Contents

Basic Idea

This is a fun race! Each robot will be given one try to go as far and as fast as it can.  Our lego race track is a 6 foot by 10 foot white mat with a black line twisting and turning from start to finish.  The track starts out with gentle turns and then gets more complex towards the finish. 

Robot Specifications

• Robots must be self-operated. 
• Robots must be created entirely out of LEGOs. 
• All robots must be checked in to the competition prior to the beginning of the Line Following Contest.  No allowance will be made for adjustments after the Line Following Contest has begun. 

Competition Rules

• When a verbal command is given, the contestant will start his/her robot. 
• The robot cannot be controlled by or interfered with by the operator or anybody else during the competition. 
• A timer will be started when the verbal start command is given. 
• The timer will be stopped if the robot leaves the line.  The distance will be marked at the place where the robot left the line. 
• The timer will be stopped if the robot stops making forward progress.  For example, if the robot turns and begins following the line in the opposite direction, the timer will be stopped and the distance will be marked at the place where the robot turned around. 
• A seven minute time limit will be enforced.  If the robot has not completed the track in seven minutes, the distance will be marked at the point where the robot is at that time. 
• The robot must go straight through any four way intersections.  If the robot goes either right or left at a four way intersection, the timer will be stopped and the distance will be marked. 
• The timer will be stopped at the finish line when the robot crosses the finish line. 
• The winner will be declared as the robot who gets the fartherest along the track.  If more than one robot reaches the finish, the winner will be the robot who completes the track in the shortest amount of time. 

Hints and Tips

• Our mat has a shinny black line.  If you are using electrical tape to test your robot, you may need to change it's configuration to detect our black line. 
• Come early to practice with our mat and be prepared to change your configuration if necessary.