MiniBot Battle Guidelines
Updated: 2023/05/02
1. What are MiniBots about?
- MiniBots are a cutting-edge platform for learning technical skills and developing design and operator capabilities. These remotely controlled robots are designed to compete in matches or games, challenging users to combine technical know-how and operating skills to achieve victory.
- At Lord of Robots, we believe that MiniBots are more than just toys - they are powerful tools that can be used to develop technical and creative skills in a fun and engaging way. To help users get started, we offer a range of kits and frames through our webstore, as well as encouraging the use of 3D printing to create custom parts and components.
- With our open-source components and software/firmware, users are encouraged to hack and modify their bots, exploring the possibilities of the platform and developing their skills along the way. Whether you're a hobbyist, student, or professional, MiniBots are the perfect choice for anyone looking to develop their technical skills and compete in exciting matches and games.
- Start exploring the possibilities of MiniBots today, and discover the limitless potential of this exciting platform for learning and creativity.
2. Definitions
- Robot: An electromechanical assembly that can be remotely or autonomously controlled.
- Clusterbot: A robot consisting of two or more parts, which may be subdivided into botlets.
- Botlet: A self-contained subdivision of a clusterbot, which may or may not be a robot on its own.
- Arena: The designated area where robots compete, also known as the field or battle surface.
- Pit or Dropoff: Gaps or spaces in the arena floor, typically located at the edges, where a robot may fall into or off of.
- Battle: The competition where one robot fights another robot, also known as a combat or match.
- Contestant: The person responsible for a specific robot, also known as a team member, operator, or driver.
- Antweight class: A robot weighing 1 pound or less (approximately 500 grams).
3. Robot - General
- Robots must weigh 500g or less, including batteries. Clusterbots are weighed as a single assembly.
- All robot parts must fit within a 6" cube. Clusterbots are counted as a single assembly and must fit within the size limit cube.
- Robot components may leverage any material and construction method.
- Mechanical energy storage devices are permitted, but inertial energy storage devices must start the match with zero energy.
- Robots may only expand after the start of a match, and only if the expansion is instigated by remote control.
- Robots must have an externally accessible way to be shut down, and all weapons must have a method of locking them in a zero-energy state.
- Autonomous functions are permitted, but must be remotely activated and disabled.
- Pneumatic systems and liquid/fluid/hydraulic systems are prohibited, but passive pneumatic systems are allowed.
- All sharp edges must have protective covers outside the arena.
- Weapons not permitted include glue, fluid-based, string/entanglement, flame-based, electricity-based, explosive, rotating weapons that may shatter, magnetic/inductive systems, EMP, radio frequency jamming, visually blinding or lasers.
4. Robot - Electrical and Electromechanical
- Main electrical power source shall be from AAA or AA style batteries. Rechargeable batteries are preferred. Up to 4 batteries may be used in a robot. Clusterbots shall have a maximum of 3 batteries per botlet.
- LiPo (Lithium polymer) "pouch" batteries and other electrical sources are prohibited.
- Maximum internal voltage shall not exceed 6VDC.
- N20 style gear motors are permitted for locomotion and actuation functions. All gear types and configurations are permitted.
- RC hobby servos of with a rated stall torque less than equal to 15kg/cm are permitted for locomotion or actuation functions. This includes limited angle, continuous rotational and linear types.
- Solenoids are permitted for locomotion or actuation functions.
- All other sources of electromechanical movement/actuation are prohibited.
- Lasers are prohibited
- Non-actuated devices (such as piezoelectric, LEDs, buttons, switches, sensors, cameras, encoders etc…) are permitted.
5. The Arena
- Safety glasses must be worn by all persons within 10ft of the arena during a match.
- All battles must take place in an arena, regardless of the weapons used.
- The arena surface is to be kept clear once a robot is placed in the area, and all hands and other body parts must be kept at least 1ft away from the surface.
- Robots will start matches in diagonally opposite corners of the arena.
- The arena is a raised platform (>0.5") and can be one of the following sizes with no walls. The surface shall be made of 0.5-inch foam panels:
- Close Quarters battles: 24 inches x 24 inches
- Medium Size: 36 inches x 36 inches
- Large Size: 48 inches x 48 inches.
6. Combat
- Battles are 1 vs 1 configuration. Clusterbots count as 1 robot.
- Matches can be won in 3 ways: by removing the opponent from the area, disabling the opponent or being judged as the dominant aggressor. A tie/draw is possible if the judge cannot determine the most dominant aggressor.
- Clusterbots will lose when all botlets have been eliminated by the previous rule.
- Battles will last for a maximum of 3 minutes. Judges will decide the winner of any battle that has reached the time limit.
- A robot that falls off the arena and touches the bottom of the pit or dropoff has lost. If a robot bounces into and out of the pit or dropoff without touching the bottom, the fight may continue.
- A robot will lose when it is immobile or lacks controlled/intelligent motion for more than a 10-second countdown. Contact between an immobile robot and an opponent will reset the count.
- Robots may surrender at any time during the fight. Holding or pinning each other is allowed for a maximum of 20 seconds before disengaging.
- Outside manipulation is not permitted during the contest. If a robot leaves the arena before making contact, the battle will be restarted.
- If two robots fall into a pit or dropoff at the same time, the aggressor to this action is judged to have won.
- Intentional damage to the arena will result in an instant loss.
7. General Competition Guidelines
- Contestants are required to obey the event organizer and may be disqualified if they fail to do so. Event organizers have the final say in all matters.
- Judges must be impartial and identified before each battle. Any objections to a judge must be raised before the match begins, and the event organizers will decide if the complaint is valid.
- Before competition begins, event organizers will check each robot to ensure compliance with minimum rules, including weight, size, power source, failsafe control, and weapons.
- Each team must be self-contained and cannot share drivers, remote controllers, robots, or battery packs with other teams. Clusterbots may use additional drivers from other teams but must comply with all other rules.
- Robots must be handled by the robot's team or event organizers. The driver is responsible for ensuring their robot is safe and all weapons are inactive before retrieval.
- Robots must be placed in the arena within five minutes of being called to fight. Failure to comply may result in a loss.
- Batteries must be charged using off-the-shelf battery chargers.
- Robots may only be operated inside the arena or during normal functionality testing on a bench. Dangerous weapons may not be used outside of the arena.
- Non-participants must keep their distance from the arena during battles.