NERC 2011FAQs

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Frequently askedLast Updated Monday, 01 November 2010 06:03

1. Are the points A and B of the start zone marked on the game field?

Ans. No, these points are not physically marked on the game field. These points just represent

that the teams will be asked to start on the line from any point between these two points.

2. Is it necessary to do line tracking?

Ans. You may use any technique as far as navigation is concerned unless it contradicts with the

points given in theme and rules.

3. Can Remote Control be used to control the robot?

Ans. No. The robot must be autonomous. If a team is caught using remote control it will be

disqualified.

4. I am a 3rd year student, do I have to be member of a society to participate?

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Ans. No, you do not have to be member of ant society to participate in the competition.

5. Will there be lights on in the hall where the competition will be held or will the competition be

held in a dark room?

Ans. The lights will be 'ON' in the hall where the contest will be held. It will not be a dark room.

6. I am student of a University so do I need any kind of letter from university for participating in

competition?

Ans. You do not need to get a letter from your university but you must have a proof on the

competition day that you are a registered student of an Institution/University.

7. Are the lines made up of (a) Pure white tape (as we see for insulating electrical connections)

(b) Reflecting metallic tape?

Ans. The line is made of white reflecting tape (the kind used in cars)

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8. Is the color of floor mat light or dark? Can we find a visible contrast between line color and

mat color and what is the material of that mat?

Ans. The color of the field is same as shown in the floor-plan. You can also see the real color in

the images section of the website. There is a visible contrast between the tape and the field.

The field is made of 1.5mm thick blue mat (similar to vinyl sheet) often used in the flooring of

Hiace Vans.

9. Can two students of different universities make a single team?

Ans. Yes, but in case students from different universities are members of the same team and

the team wins a prize, it will go to only one university. You will have to decide that when you

register.

10. What is the definition of the base area?

Ans. The robot must fit within 40 cm X 40 cm square. If the area of the robot base is more than40 cm X 40 cm square but less than 45 cm X 45 cm square then points will be deducted. Any

robot which does not fit in 50 cm X 50 cm square

will be disqualified.

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11. Can the robot split into two parts after startup, the other part might just be kind of a guide?

Ans. No, the robot cannot split into two parts.

12. Can we use multiple type of sensors in the Robot?

Ans. Yes you can use multiple type of sensors on your robots.

13. How many Sensors can be used on the Robot?

Ans. There is no limit to the number of sensors.

14. What can be the maximum size of the box picking and placing mechanism?

Ans. There is no limit on the maximum size of the box picking and placing mechanism as long

as it stays within the size limits of the Robot as defined in the Theme and Rules.

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15. Can we replace batteries when we retry?

Ans. Yes, batteries may be replaced at Retry.

16. Many varieties of van mats are available in the market. Will the mat you would be using betextured or smooth? Will it be fibrous (like carpet) or made of rubber?

Ans. The mat has a little bit texture (it is almost smooth). There are no fibers, it is like rubber.

The original mat may be observed in the photo gallery section of our website.

17. How many members will be allowed to restart the machine?

Ans. 02 members will be allowed during retry.

18. Who will place the machine at the starting point? You or us? Will we be allowed to place it in

any direction we desire?

Ans. The team members will place the machine. Yes you may place it in any direction

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19. I am using extensions on by robot, can I put wheels under the extensions to stabilize them?

Ans. NO you cannot use wheels to stabilize your extension. The only wheels on the robot

touching the floor should be the wheels of the robot base.

20. Can we use rods or anything similar to support our extension mechanism in our robot?

Ans. You CANNOT use support of ANY kind in your extension mechanisms. The only things

that can touch the surface of arena are the wheels of your robot.

21. Can external materials, such as, solenoid, steel plate, etc. be used with LEGO robots?

Ans. As the rules indicate that 50% of the Lego robot must be indigenous so the indigenous

parts you mentioned may be used as long as the robot complies with the rules.

22. Can a team call for STOP during a match?

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Ans. No. A team CANNOT call for stop, it can only call for retry.

23. What will be the conditions on the game field?

Ans. General indoor conditions will prevail with lights on. Curtains would be down but we cannotguarantee that they will remain closed all the time. It is advisable that you cover your sensors

properly to deny external influence.

24. How many external parts can be used in Lego Robots?

Ans. You can use 50% external parts.

25. What are the timing criteria?

Ans. Time will be noted when you place a box in a particular run. Overall time will be the time of

placing the last box in a run. Best score and time (in that order) will be taken for evaluation.

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26. How are penalties subtracted from score?

Ans. Penalties will accumulate and will be subtracted from the best score

27. Can we use a Camera in our robot and do image processing? If yes then can we use aPentium 4 processor for that purpose?

Ans. Yes, you can use camera and do image processing. You can use PC/Laptop but use of

live AC power is not allowed because robot has to be autonomous. If you are using PC or

Laptop it should be on the robot. No external connections with the surroundings are allowed. All

power resources should be on board. Keep in mind also that the maximum power supply rating

is 48V. So the power must not exceed the limits.

28. Can we use laser to recognize the box?

Ans. Yes, you can use laser or any other sensor for sensing the box stand.

29. It is stated in the rules that maximum power should be 48V. I wanted to know that whether

the sum of all the motors should be 48V or the total power consumed at a particular pointshould be or less than 48V. If I use 5 batteries of 12v each, will it be ok?

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Ans. Yes it is legal. The voltage level of the robot must not exceed 48 V. If you connect five 12

V batteries in parallel to make a source, the output voltage will be 12 V. So this is not a problem.

But if you connect them in series the output voltage will be 60 V, which is unacceptable. Itmeans you can use as many batteries as you want but the voltage level on the robot must not

exceed 48V.

30. It is stated in the rules that extension must not touch the ground. If a part of base originallytouching the ground extends after going in the arena. This part of base is not being used for

picking or placing the box, instead it will be used in line tracking.

Is it acceptable?

Ans. For line tracking it is okay but the box picking and placing mechanism should not be a part

of this extension. The mechanism should be a separate assembly.

31. Can a participating team be accompanied by a teacher?

Ans. Yes, a participating team can be accompanied by a teacher (male or female). Their

accommodation will be appropriately arranged. However their information should be given to the

organizers well in time i.e. at least one month before the contest

32. What is the type of material to be used for the box?

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Ans. Zero Lasani wood is used for making the boxes

33. What is the maximum height of the robot?

Ans. Maximum height of robot is 60 cm

34. What is approximate weight of a box?

Ans. The approximate weight of the box is from 300-400 grams.

35. How many boxes are going to be there for lego kit robot?

Ans. As mentioned in Theme and Rules there will be 2 boxes for the modular/lego robots

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36. Will the arena be exactly as per dimensions?

Ans. The arena dimension tolerances are +/- 3 cm. Robots should be able to cater for thistolerance.

37.Is it mandatory for Robot to remain within area and dimension limits AFTER Starting

operation ?

Ans. The Robot may deploy extensions to exceed the limits AFTER it has reached Starting

point.

38. Can the box be dragged?

Ans. You are not allowed to drag/push the box. Moreover, the box should not be damaged in

any manner during picking and placing.

39. Is it necessary to place the box in the centre of the box stand?

Ans. No. The box can be placed anywhere in the box stand. It is is not necessary that the boxbe placed in the centre.

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NERC 2011FAQs

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