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G.O.A.L

Accommodation registrations have started. To register for accommodation, click here.



Imagine a future when Robotica United and R C Milan fight it out for the champions trophy, a future where the world's best soccer team is desperately trying to score against a team of super androids. Let Techfest give you a glimpse of this unbelievable future at our home grown 'Old Trafford' and see if you can make them pull off those swirling Banana kicks and pin point crosses, because thats what you will need to crown yourself champions at G.O.A.L .


1. Problem Statement

Build a computer controlled navigator which moves balls of specific colours into the opponent's goal post with the help of an overhead/on board camera.


Prizes worth INR 45,000 to be won.


View the Arena »


Registration for G.O.A.L has started. Click here to register.


To view the discussions on this competition, Click here


For further queries contact:


Anish Garg

Manager, Techtronics
Techfest 2009
+91 98337 89055
anishgarg[at]techfest[dot]org

Shobhit Gupta

Manager, Techtronics
Techfest 2009
+91 98336 45180
shobhit[at]techfest[dot]org

2.1 Arena Specifications

  1. The arena consists of a table top of inner dimension 2000 mm X 1500 mm, coloured 'green'. The table will have a boundary of height 50 mm of top color white and side color green, same as that of the arena.
  2. There will be seven balls in all; four of one colour and three of the other colour. The balls will be placed randomly in the arena. The exact dimensions and colour of the balls will be put up later.
  3. The goal zones are of dimension 400 mm x 150 mm x 100 mm (LxBxH); one would be red in colour and the other would be blue in colour.
  4. The goal zone is a 3-D structure with its two surfaces of dimension 400 mm x 100 mm open. Rest all the sides will be of blue or red colour. The height of goal structure is 100 mm.
  5. The D will be represented by white line of about 10 mm thickness in the arena as shown in Figure 1. However, the markings of reset zone and starting zone won't be marked on the arena.
    (Exact RGB values of the colours will be disclosed later)

    Figure 1: 3D View


    Figure 2: 3D View


    Figure 3: Top View


    Figure 4: Side View


  6. There would be two overhead cameras above one arena; one for each team. A stand will be provided to the participants for mounting the overhead camera in the centre of the arena.
    • It is recommended that the participants use the camera provided by the organisers. If not so, please intimate the organizers beforehand through email about the camera details (resolution, model number and company). Please cooperate with the organizers in this regard to ensure that the camera has no problems with the mounting system provided.
    • In case a team brings its own camera and stand then it should be such that it does not disturb the line of vision of the other web camera.
    • The webcam which will be provided by the organizers is Logitech QuickCam E 2500. For further detailsabout the webcam, please visit www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/4266&cl=in,en

Note: The colours of the arena and the goal posts are subjected to change. However, any changes made would be specified in bold on the site. So, you are advised to visit the site regularly for such changes.


2.2 Camera Mounting System

  1. Participants have to build a mounting system for their camera. Refer Figure 3 for the details of the design for mounting plate.
  2. The height of the camera will be put up soon.
  3. For the clamping of the hanging plate to the mounting plate there will be 4 screws of 2in length (50 mm) and 5 mm diameter inserted and bolted on the mounting plate.
  4. You should keep a clearance of 40 mm for the screws and bolt to fit in.
  5. Materials suggested :
    • Plywood - 6 mm
    • Acrylic - 4 mm to 8 mm
    • Aluminum - 2 mm onwards


Figure 5


Figure 6


A monitor (CRT), keyboard, CPU and mouse (USB 2.0) will be provided at the competition venue. Participants can also bring their own CPUs which they can connect to this system. The hardware will be compatible with a normal CPU.


View the Navigator Specifications »


3.1 Dimensions and Fabrications

  1. Each team is allowed to have only one navigator/bot.
  2. The length and breadth of the navigator should fit into a box of dimensions 200 mm x 200 mm x 250 mm (LxBxH) at the start of the competition.
  3. The navigator has to use an onboard power supply. No external power supply will be allowed.
  4. Two 260 mm x 260 mm, square shaped, blue and red coloured orientation tags (blue or red coloured cardboard sheet with appropriate orientation pattern, for eg. An orientation tag with two circles, one of black and other of white colour; Refer Figure 7) will be distributed to the participants prior to the competition. Each team is required to use red or the blue coloured cardboard sheet (if a team gets Red zone as its Scoring Goal post then it has to place the Blue coloured orientation tag above its machine) and place it above their machine at all times during their run.

    Figure 7: Orientation Tags


  5. At any point of time, during the match, the navigator can extend itself beyond the initial dimensions. However, no part of the machine should be visible from the top (i.e. at any point of the time,the machine should not be bigger than 260 mm x 260 mm. Also the ball once picked up or in possession of a navigator should not be visible from the top.
  6. The navigator should communicate with the computer using wireless data transfer (dual frequency). Dual frequency meaning that the participants must be able to completely switch the wireless control to either of the two frequencies. This has been done to avoid interference between the controls of the two bots as it is a one on one competition.
  7. It will be the participant's responsibility if there is any data misinterpretation of the arena image taken by the overhead camera due to the body of the machine.
  8. Machine cannot be constructed using readymade Lego kits or any readymade mechanism. But you can make use of readymade gear assemblies and ready made wireless modules (dual frequency). Violating this clause will lead to the disqualification of the machine.
  9. All the navigators have to work on the principle of image processing. Any sort of ambiguity will lead to immediate disqualification. Please confirm with the organizers about the validity of your procedure beforehand, via email.

View the Rules »


4.1 Competition Rules

  1. This competition is a one on one match with two teams competing with each other at the same time.
  2. The participants will get 20 minutes of setup time before the run. In the setup time participants need to mount the camera, boot their computer and have the program ready for execution.
  3. The match will be divided into two halves of 3 minutes each with a 2 minute half-time break. Time duration of the total match will be 8 minutes. The match would end as soon as 8 minutes are over or if all the balls have been scored.
  4. At the end of the first half, the position of the balls left in the arena will not be changed for the second round i.e. the position of the remaining balls at the starting of the second half would be the same as that at the end of the first half.
  5. Any ball that is in the possession of a machine at the end of the first half would be placed randomly in the arena for the second half and any ball that has been scored during the first half will not be replaced into the arena.
  6. The actual colours on the arena may be slightly different from the ones specified, due to ambient light and texture of materials. Time slots, prior to the day of competition, would be given to the participants to calibrate their machines to the available light conditions in the arena.
  7. At any point of time the navigator can take feedback from the overhead or on-board camera of the machine for navigation. However, it is advisable to use the overhead camera.

4.2 Time Out

  1. If, due to some unintentional reason, the two machines collide with each other and are unable to move any further, then the run time would be paused and the machines would be placed at their respective reset zone.
  2. No time outs are allowed during the run. All the changes (if any) should be made during the 2 minutes break (half time break).

4.3 Disqualification

  1. A team deliberately trying to block opponent's Scoring Goal post or a machine that stays in its D (the enclosed area near the opponent's scoring goal post) for more than 30 seconds would be disqualified for that half.
  2. Any team deliberately trying to harm or block the other machine may be disqualified for that half. In such cases, a yellow card (a warning) and then finally a red card (disqualification) would be given in accordance with the severeness of the foul committed. The judges' and the organizer's decision shall be final in such cases.
  3. In case a team gets disqualified then it would be removed from the arena and the other team would get a clear run for the rest of the time left in that half. The balls in the possession of the second bot at the time of disqualification of the first team can be placed anywhere in the arena in accordance with the wish of the second team. The position of the second bot will be the same as that just before the first team was disqualified.

4.4 Points System

  1. There would be seven balls of same dimensions of which 4 balls (type 1) would be of one colour and the other three (type 2) of another colour.
  2. A team will get 10 points for scoring a ball of type 1 and 20 points for scoring a ball of type 2 at their team's designated goal post.
  3. The position of the walls is fixed but the position of the balls can be changed by the organizers.
  4. If a team scores a self goal (team puts the ball in the wrong goalpost) then 5 points penalty (5 points will be deducted from the final score of the team which scores a self goal) will be imposed on the team and the ball will not be replaced.

4.5 Criteria for advancement to the next round

  1. Only the best teams, in terms of points, will be short listed from the first round for the next round. The rounds thereafter will be based on knockout pattern.
  2. A team should score at least one goal in the first round to advance to the next round.
  3. In case of a tie in terms of points, the team which would have scored its respective last goal earlier would be the winner. For example, if the final score is 20-20, then the team that reached to 20, before the other team, would be the winner.

4.6 General Rules

  1. Organizers will be not responsible for any minor scratches left by the previous machines on the arena.
  2. Any team that is not ready at the time specified will be scratched from the competition automatically.
  3. The machine would be checked for its safety before the run and would be discarded if found unsafe for other participants and spectators.
  4. Participants should not dismantle their robots before the completion of the whole competition as the machines might need to be verified by the judges at a later stage to ensure that the participants have not violated any of the rules.
  5. Judges' decision shall be treated as final and binding on all.
  6. The organizers reserve the right to change any or all of the above rules as they deem fit. Change in rules, if any, will be highlighted on the website and notified to the registered participants.

4.7 Team Specifications

A team may consist of a maximum of 4 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.


4.8 Eligibility

All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in GOAL at Techfest 2009.


4.9 Certificate Policy

  1. Certificate of Excellence will be given to the top teams emerging from this tournament.
  2. Certificates of Participation will be given to all the teams that are able to score at least one goal in this competition at Techfest 2009.

4.10 Registration

Registration for G.O.A.L has started. Click here to register.


4.11 Accommodation

  • Due to the limited accommodation facilities, teams will be short listed for accommodation based on the following abstract provided by the team. Please note that even if your abstract does not get short listed, you are still eligible to participate in the competition.
  • All participants who want accommodation at IIT Bombay during Techfest should fill the abstract form and rename the .doc file as "<Team_no>.doc" and email the form to goal[at]techfest[dot]org. The abstract should reach us latest by 2359 hrs on 15th December 2008. No more requests for accommodation will be entertained thereafter.
  • Click here to download the abstract format.
  • Accommodation registrations have started. To register for accommodation, click here.

4.12 Important dates

  1. Last date for registration for participant who don't require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 25th December, 2008. Participants need not send the abstract if they don't want the accommodation.
  2. Last date for submitting the abstract for participants who require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.
  3. Last date of registrations for the participants who wish to avail accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.

View the Resources »


5.1 Resources

To download the G.O.A.L tutorial, click here.


Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the pdf. To download Acrobat Reader, click here.


For wireless devices, visit:


  1. www.in.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=500004+1000187&Ntk=gensearch_001&Ntt=zigbee&Ntx=
  2. www.nex-robotics.com/viewCategoryList.php?cid=9





5.1 FAQs


  1. Am I eligible to participate in G.O.A.L?
    All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in G.O.A.L.
    A team may consist of a maximum of 4 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.

  2. How can I register for the competition?
    Registration Process in online in nature. To register click here

  3. Is there any registration fees for the competition?
    Techfest does not charge any registration fees to any of the student/participant.

  4. What is the Last date of Registration?
    Last date for registration for participant who don't require accommodation at IIT Bombay is 25th December, 2008. Participants need not send the abstract if they don't want the accommodation.
    Last date of registrations for the participants who wish to avail accommodation at IIT Bombay is 15th December, 2008.

  5. How can I register for the accommodation?
    Teams will be short listed for accommodation based on the abstract provided by the team. All participants who want accommodation at IIT Bombay during Techfest should fill the abstract form and rename the .doc file as ".doc" and email the form to goal[at]techfest[dot]org. The abstract should reach us latest by 2359 hrs on 15th December 2008.

  6. What if my abstract doesn't get shortlisted?
    Please note that even if your abstract does not get short listed, you are still eligible to participate in the competition.

  7. What will be the flooring material?
    Flooring material used for the arena would be tightened mat type cloth. Details would be put up soon.

  8. Can the power supply be external?
    The navigator has to use an onboard power supply. No external power supply will be allowed. There are no restrictions on the maximum power supply you can use.

  9. What are the specifications of the balls to be used in the competition?
    There will be seven balls in all; four of one colour and three of the other colour. The balls will be placed randomly in the arena. The exact dimensions and colour of the balls will be put up later.
    Please keep yourself updated with the website for dimensions and specifications.

  10. what are the navigator size specifications. ?
    The length and breadth of the navigator should fit into a box of dimensions 200 mm x 200 mm x 250 mm at the start of the competition.
    Navigator can only extend itself, it cannot detach itself. And even while extended no part of the machine should be visible from the top and at any point of the time, the machine should not be bigger than 260 mm x 260 mm.

  11. Can I use a manually controlled machine for G.O.A.L?
    A The navigators have to work on the principle of image processing. There is no user input allowed to the bot during the match. The computer program has to use the image (from the overhead/onboard camera) and decide the bot's action autonomously.

  12. Are readymade bases and DD's like irobot or mirosot robots allowed?
    We don't allow ready-made kits in our competitions because we feel that participants should apply his creative skills and practical knowledge while making a bot.

  13. Please specify the camera provided by the organisers?
    The webcam provided by the organizers would be Logitech QuickCam E 2500. Please refer to the following link for further details:-
    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/4266&cl=in,en

  14. How can the navigator communicate with the computer?
    Participants cannot use wired mechanism for data transfer with the computer, only wireless data transfer (dual frequency) is allowed. However, readymade wireless modules can be used. Visit the following sites for wireless devices:-
    http://in.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=500004+1000187&Ntk=gensearch_001&Ntt=zigbee&Ntx=
    http://www.nex-robotics.com/viewCategoryList.php?cid=9

  15. Is T V Tuner card required for the competition?
    TV Tuner card is generally not required. Hence, the CPU that we will be providing will not have a TV Tuner card. However, if you wish to use it, then you may do so by bringing your own CPU.

  16. Will all the teams get a certificate of participation?
    Certificates of Participation will be given to all the teams that are able to score at least one goal in this competition at Techfest 2009.

  17. I have some more queries that are not given in this list. What should I do?
    You may contact goal[at]techfest[dot]org for any further doubts.