General FAQ
Rules and operational questions shared across competitions.
What does exactly mean ‘Robot must not be dangerous or excessively annoying?’
It means exactly that it must not be dangerous or excessively annoying. That applies to all its living or non-living environment like the playing field, the bear, other contest participants, referees, public etc. What is and what is not dangerous or excessively annoying is, among others, defined by laws, generally accepted regulations and referee decisions. For example, a robot equipped with a chainsaw would be both dangerous and annoying. Where appropriate, the robot also must avoid collisions with the opponent. The robots should not hit each other and in the case of exceptional touch, one robot must not move the other. Bumping and ramming would be considered dangerous; this does not apply for Mini Sumo or RoboCarts where contact with the opponent is part of the game.
May we use lasers?
If they are not dangerous, the robot may use any kind of sensors, be it contact or distance sensors such as cameras, IR, ultrasonic sensors, or lasers. If you are not sure about the safety, contact the organisers well in advance.
May the robot touch the walls or bump into them?
Yes, it may, but it must not damage or destroy them.
May I start the robot using remote control?
Except for Roadside Assistance Beginner, Toy Cleanup Beginner and Mini Sumo, no. Remote control is an external connection which is not allowed during the start.
May I stop the robot using remote control?
Except for Roadside Assistance Beginner or Toy Cleanup Beginner, definitely no. It is an external connection which is forbidden. When using remote controls for debugging, you will have to detach the receiver from the robot for the match. In case of built-in receivers, you will have to prove that it is definitely switched off.
If my robot is smaller than 10×7 cm, the marking would not fit on it. Is it a problem?
In such case, an alternative marking can be prepared.
Can you give us exact mm dimensions of the playing field, the walls, the bear etc.? Which exact colours will be used, which materials?
Such unimportant details are not specified exactly. Build your robot so that this does not matter.
Will the playing field be smooth? Will it be constructed from one or more pieces?
The playing field may be constructed of more than one piece. The organisers aim for a flat playing field without considerable steps or gaps, but you can expect small unevenness at the joints.
May we use a combustion motor?
Do not use combustion engines, pyrotechnics, caustics and similar things. As the contest is held indoors, that would be considered dangerous and annoying.
May we use LiPo accumulators?
Yes, if they are handled safely and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The same applies to any kind of energy source.
May I use a computer for controlling the robot, image processing etc.?
Yes, it is up to the robot builder’s decision. For autonomous robots, all systems including the computer must be in the robot. If the control is off the robot and there is communication between them, then it is not an autonomous robot. A possible exception is one-way video transfer to present what the robot sees to the public.
Are ‘electronic fight’ systems, noise generators, decoy IR LEDs or stealth technologies allowed?
No. Intentional interference, noise production, sensor jamming and similar approaches are against the competition spirit and could affect not only the opponent but also other robots, instruments, wireless systems, or safety devices. In such a case, the team would be disqualified. The aim is clever construction, algorithms and robot defence, not brute-force interference.
May our robot deploy in several pieces?
Definitely not in all competitions except Free Style. During a match, a single robot competes against a single opponent. In Free Style, an exhibit may include nearly anything, including multiple cooperating robots.
Is it compulsory to bring a poster about the robot?
For Free Style and Roadside Assistance, yes. The poster is compulsory and must also be uploaded to the registration. It may be split into more pieces, for example several A3 sheets.
Are there some limitations or requirements for the remote control in Beginner category of Roadside Assistance or Toy Cleanup?
No, only standard safety rules apply. In case of a wired connection, the wire should be long enough to make useful connection between the operator and the robot. It is also not allowed to use the cable to affect the game.
Construction Kit category FAQ
Rules for the Construction Kits category across competitions.
Which construction kits and accessories are allowed?
See the official allowed list referenced in the rules and FAQ.
What does it mean the robot must be constructed from one selected construction kit? What if it does not contain a sensor I need?
The robot must be constructed fully from the selected kit, meaning its structure, control, sensorics and actuation. If the kit does not feature one of those areas, participants may use another suitable solution for that missing part.
Can I use non-original, but commercial sensors for Lego?
No. Lego produces sensors, so you have to use Lego sensors and cannot use other ones. Parts used for Lego-based robots must be manufactured and distributed by Lego or be Lego-licensed parts from third-party manufacturers.
Lego does not produce a sensor type I need. Can I use my own?
No. If the producer makes something in a specific category such as structure, control, sensorics or actuation, you have to stick to that range. Only categories not covered by the selected brand may be supplemented.
You mention ‘single-purpose specialized robot kits’ are excluded. What exactly is that?
It means a kit which is not a general construction kit but a set intended essentially for one specific robot only. Such single-purpose kits are not allowed.
Do the wheels and tyres fall in the mechanical structure or actuation category?
Mechanical structure.
The tyres in Merkur are very hard and slip a lot. May I use others instead?
Yes, if the rules allow your own mechanical parts and the design and tread pattern remain unchanged.
If I use Lego, can I use more control units for one robot?
Yes, if all of them are Lego and all are mounted on the robot. You may also use as many Lego sensors as you need.
Do I have to mount the emergency switch to my Lego robot for Bear Rescue, Ketchup House and similar contests?
Yes, of course.
Can I use two or more construction set packages?
Yes, if they are of the same brand name.
May I use strings, wires, rubber bands, stickers?
Yes, if they come from your construction set as bought. Otherwise they may be used only for decoration and not as support or reinforcement material.
I need to have some buttons on my robot. Can I add them?
Yes, as long as they come from the construction kit. The emergency switch is the exception and may be of any origin. If the manufacturer does not provide any sensors, you may use any sensors you like.
I would like to use a construction set which is not listed in the registration form. Is it possible?
Generally yes. The form allows adding a new one, but it is better to discuss it with the organisers by email in advance. Arduino is not considered a general construction kit.
May I use third party omniwheels for Lego?
Only if they are Lego-certified.
Which programming tools may be used with Lego construction kit?
Whichever you like. There is no need to stick only to tools provided by Lego.
Can I use my own batteries?
Yes, if they are safe, equivalent to the original ones and in line with the construction set philosophy. A battery replacement matching the original solution is acceptable, while a non-original external pack wired in place of the original one is not.
Do I have to make the new parts in the same colour as original ones?
No. Use colours as you wish.
Do I understand correctly that I cannot program the robot on my own as the control has to be only the original one?
No, exactly the opposite. You must program your robot. The control category refers to electronics and hardware, not software.
Competition FAQ
Questions divided by individual disciplines.
Bear Rescue
How big may the robot be?
It is not defined. The robot must be able to do the task on the playing field, travel from the starting area to the other side and back again, and must not lean over the walls. It should therefore be built for efficient manoeuvring.
How may the robot catch and hold the bear?
Any way, as long as it does not damage the bear. It can use a robotic hand, shovel, rake, net, or push or pull the bear on the ground. Throwing the bear is not allowed.
What happens if the robot drops the bear on its way back home?
No problem. The principal task is to rescue the bear and carry it home.
What happens if the bear falls off the playing field?
This definitely should not happen. The playing field may be on a raised base, so falling out could be dangerous for the bear.
How many rescue attempts can we do in one round?
As long as time and other conditions allow, repeated tries may be allowed. Robots with fewer attempts will be prioritised and the order of runs will be set by the organiser.
Ketchup House
How do you measure that the robots are at least one square away?
By eye. Both robots must be off the four squares around the can. For example, if the picked can was at C5, the new one will be replaced only when the area from B4 to D6, including the lines, is robot-free.
If the robot drops the can, will it be replaced to its original position?
Definitely no. Neither the robot nor the can will be returned. Both stay wherever they are.
After a can is picked up, when will the new one be deployed?
The new one will be deployed as soon as both robots are at least one square away, regardless of where the original can is, as long as the original position is free for the replacement.
The rules say the robot must avoid collisions with the opponent. How is that checked?
Homologation checks that the robot is safe and controls its movement properly, including stopping when meeting an obstacle. If two robots meet face to face, both should stop. Touch is allowed, but one robot must not move the other. A dummy opponent or sparring robot may be used during testing.
If the cans are outside the convex envelope but held by a magnet or tape, are they counted?
No. The cans must be completely free.
Mini Sumo
Is a Start Module required or will the start be performed by activating a switch on the robot?
Start modules are known but are not the primary method. The requirement is that the robot starts running five seconds after a manual start by pressing a button on the robot. If a team already has such a module, it may use it and implement the same delay in software.
Puck Collect
What is the material of the pucks? How heavy are they?
The pucks are made of wood, painted red and blue, and weigh about 16 g.
Roadside Assistance
What does the special bonus 2 ‘Handling one of each playing elements and scoring with them: 10 points’ mean?
If the robot properly places at least one of each type of playing element, it gets 10 extra points in addition to the points for each respective element. At minimum, placing one battery, pushing the truck, placing one cargo and placing one traffic sign gives 21 total points, or 23 if the cargo is on the truck. The bonus counts only once.
Where did you buy the batteries, cargo, cars and other elements?
The organisers made them themselves. Cargo is made of wood, batteries are 3D printed with a metal ring inserted, traffic signs use hockey pucks, aluminium poles and a 3D printed top, and the cars are made of painted thin sheet fibreboard. Plans may be shared on request by email.
Toy Cleanup
May the robot in Beginner category be controlled by more than one operator?
Yes.