SA Sumo Challenge

SA Sumo Challenge

Robocup Junior South Australia (RCJSA) Sumo is a head to head competition where two autonomous robots try to push or flip the other out of a circular ring.

Sumo robots must be fully autonomous, so they need to employ a variety of sensors to search for the opponent, push them out, and stay inside the playing area.

Students will need to come up with creative programming / build  to outsmart the opposition. 

Due to its ease of introduction, many students choose to use LEGO kits (Ev3 or NXT), Spike Prime or Inventor to build and program their robots. Other students select alternative platforms and even build their own microprocessor robots from basic electronic components. A range of sensors can be attached to all of these platforms, including electronic compasses, sonars, light sensors, infrared sensors, actuators and cameras. 

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Divisions

There are three divisions of the sumo challenge, each with slightly different rules and regulations.

Featherweight Sumo
Standard Sumo
Heavyweight Sumo

All participants can use the equivalent of a single standard EDUCATION or COMMERCIAL LEGO kit. This may be either NXT, EV3, Spike Prime or Robot Inventor 51515.

  • No glue, tape, 3D printed pieces or non-LEGO rubber bands are allowed.
  • Participants can only use the kits proprietary software.
  • The weight of the robot cannot exceed 600 grams.

Each robot may only use:
• up to 2 motors for driving
• up to 2 touch sensors for bump sensing
• 1 light/colour sensor
• 1 ultrasonic sensor

  • 4 wheel drive systems and tracks are not permitted
  • All robots must fit within an open-top 210mm (L) x 210mm (W) x 210mm (H) frame, (including mechanisms / pieces at their full extension).
  • The robot must not include any part that fixes the robot to the playing field surface.
  • The robot must not intentionally damage the opponent’s robot or the playing field.
  • Each robot should have a recognisable tag to link it to that team.
  • Robots must be entirely autonomous; they need to work independently from start to finish
    once pressed from the brick.

All participants can use a single NXT, EV3, Spike Prime or Robot Inventor 51515 brick.

  • No glue, tape or non-LEGO rubber bands are allowed in the construction.
  • Participants can only use the kits proprietary software.
  • The weight of the robot must be between 700 – 900 grams (with a 10g leeway).

Each robot may only use:
• up to 2 motors for driving
• 1 motor for lifting and flipping.
• up to 2 touch sensors for bump sensing
• 1 light/colour sensor
• 2 ultrasonic sensors
• 1 gyro / compass sensor

  • 3D printed lego bars/pieces can be used however, CANNOT form scoops or walls
  • 4 wheel drive systems and tracks are not permitted
  • All robots must fit within an open-top 210mm (L) x 210mm (W) x 210mm (H) frame, (including all capturing, lifting mechanisms at their full extension).
  • The robot must not include any part that fixes the robot to the playing field surface.
  • The robot must not intentionally damage the opponent’s robot or the playing field.
  • Each robot should have a recognisable tag to link it to that team.
  • Robots must be entirely autonomous; they need to work independently from start to finish
    once pressed from the brick.

The robot can be made from any kit or material. The robot can only have one controller (brain) controlling it.

  • No glue, tape or non-LEGO rubber bands are allowed in the construction.
  • The weight of the robot must be between 1kg and 1.5kg

Each robot may only use:
• up to 3 motors for driving
• 1 motor or actuator for lifting and flipping
• up to 2 touch sensors for bump sensing
• up to 2 colour/light sensors
• up to 4 ultrasonic or infrared sensors
• 1 Gyro sensor
• 1 pixy camera

  • Robots may be remotely started if the program is stored on a Device. Once started the device
    or isn’t to be touched unless a restart has been called or instructed by the referee.
  • Robots must be entirely autonomous; they need to work independently from start to finish.
  • The use of 3D printed, and laser cut pieces are permissible.
  • All robots must fit within an open-top 250mm (L) by 250mm (W) x 210mm (H) frame, (including all capturing, lifting mechanisms must be fully extended).
  • The robot must not intentionally damage the opponent’s robot or the playing field.
  • The robot must not include any part that fixes the robot to the playing field surface.
  • Each robot should have a recognisable tag to link it to that team.

The Sumo Field

The Arena – is the area where the sumo robots will compete.

The arena will be a circular ring 1000 to 1200 mm in diameter with a 50 mm white border around the ring’s perimeter. The Arena’s playing surface can be raised up to 30 mm in height for the Open division.

Starting Lines may be included, (dimensions are 200 mm long, 20 mm wide and 200 mm apart).

The materials needed to make a field are low-cost and easily found at your local hardware store.

Rules

Make sure you read the latest rules for this challenge. These rules can change from year-to-year.

Getting Started with Sumo

Check out some of our tutorials and more information about how to start programming your Sumo robots (to be updated soon).

  • Programming Sumo in EV3 Classroom  
  • Programming Sumo in Spike Prime  
  • Programming Sumo in Mindstorms
  • Programming in Pybricks

Modern Teaching Aids supplies many of the kits and parts you may need to construct a sumo robot.

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