Sumovore Manual

The Solarbotics Sumovore

Mini-Sumo Competition Rules

There are a good many robot clubs and contests that run their own mini-sumo contests, and most adhere to the same rules.

Here’s a short list of the rules you can expect to see at these competitions.

The Robot

! Must not weigh more than 500 grams (1.1lb)

! Must fit in a 10cm (3.937in) by 10cm square but can be any height

! Sumo must not move for the first 5 seconds of match

! Sumo is allowed to expand after the 5 second startup

! No weapons! (i.e. Flamethrowers or Blades of Doom!)

! No damaging the ring! (i.e. Saw blade wheels or drilling holes)

! Tires must not be sticky

The Competition Platform Ring

! Ring has a 77cm diameter

! Ring is a flat black surface with a 2.5cm (1in) wide white ring around the perimeter

! There are two parallel starting lines with a width of 1cm a length of 10cm and are located 10cm apart from the center of

the ring. These lines are brown so that they do not trigger any IR edge sensors.

! Ring is usually constructed with black melamine but some events use steel platforms

! Ring height is usually 2 inches for edge detecting robots, some competitions use a ring height of 1 inch

Running of the Competition

! You have to win two of three matches to win your bout

! Matches are a maximum of 3 minutes in length

! If it is agreed between both competitors the match may end earlier (I.e.: if both sumo cease to function)

! The higher-ranked sumo (or winner from previous match) is placed first on the ring and positioned. The lesser-ranked

robot is then allowed to position.

! Upon the signal from the referee/judge, the robots are activated. No motion from the robot is allowed for five seconds

upon activation. This allows competitors to get a safe distance away from the competition platform.

! North American rules state that you may position your robot to start anywhere behind in the zone extending from the

starting line off to the left and right edges of the sumo ring.

! Japanese rules state that you may position your robot to start so that some portion of it is touching the zone extending

directly backward from the ends of the starting line to the rear edge.

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