------------------------------

Here is a revision of the General Rules for robot construction. This revision is intended to address some technical ambiguities, as well as to consolidate some redundant restrictions. Keep in mind that the materials and techniques used to build a robot within a weight class impose many of their own restrictions. The verbiage and tone of these suggested guidelines are based on my experience at RW and also on what I would like to read as a prospective entrant in some future event.

(note, some of the rules in this section are unchanged from Tim's comprehensive first draft, others I have glossed over for lack of an opinion. Submitted humbly...)

------------------------------

Design Guidelines and Restrictions.

The spirit of these rules is to promote MECHANICAL combat between robots, and to make the contest safe for spectators and participants. Not every possible facet of robot design is covered in these rules, common sense and sound engineering should always be applied.

1) Explosives. The combustion that occurs inside a liquid fuel burning engine is permitted. Other forms of rapid exothermic chemical reaction are not allowed. Weapons or drive systems that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to bombs, rockets, reactive armor, firearms, pyrotechnics, gunpowder, tennis ball cannons.

2) Heat. It is understood that in the normal course of operation, robots may become hot. Heat generated specifically to damage an opponent is not allowed. Weapons that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to flame throwers, heating coils, heat lamps, soldering guns, plasma torches, high power lasers, jet exhaust. Visible open flames will be extinguished by the safety personnel.

3) Light. Light emitting electronics are allowed, so long as they do not violate rule 2 (see above). Lasers are restricted to a maximum output power of 5 mW each. Light may not be used to interfere with your opponent's line of sight. Devices that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to a xenon search lamp aimed at your opponents face, a 5 mW targeting laser aimed at your opponents face.

4) Electricity. Robots may use electric power to drive any type of device. The use of electricity as a weapon is not allowed. Weapons that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to stun guns, tazers, arc welders, tesla coils.

5) Liquids. Robots may use some liquids for power generation, power transmission or other closed system applications such as cooling (gasoline, hydraulic fluid, liquid CO2, water etc.) The intentional discharge of liquid from a robot is not allowed. Weapons or defense systems that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to acid, glue, oil, fuel, water, liquid nitrogen, fake blood.

6) Adhesives. Builders may use adhesives in the construction of their robot. The use of adhesives as weaponry is not allowed. Weapons or defense systems that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to tape, flypaper, bubble gum.

7) Radio Frequency Transmission. Robots may transmit information such as video and on board diagnostics. The use of RF transmission as a weapon or defense system is not allowed. Systems that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to radio jamming, spark gap transmissions, tesla coils. For gas engines, spark plugs designed to minimize RFI are available and recommended.

8) Batteries. Robots may use any type of dry cell or gel cell batteries or capacitors to store energy. Batteries that use a liquid electrolyte, such as car or motorcycle batteries, are not allowed. Although there is no limit to the amount of voltage or amperage you may use to power your robot, good insulation, common sense and sound engineering should always be applied.

8) Internal Combustion. Robots may use fuel burning internal combustion engines to drive any type of device. Jet turbines are also permitted so long as the jet exhaust does not violate rule 2 (see above). Fuel lines must be metal or metal jacketed, well protected and secured at both ends to the robot. Fuel tanks may hold only as much fuel as the robot needs to function for the duration of one match. Although there is no limit on the size or power of the engine, common sense and sound engineering should always be applied.

9) Pneumatics. Robots may use compressed gas to drive any type of device. Gas pressure is limited to 1000psi. Compressed liquids such as CO2 or N2 that vent only as inert gas are permitted. Although there is no limit to the amount of compressed gas that you may carry in your robot, quality components, common sense and sound engineering should always be applied.

10) Hydraulics. Robots may use closed loop hydraulic systems to drive any type of device. Fluid pressure is limited to 6000psi. If an accumulator is used, gas pressure within the tank is limited to 1000psi.

11) Projectiles. Robots may fire tethered projectiles. The maximum length of the tether is six feet, measured from the robot to the tip of the projectile. The tether must be strong enough to halt the projectile in flight and be designed not to entangle the opposing robot.

12) Entangling. It is expected that in the course of combat, robots may become mechanically entwined. Robots designed to entangle their opponent are not allowed. Weapons or defense systems that fall under this restriction include but are not limited to net launchers, tape dispensers, tow lines, cables, string.

13) Fail Safe. Builders need to account for what will happen if their robot loses control. At minimum, robots must have an accessible master power switch. The addition of a radio controlled master power switch is required for robots that are unsafe to approach while operating, and strongly recommended for all robots. If radio contact is lost, speed controllers, throttles and weapons should return to neutral or idle. If electric power is lost, servo controlled throttles should automatically return to idle. In most cases this will simply mean taking advantage of the fail safe features found in most hobbyist RC sets, and adding a return spring to servo controlled throttles. Builders using custom RC systems are encouraged to incorporate a fail safe system.

14) Hardened steel blades or other parts which may shatter are not allowed.

15) Powered flight is not allowed. This does not include ground effect vehicles such as hovercraft.

-----------------------------

Sincerely,

Mark Setrakian