For NITRO RoboWarrior entries, the following restrictions apply:
1. The initial dimensions of all robotic competitors (for Season 0 Robotics Exhibition) must fit within the boundaries of a 30 cm cube. (there is a unlimited height/length exception for antennas and tethers). Once the trial has begun, however, the machine may expand its dimensions as required, so long as it does not extend past the edge of the competition ring.
2. All robots must weigh in (at heaviest configuration) at less than 500 grams. This rule may be waived if there is an appropriate justification. Consult the organizer for more information.
3. All robots must have a self-contained electrical power source right in the device. No power from control tethers or any outside sources will be allowed. This rule may also be waived with justification.
4. No robot can use any power source or weapons which involves a combustion process. Sorry, but no flamethrowers.
5. Robots cannot use any gravity-assisting devices (i.e.: suction cups, compressed air jets, etc.). As well, all devices must be horizontally mobile (no rotating cinder-blocks allowed!). There is no weight restriction, providing that each competing machine is capable of moving itself across the surface of the playing field during the full duration of each trial.
6. Control tethers between machine and human operator can be used only to carry control signals. Any devices which run by tethers must not use their tethers as weapons, lassos, or for any type of mechanical assistance in the competition. Violators will be disqualified. However, any robots who get caught up in their own tethers are fair game for the opposing device to take advantage of.
7. Tethers cannot furnish additional power to the machine (this rule may be waived with justification) or deliberately entangle the opponent. For the safety of the operators, no cords carrying voltages in excess of 25 volts DC (17.6 volts AC) will be allowed
9. Robot operators are allowed to rove around the ring as necessary to insure their tethers remain clear, so long as they do not interfere with their opponent�s vision or operation.
9. The judges may bar from the contest any machines which they feel pose a real threat of damage to spectators or the contest ring. As well, any judge may stop a trial at any time, if it appears to that judge that a danger to spectators or site is imminent.
Combat Rules:
For NITRO RoboWarrior competitions, the following restrictions apply:
1. Prior to the first competition, each competing team must demonstrate in full all aggressive features used by their RoboWarrior (such information will be kept confidential by the judges on request).
2. NO aggressive aspect of a robot must extend beyond the competition boundary. The idea here is to protect the audience, judges, and other human operators from any possible harm. Violators will be immediately disqualified.
3. No robot may fire projectile weapons of any sort, unless the projectile(s) are chained to the host robot to the judges satisfaction. All projectiles should be either deposited, dropped, scattered, or flicked against the opponent.
4. No RoboWarrior can use any slippery, sticky, flammable, explosive, caustic, corrosive, or damaging chemicals in their attack. This includes oils, paints, juices, and any substance which gives off noxious odors. Allowable substances include (but are not limited to) saline solution, tap water, shaving foam, and jello. Contact the organizers for a ruling.
5. All exposed rotating elements on a RoboWarrior must not exceed 1000 RPM. No rotating element can exceed 275 grams in mass. Rotating elements must not be composed of sharp, brittle, or ragged substances which could fly off and damage the crowd.
6. No RoboWarrior can use a smoke-screen, or any tactic which deliberately hides the action of the robots from the operators, judges, or audiences view.
7. No RoboWarrior can use a "spot welding" tactic by pressing a high-power battery across the opponents conductive surfaces (batteries tend to explode this way).
8. No design team controlling a RoboWarrior can launch a physical attack on the opposing team. Language is the exception to this rule.
9. Any designer or competitor that catches fire will be disqualified. Slight smoking is permissible, so long as it is not a precursor to an explosion.
10. High traction wheels (i.e.: buzzsaw blades, chains) are permissible so long as they do not gouge the play surface to a depth of more than 0.5cm. As well, no device may employ a method of deliberately fastening itself to the ring floor.
11. Devices cut the opponent's control cable, are permitted and very much recommended.
12. No more than two human operators are allowed per robotic competitor.