Robotics: Sumo Handling Difficult Situations

The following are some of the things that can come up in a Sumo event that may require the judges to intervene. These situations are dealt with for the most part in the rules, but is important to know that these situations can arise from time to time:

• Tangled, stuck or dancing robots: Sometimes the Sumo round isn't going anywhere because the robots are stuck, immobile, or they are moving in a circular manner that will not allow either robot to win. In RoboChallenge, we separate robots after a few seconds, and start the round again. Whatever time elapsed is subtracted, and the round continues until 1 minute has passed. This avoids long, boring situations, and helps reduce the occurance of ties.
• Both robots fall out at the same time: When both robots fall out, the one that falls out first loses. But in the case where both robots leave the board at about the same time, the judge should determine which robot caused the event. The robot that was the aggressor should be the winner. If it is not clear which robot was the pusher and which was pushed, call the round a tie.
• False start: Sometimes the robot operator doesn't hit the botton correctly, or otherwise causes the robot to malfunction. If this is noticed before the 5 seconds of wait time have passed, start the round over again to give them another chance.
• No show: Sometimes a competitor is not around because of other events or activities. If this happends, please declare a forfeit, and move on to the next contestant.
• No program or incorrect program: Sometimes programs get changed or lost on the day of the contest. If you can, allow the contestants to reprogram their robot before the event begins. It is perfectly fine and encouraged for a robot to have more than one program, in case one doesn't work, it can use another. A robot that cannot be reprogrammed in reasonable time should withdraw.
• Interference: It is important to keep people and competitors from touching or bumping the table, or touching the robots during the rounds. A competitor who interferes with the round loses the round. If a spectator interferes, the round should be done over. In sumo, where ultrasonic sensors may be used, it's very important for people NOT to be close too close to the competing robots.
• Robot falls off table: If the competition is being done on tables, competitors and judges should attempt to catch a robot that tumbles off the side to avoid excessive damage.
• Robot cannot be repaired quickly: The judges should make an effort to allow a few minutes for repairs to take place between trials if necessary, but should use judgement to prevent delays. If a robot is beyond repair, a competitor should concede the match.
• Adult Intervention: It should be students, not adults, designing, programming, operating, and repairing the robots. High school students should be doing all of the work themselves. If judges need to, they may ask adults not to repair students' robots or otherwise interfere with the tournament.

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