the Dojo will lose the match.

      The surface of the Dojo shall consist of a black rubber material which shall be applied to a wooden bases. Any irregularity in the joining of the material will be less than 2mm in height.

      The circumference of the Dojo shall be marked with a white boundary ring of gloss paint. This ring shall have a width of 5cm. The purpose of the white line is to warn the robot of the approaching edge of the Dojo and to enhance visibility for the onlookers.

      There are also two parallel starting lines on the Dojo, which are 2cm wide, 10cm long and coloured dark brown. These "Shikiri" lines are 80cm apart and spaced evenly from the centerpoint - IE their inmost edge is 40cm from the center.

    7. CONTEST DURATION

      The Sumo competition consists of a three minute round involving two robots. Within the three minute round there may be more than one bout. If a bout is won before the three minutes are up, the clock will be stopped and the robots replaced in their starting position for another bout. There may be up to three bouts in a three minute round, with the winner being the robot which wins the most bouts. In the event of a tie, the judges will be asked to decide which robot exhibited the best effort and award the round to that robot.

    8. CONTEST JUDGING

      At the start of a bout the robots are placed behind the Shikiri lines. The direction is not compulsory but usually they face each other. Once the judge signals the start of a bout the robots may begin to move, and are not to be interfered with by competitors until the judge signals the end of the bout. A bout is finished when there is a victor or the bout is declared invalid (eg through deadlock).

      During a bout, the robots will proceed in combat until one unit is disabled or removed from the ring - the other robot is the victor. It is permissable (although not desirable) for the victor to also leave the ring after pushing the opponent out, so long as it is clear which was first. In the event of uncertainty, the bout will be considered invalid and not counted toward the total number of bouts. No extra time will be awarded however.

      A robot is considered to be removed from the ring when any of its wheels or legs fall off the edge. A robot whose body hangs over the edge is not considered 'off' until it physically touches the ground. Judgment of the ring officials is final. As soon as one or more robots leave the ring the clock is stopped.

      Should one robot become disabled ( flipped on it's back or side, for instance ) and is unable to move, the ring officials will award that bout to the remaining robot and a new bout will begin if time permits.

      If both robots become unable to continue because of entanglement or deadlock lasting beyond 30 seconds, then the clock will be stopped and the robots will be re-started from the starting position. This is considered as an invalid bout, and is not counted toward the total number of bouts. No extra time will be awarded however.

      If one robot stops its movement for 30 seconds, it shall be considered not having the will to fight and the opponent shall be awarded the bout.

      At the end of each complete round, the contestants are responsible for making sure the ring is clean and ready for the next round to the satisfaction of the judges, or the contestant which produced the mess may be disqualified. This includes all debris, fluids, or marks remaining on the ring.