RSSC - Robotics Society of Southern California

Apr 2006 Champion:
Jeff Dunker

RSSC Mini-Sumo Competitions

The purpose is to give beginners a variety of competitions to get involved in robotics. We will hold several competitions with the same robot specs so minimal cost is involved to switch from event to event.

Mini-sumo robot specs will be used for all the events:
    - Robot must be autonomous (no remote control),
    - weigh no more than 500 grams (about 1.1 pounds),
    - and be no larger than 10cm x 10cm (approx 4 inches square),
    - no height limit.
    - may not be built to damage the opponent or the arena.

Events include:
  1. Classic Mini-Sumo <--- CURRENT CONTEST
  2. Chariot race
  3. Line following
  4. Obstacle course
  5. Capture the flag (individual & teams)

Classic Mini-Sumo

A quick summary:
  1. The object is to push your opponent out of the ring; best 2 out of 3 wins,
  2. We will use the Mini Sumo standard rules found here: (rules)
  3. The arena is 30 inches round, painted black, with a 1 inch white line along the edge.

Chariot Race competition

A quick summary:
  1. The object is to race 5 laps around an oval arena,
  2. Multiple robots will compete at once; bumping, shoveing, and contact is expected (and encouraged),
  3. The arena is 4' x 2' with a 1"x6" walls around, a 1"x1"x4' divider around which the race moves. Two lines around the course may be used as a guide but following them is optional.

Obstacle Course competition

A quick summary:
  1. Tag the half court line and cross the finish line in the fastest time,
  2. Obstacles will prevent a direct path through the arena,
  3. The arena is 4' x 2' with a 1"x6" walls around.

Capture the Flag

A quick summary:
  1. Ok, how about "push the flag" since mini's don't have hands,
  2. Contest can be individual or in teams,
  3. Place your flag anywhere behind the line,
  4. Push the opponent's flag outside the circle,
  5. The arena is 4' x 2' with a 1"x6" walls around.

Here are some helpful links:

Kits:
- a nice PARTS kit,
- a similar Basic Stamp kit,
- Lego Mindstorms can also be very competitive.

Don't be too afraid to build a custom bot:
- good controllers - Basic Stamp, OOPIC, BasicX
- good sensors - Sharp distance and Lynxmotion line detector
- good motors - pre-modified servo's, or modify your own.
- good wheels - These wheels connect directly to a servo.

Please contact Jeff Smith with any questions or comments.