Build Your Own Combat Robot

278 Build Your Own Combat Robot
In robotic sumo, there are three rounds in a match, and the first bot to win two
rounds wins that match.
In robotic sumo, there are two different general classifications: remote-controlled
sumo bots, and fully autonomous sumo bots. The difference between the
two, obviously, is that an autonomous sumo bot must operate completely on its
own. No form of human control (except for turning the bot on) is allowed.
How a Sumo Match Proceeds
As stated earlier, a single robot sumo match consists of a best of two out of three
individual sumo rounds. During a round, both bots are placed on the sumo ring.
When the referee signals start, both bots are turned on, and the operators move
away from the sumo ring. Each bot must try to find the other and push that other
bot out of the ring. The first bot that touches anything outside the sumo ring
boundary loses the round.
The other way to lose a round is to become disabled. For example, if a bot gets
knocked onto its back and can no longer attack the opponent, the opponent wins
the match. As with all contests, there is a time limit to each match. Each match has
a total time limit of 3 minutes. There is no time limit to the individual rounds. This
means that all three individual rounds must occur within the 3-minute time frame.
If the score is tied after the 3-minute time limit has expired, the referee will award
the match victory to the bot that appeared the most aggressive. If both bots appear
to be equally aggressive to the referee, the referee may allow additional time for
the bots to continue.
The contest coordinator will set the rules for determining the overall winner.
The types of play include single, double, or round-robin elimination. This is usually
determined based on how many bots are entered into the contest and the total
available time to run the contest.
Robot sumo promotes sportsmanship and education. The rules of the event
prohibit any action that will cause damage to the sumo ring, other sumo bots, or
humans. Any bot that causes intentional injury or damage will be immediately disqualified
from the competition. The exception to this rule is that any incidental
damage caused by the bots running into each other is allowed. But if a bot has a
feature with the primary purpose being, in the official’s interpretation, to cause
damage, that bot will be disqualified. For example, if a bot has a hammer that can
swing down and hit its opponent, the bot with the hammer will be disqualified.
Arms are allowed on the bots to try to help capture and confuse its opponent; but
if the referee feels that the arm’s primary purpose is to act as a weapon, then the
bot will be disqualified.
The two most popular robot sumo classes are the international sumo class and
the mini sumo class. The international class is also called the Japanese class (because
this is the size class that is used in Japan), or sometimes it is called the 3kg
class, indicating the maximum weight allowed for this kind of bot. Table 13-1 lists
the specifications for these two bot classes. The mini sumo class was invented by
Bill Harrison of SineRobotics. Except for the weight of the bot, every other specification
is exactly half of the international sumo class.