West Branch Robotics Challenge 2009

The West Branch Engineering Club was pleased to host the third annual West Branch Robotics Challenge on May 2, 2009. This year’s event was a robotic Sumo wrestling competition.

CONTEST VIDEO

Low-resolution version (640x480)

Medium-resolution version (720x480)

High-resolution version (1440x1080)

CONTEST RESULTS

Overview

Schedule of Events - Gymnasium

Cafeteria Menu

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES

Official Contest Rules and Registration Form

CONTEST FLYERS

Flyer 1 - Call for Participation

Flyer 2 - Public Announcement

WHO IS REGISTERED?

K-8 Division Teams
High School Division Teams
Senior Division Teams

Eligibility

The contest is open to any person or any team, regardless of their place of residence or group affiliation. You may participate as an individual or as a member of a team representing a school, university, church, scouting organization, commercial business, or any other organization.

K-8 Division Contest

Remote-controlled robots built by students in grades K-8 individually wrestle with a deadweight on a raised, circular platform called a Sumo ring. The robot that pushes the deadweight out of the ring in the shortest time wins the round. The mass of the deadweight is one pound in Round 1 and increases by one pound in each subsequent round. There are six rounds, and each round has a winner.

High School and Senior Division Contests

Autonomous (self-controlled) robots built by high school students or by adults are placed on opposite sides of the Sumo ring. The robots wrestle with one another while trying to avoid falling off or being pushed off by their opponent. The first robot that touches the floor outside the ring loses the round. The first robot to win two rounds wins the match.

Grand Championship Contest

The K-8 division champion will wrestle the high school division champion. The K-8 team will have the advantage of using remote control against a robot that has to see and think for itself. The high school team will have the advantage of greater age and experience. The winner of this match becomes the Grand Champion.

The Grand Champion will have the option of challenging the senior division champion in an exhibition match, strictly for the entertainment of the audience and for “bragging rights”.

How to Get Started with Robotics

All types of hardware and software are permitted in this contest.

The VEX Radio Control Starter Bundle is an all-in-one solution for any student competing in the K-8 (remote control) division of this contest.

The original LEGO Mindstorms kits are also a great way to get started. These systems can be controlled with a handheld remote control unit or programmed for autonomous control. These kits are no longer sold to the general public by LEGO, but they are still sold to schools because they are widely used in educational settings. You can usually find several of these kits for sale on eBay at reasonable prices. The contest organizers have personally purchased many of these kits on eBay and found them all to be in very good condition. Because eBay sellers do not always use identical wording to describe these products, we have provided several search links for your convenience.

Where to Buy Robotics and Electronics Supplies

Useful Sensors

Robotics Tutorials

These tutorials provide helpful tips for designing and building all types of robots.

Sumo Robotics Tutorials

These tutorials provide helpful tips for designing and building Sumo robots. Please note that some aspects of the West Branch Robotics Challenge are different from other Sumo contests. Always refer to the official contest rules for information about robot design limitations and contest scoring methods.

Sumo Robotics Videos

Other Robotics Videos

K-8 Division Teams

High School Division Teams

Senior Division Teams

Registration Summary