2009 Design Competition
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do many robots have weapons or lifting mechanisms to prevent other robots from moving into the center position?

A: Sorry, we don’t keep an inventory of entrant strategies to be able to say whether “many” concentrate on blocking or lifting their opponents.  Some usually pursue a blocking strategy.  You have to choose your strategy and anticipate the possibility of meeting an opponent who tries to block you.  Remember, any “weapons” must not damage the other robots.  If your “lifting” mechanism is judged to be primarily intended to cause an opponent to fall off the ramp, that would be “damaging” your opponent. See pictures on our website of various designs.

Q: Is it possible for one robot to fight another on the downhill proportion to prevent it from climbing back up the hill?

A:Two points will be deducted from the run score of a vehicle that makes contact with its opponent beyond the (S) line on the opponent’s side of the hill before that vehicle has entered to top-of-the-hill zone.

Q: what is the uk of the carpet against say a vex part wheel? (plastic to carpet) (closer to .6 or .9? is the carpet high or low?)

A: It is industrial-grade carpet, with a short knap.  We have not measured the coefficient of friction for the carpet.  

Q: Are glue guns and tape allowed?

A: Yes.  There are a few outlets around the outside of the area of the contest. You will not have power at your set-up table.

Q: Where is the instructional video for this competition?

A: We currently do not have an instructional video. We feel the challenge of creating a vehicle is enhanced when constructed using written design parameters and performance specifications. There are enough pictures on our websites that provide the basic course setup and vehicle types.

Q: Must all of the wheels be on the track at all times, or is it possible to “ski” down the ramp and the drive up?
A: The wheels do not have to be on the track at all times, as long as the vehicle does not use the tops of the side rails for support. Skiing would be possible. NOTE: The wheels must be used for SOME of the traversing. We are assuming in this scenerio that they will be used for climbing the track.

Q: Are microcontrollers with programming allowed?
A: Yes, no problem.

Q: What are the rules on treads as opposed to wheels?
A: Treads are allowed, no problem. Technically, treads are a form of wheels.

Q: If we use treads, must we also have 3 wheels touching the ground?
A: As long as each tread encompasses at least two wheels, this will be no problem.

Q: Can we use sensors (bump, rotation, etc.) that meet the safety standards?
A: Yes, no problem.

Q: Does the mass of the vehicle weighed before each round include the weight of the hacky sack?
A: No, the vehicle is weighed without the hacky sack.

Q: Can you provide us with the approximate weight and diameter of the hacky sack?
A: The hacky sack is 2 inches in diameter and weighs a few ounces.

Q: Are LEGO mindstorms legal?
A: Yes, you may use LEGO mindstorm components as long as the vehicle meets the rules (which would include no remote controls).

Q: Since you can hold the car until the start, can you just let it roll down the hill due to gravity or does it have to descend the hill with the motor(s)?
A: Either gravity or motor is acceptable.

Q: Does the wall on the track go all the way down to the bottom (between points B and W) of the track (including what would be the floor)?
A: Yes.

Q: How does the start system work? Is our robot connected to a switch on the side? Do we have a switch on the robot itself?
A: Simply let go (or you can choose to have a switch).

Q: How strong are the flags (in opposite direction of our robot) at the top of the ramp?
A: Not strong enough to stop a vehicle, but your vehicle cannot damage your opponent’s flag. And if you knock it down, it counts for the other side. It is basically a 5/8” dowel with a #8 screw as a pivot point.

Q: Is the carpet industrial style with small loops or is it more fluffy?
A: Industrial carpet that is very flat.

Q: Is the hacky sack included in the 4 pound weight limit? What about the 12” cube?
A: The hacky sack and the 12” cube are not included in the weight.

Q: At the start, does the robot need to be behind the start line, on it, or does the dot on our robot need to line up with it?
A: The entire robot and all its parts must be behind the start line.

Q: Can a remote battery be connected with long wires and separated from the car, i.e., placed at the bottom of the track while still being included as part of the 4-lb weight limit.?
A: No, the battery pack cannot be on the floor. The car must be self-contained including the batteries.

Q: Can a mini catapult be used to toss the hacky sack through the hole?
A: Catapult is OK.

Q: Can we use a VEX kit?
A: Use of a VEX kit parts should be fine, as long as no pneumatic systems are used. Compressed air actuation would definitely not be allowed under the rules.

Q. Can middle school students or high school seniors participate in the competition?

A: The competition is officially open the high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. However, anyone can assist in the preparation for the event and in the cheering section during the event!

Q: Who qualifies as a "sponsor"? Do I need a sponsor to participate?

A: A sponsor can be any adult mentor (i.e. teacher, parent, principal) who helps you work through problems while constructing your vehicle. While a sponsor is not a required, one is highly recommended. Sponsors also do not need to attend the competition - the guidance and assistance they provide prior to the competition is what is most important.

Q: My high school is not on the list - can I still participate?

A: Certainly! We'd like to invite every high school in the country, but we realize that high schools within driving distance of Boston University is a more realistic invite list. If your school is not on our list, simply choose "other" at the top of the high school name list and enter all required contact information.

Q: How many teams can each school bring to the competition?

A: There is no limit to the number of teams a school can enter. However, each team should consist of two people.

Q: Is there a list of parts available?

A: No. We encourage students to use any materials they feel will work best for their design. However, a local company has offered to donate materials that they manufacture. For more information, you can visit their website at www.igus.com.

Q:  Are we only allowed to use materials that we can get over the counter at a hobby shop or can we special order products from catalogs?
A: Either is OK.

Q: Can a pre-fabricated engine be used?
A: Yes, as long as it is electrically powered. Combustion and compressed air types of engines are not allowed.

Q: Can I use a mercury switch to sense when the vehicle reaches the top of the ramp?
A: Absolutely not!! Mercury is a very dangerous substance and cannot be used in any component of the vehicle.

Q: Can we design our vehicle to pull our opponent's flag back up after they have knocked it down?

A: You could, but once a flag is down, a point is awarded. There is no benefit in returning your opponent's flag to its original position.

Q: Is it possible to have the flag knock down arm already extending over the side of the ramp at the start?

A: No, that's part of the challenge. Your vehicle must be able to fit inside the 12-inch cube prior to the start. It may extend something like an arm after the start.

Q: Can we use something that sticks into the carpet to keep our vehicle from rolling backwards?

A: Yes - as long as it doesn't cause significant damage to the track.

Q: Must all three wheels be powered or simply be in contact with the track and turning while the vehicle completes the course?
A: All three wheels must be in contact with the track, but not all three need to be powered.

Q: Will two vehicles be going head-to-head toward each other on the same track?
A: Yes, they will.

Q: Are we allowed to attack/damage the other vehicle?
A: Attack, block, interfere, derail -- yes.  Damage, no.

Q: Are we allowed to interact with our opponent’s vehicle and try to disable or hinder it? 
A: Yes, you are allowed to interact with your opponent’s vehicle, as long as you do not damage it.  

Q: Are we allowed to block the other vehicle? (For example, by placing a block in the track so that their vehicle cannot pass)
A: Yes.

Q: Is it possible to have a "battery box" which the driver holds along with a power line trailing to the car?
A: No, that is not possible.  The vehicle must be self-contained.

Q: Can the wheels push against the side walls of the track? Would that be considered legal?
A: Yes.

Q: If contained safely in a cooling unit may we use liquid nitrogen to cool our engine?
A: No.

Q: Can a remote control be used?
A: No. The vehicle must be self-contained.

Q: The rules state that, "after the start, all vehicle wheels must remain within the side rails of the track at all times." Does 'vehicle wheels' mean drive wheels, support wheels, and/or wheels in general, such as an odometer wheel?

A: All wheels that assist the vehicle in moving must remain within the side rails.

Q: What defines support of the vehicle?

A: Transfer of any of vehicle weight from the track surface to the track rails.

Q: Aside from the flag and its suporting screw, are there any obstructions, protrusions, or crevices along the outer edge of the track?

A: While we strive to provide tracks with identical specifications, there are minor variations among the tracks as well as crevice/misalignment possibilities on the rails at points A and B.

Q: What material is the surface beyond point T (from the diagram given in the rules)?

A: The surface will be a wooden gymnasium floor or surface with similar characteristics.

Q: Should we take the gymnasium floor into account when propeling the hacky sack?

A: This is certainly an aspect of the Design Competition which should be considered.