RULE CHANGES / MODIFICATIONS
WEIGHT: Weight Increase for Heavyweights: Maximum 165 lbs.

MULTIBOTS/CLUSTERBOTS: Robots that enter as a single unit and fragment into independent "team" members will be considered "immobile" when 50% or more of the "team" is rendered immobile.

TETHERS: Tether length may not be longer than a measured height of 8 ft. from the arena floor when extended vertically from the attachment point on the robot. We don't want projectiles, tethered or not, going over the arena wall.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Robot Wars is a competitive mechanical sporting event that features radio controlled robots in combat. Competitors must employ a combination of skill, power and strategy in this contest for survival.

DATE
The Third Annual Robot Wars competition is planned for August 16-18, 1996.

PLACE
Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, California

IRWA
Membership in IRWA is required for all robot entries. The cost of membership is $20 and includes: IRWA membership card, IRWA patch, 10% discount on all Robot Wars merchandise, and preferential ticketing to all live events. All IRWA members receive copies of the 1996 Rules and Guidelines and Official entry forms for 1996.

If you are not a member but would like to receive entry forms for RW96 please e-mail your paper mail address to robotwars@aol.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY AUGUST 16

ARENA DESIGN
The arena will be rectangular and measure approximately 30 feet by 54 feet and will present the following challenges:

The surface will be flat. It will be either non-skid painted plywood or asphalt.

A variety of mechanical hazards will be positioned around the arena. Some traps will be continuously active. Others will lie in wait. These hazards may damage robots that come within reach or that pass by too slowly.

GAME DESIGN
FACE-OFF: Robots will be randomly paired within weight classifications. Contestants win by immobilizing their opponent. Winners advance through elimination rounds until the last two fight for the Face-Off championship. Each match is timed at 5 minutes. Judges may first warn then disqualify robots for excessive evasion.

FACE-OFF JUDGING: Winners are determined in one of three ways:

1. By rendering your opponent immobile within the 5 minute time limit. Any robot that becomes damaged, destroyed, or pinned against any arena surface and is unable to move for 30 continuous seconds shall be considered "immobile."
2. If after 5 minutes both robots are still mobile then the audience will choose the winner with applause that is registered on a decibel meter. The highest reading wins. The audience will use criteria that takes into account: amount of damage, aggressiveness, and control.
3. If the decibel meter readings are very close then a panel of three judges will determine the winner using a point system based upon the same criteria.

MELEE: This aspect of the event is a free-for-all fight among contestants that are randomly grouped within each weight classification. The last one to remain mobile will be declared the winner of this event. The same rule for "pinning" shall apply. Each match is timed at 5 minutes. Any robots that remain mobile after 5 minutes will be allowed to compete with other groups of survivors until there is only one robot left mobile in each weight class. In order to promote competitive action, judges may first warn then disqualify robots for excessive evasion.

AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS
We are planning to present matches between autonomous robots (internal controls) in this special category of Face-off and Melee. Those who are interested in entering this category should contact RWI for special guidelines.

WEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS FOR FACE-OFF AND MELEE

• 05 - 25 lbs - Featherweight
• 26 - 50 lbs - Lightweight
• 51 - 100 lbs - Middleweight
• 101 - 165 lbs - Heavyweight

NOTE: Contestants may enter one weight class per robot, although modifications within the rules are allowed between matches. Face-Off champions will be allowed to compete in the next higher weight class of Melee.

NEW CATEGORY
Matches between Legged Robots will be included this year. Weight classes will be the same except that entries in the heavyweights class may weigh up to 200 lbs. Also, as an incentive, legged robot entries that wish to compete with non-legged entries may do so in a weight class below their weight.

POWER
Electric, Fuel, Pneumatic, Hydrolic [sic]

SAFETY RESTRICTIONS

• All explosives, corrosives, flames, pyrotechnics are prohibited.
• Untethered projectiles are prohibited.
• Sighting / pointing lasers are allowed up to 5mw. Any laser above 5mw is prohibited.
• Compressed gas is limited to 1000 psi.
• Hydraulic pressure is limited to 3000 psi.
• Fuel capacity limited to 8 oz.or 6 minutes operating time which ever is less.
• Fuel tanks must be adequately protected against penetration.
• Robots will be inspected for safety and reliability before being allowed to compete according to guidelines that require and insure safe construction and operation. This means that tethers, blades, arms,levers, air cylinders and all other mechanical parts and weaponry must be strong and secure.
• Contestants must be able to transport the robots to and from the combat arena quickly and safely.

OTHER RESTRICTIONS
The following is a list of materials and practices that are prohibited:

• All forms of radio jamming.
• All electronic weaponry (stun-guns, Tesla coils, heat-guns or irons, etc.)
• All liquid weaponry (water, glue, expandable foam, etc.)
• All physical interference between contestants. This includes obstruction of sight-line and destruction of equipment.
• Flying Robots are not permitted (anything that makes use of an airfoil for lift). However, electric powered Floating Robots are permitted.
• Time allowed for robot repair, adjustments, etc. between matches will be limited.

TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• It is recommend that PCM (PulseCode Modulation) radios be used to avoid interference. FM is acceptable. The use of AM radios is allowed but is discouraged due to potential interference problems.
• It is recommend that contestants have at least two transmitter / receiver sets on hand as a remedy for frequency incompatibility. Receivers inside robots should be accessible and easy to change or replace.
• Batteries and other components that require attention should be easily accessible.

PRIZES
Prizes for RW95 totaled $5000 cash in addition to merchandise Prizes for RW96 will be announced prior to the event.

PIT AREA
Work tables and 110v power provided. Safety guidelines for the pit area and staging procedures for competition will be provided to contestants.

LIMITED NUMBER OF ENTRIES
The number of robots that may compete over the duration of the event is limited. ROBOT WARS, LLC will reserve a number of spots as discretionary, some of which will be reserved for last year's entrants.

NOTE: All rules and guidelines are subject to change. Contestants who fail to adhere to rules and guidelines may be subject to disqualification.