2010 RULES AND REGULATIONS FAQ

The Frequently Asked Questions section is updated as questions are submitted. Please contact contest director David Ahlgren at david.ahlgren@trincoll.edu with any questions that are not answered in the 2010 Rules and Regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am confused by the size restrictions for my robot. There are multiple size restrictions in the rules. What is the correct restriction?

The size restriction depends on which contest is being entered. For the Fire Fighting competition, a robot must fit within a box with a 31 by 31 cm square base and 27 cm height. For the RoboWaiter competition, a robot must fit within a cube with sides of 30 cm, and for the House on Fire competition, a robot must fit within a cube with sides of 50 cm. Any robot with extending sensors, grippers, etc. must fit within these restrictions before they deploy.

2. When operating in the Arbitrary Start mode, what is the return to home location?

The return to home location is where the robot started. A judge will verify this during the competition.

3. When operating in the Random Candle Location mode, is the within 30 cm rule still in effect?

Yes, a judge will verify that the robot follows this rule.

House on Fire Frequently Asked Questions

1. For swarms, must all the robots fit in the initial box? What prohibits companies like iRobot from entering 30 machines?

At the start of every trial each HOF robot, whether operating individually or as a member of a swarm, must fit inside a single square box 50 cm. on a side.

2. During the initial 2 minutes, is the robot allowed to take water from the pool?

Yes

3. Is the execution phase time marked by the start of the fire or start of fire alarm?

These events will coincide at time = 0.

4. During the initial 2 minutes may the robot leave items, pumps, hose or sensors, near the objects?

The robot may engage in behaviors that enable it to put out an eventual fire. As in the other contest divisions it may not drop items in the arena.

5. Will the arena be cleaned and/or dried between trials.

To the extent possible. We imagine that things will get wet.

6. Are the items with the Tiki flames subject to damage by flame?

We have designed items so that they will not be damaged by Tiki flames.

7. Will the arena be available for test prior to the contest?

We'll open the arena on Saturday for practice, for most of the day. The arena must be supervised due to fire regulations. Practice times will be published on website.

8. Will fire be present on multiple buildings?

No. Fire will start and spread in only one building per trial.

9. Will the tones be sounded simultaneously? If so, we request DTMF tones. (Sounding simultaneous 1kHz, 2kHz and 3kHz tones will generate interfering tones)

One place on fire at a time, so only one alarm will sound at a time.

10. Are the Tiki lamps recessed within the surface of a building or sitting on the surface?

No. Check out the picture on the website. You can get to them via links embedded in the House and Garage sections.

11. Will there be a canopy over the arena to shade it?

Yes. The canopy will protect the arena in the event of rain.

12. How are the flames lit? That is, will a person walk in the arena to light flames while our robot is present?

A person will light the flames but not enter the arena to do it.

13. Can we mix foaming agent with the water before trying to extinguish the flame?

No. The robot must use only the water provided.

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