Rules
Key rules from the official EnviroBot Rulebook. The rulebook is authoritative — verify against the original before changing anything that affects scoring. Organisers may amend rules at any time; work from the latest issued version.
Arena
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Shape | Regular octagon, raised timber walls |
| Diameter | ~1.5m |
| Sectors | 4 terrains of increasing difficulty — e.g. sandpaper, grass, wet soil, sand (examples only) |
| Water zones | 4 — one recessed slot per sector |
| Soil zones | 8 — two per sector |
Zone positions are spread out deliberately; exact placement is not published in advance.
Robot
| Constraint | Limit |
|---|---|
| Length | ≤ 400mm |
| Width | ≤ 300mm |
| Height (starting config) | ≤ 400mm |
| Weight | ≤ 1.5kg |
- Extendable parts may not exceed the limits from starting configuration.
- The robot may be remote controlled, semi-autonomous, or fully autonomous — all three are legal.
- Mandated components (using substitutes risks penalty up to DQ): SEN0189 turbidity sensor, Capacitive Soil Moisture v2.0. All other kit parts are optional; additional sensors are allowed.
Prohibited
Combustion engines · mains-powered systems · pressurised gas · pyrotechnics · dangerous chemicals · open flames · devices intended to damage other robots. Organisers may prohibit anything they consider unsafe.
Measurement Run
- Maximum 8 minutes (−5 pts if exceeded; run then capped).
- Operator stays within the designated operator zone.
- Collect readings from all zones: 4 water + 8 soil across the four terrains.
- Readings must be available for judge review immediately after the run.
- Run ends on: team signal, timer expiry, or robot inoperable.
- Stuck robot: officials move it to the arena centre to try again — repeated as needed until time expires. (Design consequence: nothing safety-critical may depend on accumulated position.)
- Teams reset their own robot and output system before their slot; delays count against run time.
Data Output (§4.6)
Accepted formats:
- Serial monitor output on a connected laptop
- Live table/plot on a connected computer
- Printed data log or CSV reviewed after the run
Anything else — including a WiFi web app — requires prior written approval from the Project Directors. Our serial output satisfies the rule unconditionally; webapp approval has been requested.
Integrity
- Pre-loaded or hardcoded sensor data → Cats 1 & 2 zeroed; presenting fabricated data as live → disqualification.
- All design/construction by registered team members; open-source libraries and purchased modules are allowed and encouraged.
- Every component on the robot must be explainable by the team — inability reduces scores.
- Copying another team's schematics or code without acknowledgement → disqualification.
Safety
- Enclosed footwear at the venue; no soldering/cutting in the competition area.
- Report liquid spills immediately.
- Robot must power down immediately on official instruction.
- Smoke, sparks, or unusual heat → power down and report.
- No electrical modifications once the run has commenced.
- Only the operator retrieves an inoperable robot; never enter the arena during another team's run.