Robot Sumo

Two robots compete and try to push their competitor off the field. There are five different classes: Standard Sumo (3kg), Mini Sumo (500g), Micro Sumo (100g), Nano Sumo (25g) and Humanoid Sumo.

The field is round and the interior surface is painted black and is bordered with a white margin. For detailed dimensions refer to the table below.

In each competition two robots compete. One competition consists of three rounds. If there is a lack of time the matches can be shortened to one round instead of three.

robot placement

NEW robot positioning in 2010

A cross in the middle divides the sumo ring into 4 quadrants. Robots are always placed in 2 opposing quadrants. Each robot points in the opposite direction like indicated by arrows on the cross. The robots can be placed anywhere within the quadrant. The cross will be removed by the referee after positioning of the robots. After placing, the robot may not be moved anymore.

After the two robots have been placed, the referee gives a starting signal. Then the competitors are allowed to push the starting buttons of their robots. This is the last exterior intervention till the end of the game. The robots then have to wait exactly 5 seconds, before they start fighting. An early start counts as a false start and is assessed with a warning or in case of a repetition with a round loss.

The aim of this competition is to find the other robot and push him off the field. A robot is out of the field as soon as he touches the floor outside of the field (height of fall is only a few centimetres). A humanoid robot is also defeated if any part of the robot other than the bottoms of its feet (hands, knees, back, chest, etc.) touches the ring. Hardware and competition tactics may not be geared to damage the competitor ("fair play"). If both robots are still in the field after 3 minutes, the game ends with a draw (Time-out).

The base of the robots may not exceed the specified dimensions (see table below) at the start of the game. After the start robots are allowed to "extend" themselves, e.g. extend ramps or wedges or enlarge their base to stabilize. The whole weight of the robot may not exceed the specified weight (see table below).

Any weapons and actuators that could harm the competitor or the audience as well as equipment which sole purpose is the disturbance of the competitor is strictly forbidden (e.g. pliers, cannons, catapults, chain saws, cut-off wheels, blinding devices, etc.). Equipment which anchors the robot into the ground is forbidden as well (e.g. glue, vacuum suckers, wheel-away rubber stoppers, suckers etc.).

A Humanoid Robot shall have two legs. The mode of locomotion of the robot must be bipedal walking or running. (NEW from 2009)

The General Rules apply as well.

*Mini Sumo Deathmatch

All robots are placed on a standard sumo ring (154cm diameter) and compete against each other. Winner is the last robot which remains on the ring.