Robowars

Robowars is an Inter College Competition. Only one team is allowed per institute.
For registration you have to send an official confirmation either through e-mail to robowars@techfest.org or a fax to 022 2572 3480 signed by a competent authority of your institute (By competent authority we mean either the head of the institute or the head of the student affairs of the institute). Once we receive the signed copy the name of the institute would be put up on the website.

To see the participating colleges till date, click here.

The Blood....the sweat.... the fire..... the glory....

Flying blades, violent flame throwers, the thrashing sound of metal and a junk pile of annihilated machines, welcome to the world of combat robotics. Techfest 2009 brings you Robowars- the inter college combat robotics competition, a modern day Colosseum for the next generation of war machines, the battle for supremacy can never get bigger than this.

This is what we call -- mortal combat.

1. Problem Statement

Design and construct a remote controlled combat robot for a one on one knockout tournament.

Prizes worth INR 45,000 to be won.

View the Machine Specifications »

To view the discussions on this competition, Click here

For further queries contact:

2.1 Dimensions and Fabrications

1. The machine should fit in a box of dimensions 750 mm X 750 mm X 1000 mm at every given point of the race. The external device used to control the machine is not included in the size constraint.
2. The machine should not exceed 30 kgs of weight.
3. The machine can be controlled wirelessly or with wires. Both on and off board power supplies are allowed. Refer below for further details on battery and power.
4. If the machine is wired then the wire should remain slack under all circumstances during the competition.
5. If the machine is controlled wirelessly, the machine must have a dual frequency remote control circuit or two control circuits which may be interchanged before the start of the race to avoid frequency interference with other teams.
6. Remote control systems from toys might be used. Remote control systems available in the market may also be used.

2.2 Batteries and Power

1. The machine can be powered electrically only. Use of an IC engine in any form is not allowed.
2. Batteries must be sealed, immobilized-electrolyte types (such as gel cells, lithium, NiCad, NiMH, or dry cells).
3. The electric voltage anywhere in the machine should not be more than 36 V DC at any point of time. If a team is using ac voltage in any of its parts then the voltage should not exceed 36 V AC at any point of time as well.
4. All efforts must be made to protect battery terminals from a direct short and causing a battery fire.

2.3 Pneumatics

1. Robot can use pressurized inflammable gases to actuate pneumatic devices.
2. Maximum allowed pressure is 20bar.
3. Participants must be able to indicate the used pressure with integrated or temporarily fitted pressure gauge.
4. The maximum pressure in cylinder should not exceed the rated pressure at any point of time.

2.4 Hydraulics

1. Robot can use pressurized liquid to actuate hydraulic devices e.g. cylinders.
2. All hydraulic components onboard a robot must be securely mounted.Particular attention must be made to pump and accumulator mounting and armor to ensure that if ruptured direct fluid streams will not escape the robot.
3. All hydraulic liquids are required to be non corrosive and your device should be leak proof
4. Maximum allowed pressure is 30bar.
5. Participant must be able to indicate the used pressure with integrated or temporarily fitted pressure gauge.

2.5 Weapon Systems

Robots can have any kind of magnetic weapons, cutters, flippers, saws, lifting devices etc. as weapons with following exceptions and limitations:

1. Liquid projectiles
2. Any kind of flammable liquid
3. Flame-based weapons
4. Any kind of explosive or intentionally ignited solid
5. Nets, tape, glue, or any other entanglement device
6. Radio jamming, tazers, tesla coils, or any other high-voltage device
7. Un-tethered projectiles
8. Tethered projectiles in any direction are allowed with each having a maximum tether length of 4 feet
9. The competition will be played on a knock-out basis

View the Rules »

3.1 Criteria for Victory

1. A robot is declared victorious if his opponent is immobilized.
2. A competitor will be declared immobile if it cannot display linear motion of at least one inch in a timed period of 30 seconds. A bot with one side of its drive train disabled will not be counted out if it can demonstrate some degree of controlled movement.
3. In case both the robots remain mobile after the end of the round then the winner will be decided subjectively.
4. Points will be given on the basis of aggression and damage. Maximum points for aggression: 5 and for damage: 6.

3.2 Video and Abstract Submission

All participating teams have to send a 2 page progress report outling the mechanisms they are using along with the pics by 15th December 2008.

Participants have to submit a portfolio of their machine, consisting of a written abstract and a video of the working model before the competition. This portfolio will be used to seed teams for the competition. Only above shortlisted teams will be eligible to participate in 'Robowars' at Techfest 2009. The last date of submitting the portfolio is 30th December 2008.

1. The written abstract should be prepared on the following lines:
2. The weapon systems and power supply method should be explained in detail, along with proper diagrams. Picture(s) showing the above should be attached.
3. Description of any unusual advantageous mechanism used.
4. The specifications of ALL the components used, including engine, suspension springs, remote controller etc have to be mentioned.
5. This abstract can be attached as a PDF file to the video and a CD can be prepared; or the abstract can be submitted on paper. The CD and the papers have to be couriered in a single envelope to the postal address:
   Techfest 2009
   Students' Gymkhana
   IIT Bombay, Powai
   Mumbai - 400076.
6. You can email the portfolio minus the video, and send the video by a CD. This will make sure at least the abstract part of your portfolio reaches us before the deadline.
7. An email will be sent to the team leader confirming the reception of the entry.
8. Each team is allowed to make one submission only. In case of multiple submissions, the first submission will only be used for judging purposes.
9. Techfest 2009 is not responsible for any postal/courier delays, so participants are encouraged to send their entries well in advance to ensure receipt before the last date.

1. The video should be at least 1 minute unedited clip showing the machine performance to the fullest. All destructive mechanism being used must be shown working.
2. The clip should be preferably in AVI format. If any other unusual format is used, please attach appropriate video plug-ins to ensure that the organizers can run the video properly.
3. It is not necessary to explain the mechanisms in video.

All the portfolios will be used strictly for the seeding purposes. The elimination procedure will be objective and the evaluation of every participant will be published on the website. Techfest takes the responsibility that no information will be made available to any third party. The portfolio of your machine will be helpful everywhere in future as an evidence of your hard-work, along with determining your position for the competition. So please pay adequate attention to it.

The portfolio is meant to assess the efforts put in by participants. Thus even if you are not able to meet the requirements asked in the portfolio, please send us the portfolios based on the current state of your machine before the deadline. That means even if your machine is incomplete, please send the portfolios anyway, instead of not sending them or sending them late.

3.3 General Rules

1. The competition will be played on a knock-out basis.
2. The maximum duration of each round will be 5 minutes.
3. Any team that is not ready at the time specified will be disqualified from the competition automatically.
4. The machine would be checked for its safety before the race and would be discarded if found unsafe for other participants and spectators.
5. The name of your machine must be prominently displayed on the machine.
6. Judges decision shall be treated as final and binding on all.

3.4 Safety

1. All participants build and operate robots at their own risk. Combat robotics is inherently dangerous. There is no amount of regulation that can encompass all the dangers involved. Please take care to not hurt yourself or others when building, testing and competing.
2. If you have a robot or weapon design that does not fit within the categories set forth in these rules or is in someway ambiguous or borderline, please contact the event organizers. Safe innovation is always encouraged, but surprising the event staff with your brilliant exploitation of a loophole may cause your robot to be disqualified before it ever competes.
3. Compliance with all event rules is mandatory. It is expected that competitors stay within the rules and procedures of their own accord and do not require constant policing.
4. Each event has safety inspections. It is at the sole discretion of the organizers that your robot is allowed to compete. As a builder you are obligated to disclose all operating principles and potential dangers to the organizers.
5. All weapons must have a safety cover on any sharp edges.

3.5 Team Specifications

A team may consist of a maximum of 6 participants, all from the same institute.

3.6 Registration

For registration you have to send an official confirmation either through e-mail to robowars@techfest.org or a fax to 022 2572 3480 signed by a competent authority of your institute. Once we receive the signed copy the name of the institute would be put up on the website.

View the Resources »

4.1 Resources

For more details, refer:

1. www.robowars.org/robots.html
2. www.robotcombat.com/therobots.html

View the Participating Colleges »

5.1 Participating Colleges

Robowars is an Inter College Competition. Only one team is allowed per institute.
For registration you have to send an official confirmation either through e-mail to robowars@techfest.org or a fax to 022 2572 3480 signed by a competent authority of your institute( By competent authority we mean either the head of the institute or the head of the student affairs of the institute ). Once we receive the signed copy the name of the institute would be put up on the website.

1. Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IITB), Mumbai
2. Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat
3. Krupajal Engineering College (KEC), Bhubaneshwar
4. Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) of Baroda, Vadodara
5. Nirma University of Science and Technology, Ahmedabad
6. SRM University, Chennai
7. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur
8. Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET DAVV), Indore
9. Laxmi Devi Institute of Engineering and Technology (LIET), Alwar
10. Shri S'ad Vidya Mandal Institute of Technology (SVMIT), Bharuch
11. U V Patel College of Engineering, Ganpat University, Mehsana
12. K J Somaiya Institute of Engineering, Sion, Mumbai
13. Apex Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jaipur
14. Walchand Institute Of Technology, Solapur
15. Maharashtra Academy Of Engineering (MAE), Pune
16. Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai
17. Parul Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET), Vadodara
18. KCG College of Technology, Chennai
19. PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
20. College Of Engineering, Pune (COEP)
21. Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science (KITS), Warangal
22. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati
23. Rishiraj Institute of Technology, Indore
24. G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Vallabh Vidyanagar
25. Shri Ramdeobaba Kamla Nehru Engineering College, Nagpur
26. Sastra University, Thanjavur
27. Vindhya Institute of Technology and Science, Jabalpur
28. University Institute of Technology, RGPV, Bhopal
29. Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin
30. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal
31. Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan
32. Engineering College, Ajmer