Rules Of Competition - Season 1
(subject to change at any time, for any reason.)

1. Introduction

TLC's Robot Challenge is a four-event competition featuring 24 Robots plus the design teams that build and operate them.

To follow are the rules, regulations, and restrictions necessary to ensure a safe and entertaining competition. Robot builders are urged to be as creative as possible, within the framework of this document. The show’s producers will consider design features not approved in the framework of this document on a case by case basis. Alternative features requested by participants may be allowed if they are deemed safe and in keeping with the spirit of the competition. Any changes in the approved specifications must be approved in writing and will be made available to all participants in the competition.

2. Competition Format

2.1 Advancement
All 24 competitors will compete in one of twelve preliminary matches. Each preliminary match will consist of three events. Preliminary match winners will move on to a semi-final match. Each semi-final match will consist of one event. The six competitors who win a final match will advance to the Championship Finals.

2.2 Event Types
There are three events to each preliminary match.

1. The Maze - Robots must navigate to the center of a maze. Along the way, they will face a number of obstacles intended to impede their progress. These will include obstacles such as a teeter-totter ramp, a weighted box, spiked paddles, uneven surfaces, a guillotine and a waterfall (obstacles subject to change with proper warning given to competitors).

2. Speed Demons - Robots race around a figure eight shaped track in an effort to be the first to complete 8 laps or as many laps as possible in a two minute period. Robots will travel in opposite directions and as competitors cross paths, they are allowed to knock each other off the track.

3. The Gauntlet. Robots will run on identical, parallel courses. They will pass underneath 5 archways and be required to destroy increasingly difficult obstructions. The Robot that passes the final obstacle first wins. Obstacles include a pane of glass, a wall made of pint-sized metal cans, small bricks, stacked stones and a large weighted box.

After three events, one Robot will advance to the semi-final round, which consists of one event.

4. Fight to the Finish - Robots will meet in an elevated arena. Surrounding the arena will be a moat filled with spikes. The object of this round is to disable your opponent and push him into the pit. At the start of this round, the arena will be surrounded on all sides by walls or guardrails. As the contest progresses, the walls will be lowered, exposing both Robots to the danger of falling off the edge of the platform.

There will be six semi-final round winners (one winner for each episode). These six will advance to the Finals. All Robots in the Finals will compete in three Preliminary challenges. The two Robots with the highest scores at the end of the preliminary rounds will advance to the "Fight to the Finish" to determine the ultimate champion.

2.3 Scoring of Matches & Declaration of Winner
1. Speed Demons - The Robots who is first to complete 8 laps or who has completed the most laps at the end of two minutes wins the event. Each lap successfully completed earns 10 points. The winner is awarded 20 bonus points. In the event that both robots have completed the same number of full laps after two minutes, the winner will be the first robot to complete the lap they are on at the sound of the two-minute buzzer. If both Robots become immobilized within the first minute of the race, the producers have the option of stopping the race, resetting and restarting the contest. This challenge is not intended as a battle round. Robots must maintain a minimum speed of 25 seconds per lap (2.5 miles per hour) or they risk being penalized 10 points. Robots cannot intentionally strike each other at the starting line. If one robot is immobilized, the opponent is not permitted to strike it in any way or a 10 point deduction will be assessed. If a Robot intentionally drives off the playing field it will receive a 10 point deduction.

2. The Maze - The winner is determined by whichever Robot reaches the center of the maze first. 15 Points will be awarded for each obstacle successfully navigated and a 25 point bonus will be awarded to the Robot that reaches the center of the maze first. If both Robots become immobilized, the game will be temporarily stopped and Robots will be allowed a 5 minute repair period. When the game continues, Robots will be placed at the point immediately adjacent to the last obstacle each Robot successfully navigated, and on a signal from the referee, the contest will continue. Should both Robots be unable to complete the course within 5 minutes of actual playing time, the robot that has completed the greatest portion of the event wins.

3. The Gauntlet - Each robot will face 5 obstacles that have been placed along a straight course. The robot must break through each successive obstacle in order to win points. Each obstacle is worth 15 points. If a robot is unable to break through one obstacle, it is not permitted to go around it and strike the next obstacle. The Robot that breaks through the final obstacle wins and is awarded 25 bonus points. There is a 3 minute time limit. If neither robot completes the course in three minutes, the robot that is further ahead is declared the winner. If both robots become immobilized, the producers have the option of halting action, resetting the obstacles and continuing the race from the point of the last obstacles that each robot successfully negotiated.

In the spirit of safe game play and fair sportsmanship, the impartial referee, at his discretion, may stop play in order to place an immobilized robot back in play. In this case, the clock will stop, and the immobilized robot will receive a 10-point deduction.

The Robot that has accumulated the most points at the end of all three events moves on to the semi-final match.

If the Robots are tied at the end of the three preliminary rounds, the robot that won two of the three rounds will advance to the semi-final match.

4. The Fight to the Finish - There is no scoring for this match. The last machine left in the arena wins the event and moves on to the Championship Finals. If both robots are pushed off the platform, the robot that was on the platform last will be declared the winner. Total scores from the qualifying rounds will be used to seed the six finalists in the Championship Finals.

2.4 Event Frequency and Eligibility to Compete
All Robot participants must be in good working order to take part in the competition. In order to make this determination robots will be required to successfully complete a qualifying round prior to the program taping. The qualifying round will test robots basic abilities and readiness to compete. The qualifying round will consist of two tests. First, each robot will be given a chance to run the Speed Demon track. Robots will be given 2 minutes. One point will be awarded for each lap successfully completed. Second, a series of ten objects will placed at random on a flat, open surface. Robots have 1 minute to knock down as many objects as possible. One point will be awarded for each object.

The robots that successfully complete the qualifying round advance to the preliminary round. In the event that more than eight robots per day of taping successfully complete the courses, the eight robots with the highest scores move on to the preliminary round. If a robot successfully completes the course but is not in the top eight qualifiers on that day, that robot will be placed into competition in the next available preliminary competition slot. Robots will be considered for these available slots in the order in which they qualify. If for any reason a slot in the preliminary competition does not become available, that robot will be guaranteed a spot in the next round of competitions. It is our goal to give every operational robot the chance to compete.

Each preliminary round is made up of three events. The winner of the preliminary round will compete in a semifinal match the same day as his/her qualifying round.

1. Preliminary Round - After each event, operators and their teams will have thirty minutes to make whatever repairs are necessary to their Robot. If a Robot is not mobile (able to start its motor and move in at least two directions), then the operator may take another 30 minute repair period, but will forfeit ten points. Operators can continue to take additional 30-minute repair periods at a forfeiture of 10 points until their Robot is operational. If they opt not to take the extra time, their machine is placed in the Robot impound until the competition resumes. Should both machines be immobile after the initial 30-minute repair period and both require additional time, no point penalty will be assessed. Participants may also use this repair period to make modifications to their Robot in preparation for the next event. Modifications must be approved by the Producers in advance.

2. Semi-Final Match - Participants advancing to the semi-final round will have 90 minutes to make repairs and modifications to their Robot. Show's producers and experts will have the right, at their own discretion, to afford more repair time to ensure an even semi-final match.

The show's producers and experts determine all decisions regarding eligibility, and their decisions are final.

2.5 Competition Arena Specifics
***Data included here is a rough approximation of sizes, weights and distances. Specs will be updated each week.

The general arena will be approximately 80 feet wide and 80 feet long. However, each event will be configured differently.

1. Maze - Channels within the maze will be six feet wide. Openings in the maze walls will also be six feet wide. Other Hazard specifics: The see-saw ramp will be 4'Wx12'L and 18"H at its pivot. The push box will weigh approx. 20lbs. The "flywheels" will have a spiked contact surface of 4'x4' centered in the 6' aisle. Speed bumps are 1.5"H, 12"W, and spaced 2' apart. A guillotine-like device with a dull point will be placed in the center of the speed bumps. The waterfall is a continuous "sheet" of water, flow rate TBD. The surface is OSB board, rough side up.

2. Speed Demons - The track will be approx. ten feet wide. At its widest point, the figure eight will be thirty feet wide. The course will be fifty feet long, with a cross over in the exact center of the arena. Guardrails will bracket the lanes on the curved portions of the track. The surface is concrete.

3. The Gauntlet - Two identical, parallel courses will be approx. 50' long, and contain five increasingly difficult obstacles. The surface is concrete.

4. Fight to the Finish- Arena will have a diameter of 16 feet. The arena will be elevated 8 feet off the ground. The surface is flat steel covered with traction paint. Guardrails will stand approximately 1 to 2 feet tall on all four sides of the arena. The center of the arena will be a 4' diameter steel grate from which will spew intermittent smoke. Robots will enter the arena from an 8-foot tall raised platform that connects to the raised surface via a 6-foot wide bridge with guardrails. The bridge will retract once the Robot has entered the arena. The spike pit will be five feet wide.

2.6 Decisions of Show's Producers, Experts, and Match Referees
The decision of show producers, experts and match referees regarding scoring, eligibility and declaration of winners are final. Producers reserve the right to make changes in the event rules and competition specifications at any time at its own discretion.

Participants acknowledge that the Producers are not responsible for costs incurred in the construction of Robots nor are the Producers responsible for costs associated with any damage incurred as a result of their participation in this event.

3. Robot Specifications

3.1 Size and Weight Restrictions
In order to be eligible, Robots must be able to fit within the physical confines of the challenges. As such, no Robot can be wider than four feet, taller than four feet, or longer than four feet. Appendages that extend mechanically up to a foot beyond the maximum in any direction may be incorporated into the robot's design. Robots shall weigh no more than 210 lbs. However, builders are urged to carefully examine the specific dimensions of the arena to make sure their Robots will be able to maneuver.

3.2 Power Sources and Drive Systems
All Robots entered into the TLC Robot Challenge must be battery operated. No gasoline-powered engines of any kind will be accepted.

All batteries must be shielded to minimize the chance of spills or leaks. Shielding for car batteries, sealed lead-acid batteries, and similar batteries must be pre-approved. "Gel cell" shielding does not require pre-approval.

The primary concern of Show's Producers is to ensure that Robots are safe. To that end, Show's Producers reserve the right to disallow any power source they, and/or their experts deem to be unsafe. Should this occur, Show's Producers will provide operators with fair notice of such a decision.

3.3 Weapons
All weapons located on a Robot must be cleared in advance with Show's Producers. This includes, but is not limited to, any and all hydraulic systems, projectiles of any kind, flamethrowers, buzz saws, hammers and entanglement devices. While no particular weapon is expressly forbidden, Show's Producers, in the interest of safety, reserve the right to limit the use and design of weapons.

Show's producers will work with builders and operators to ensure that certain safety levels are maintained, while allowing builders maximum creativity.

3.3.1 Pneumatic systems
1. Tank pressure maximum is 2000 PSI.

2. Gas expelled into the atmosphere for any reason cannot exceed 100 PSI (excluding gas expelled due to retraction of a gas-powered cylinder).

3. Operating pressure may not exceed the maximum rated pressure of the lowest-rated component in the system.

4. Under no circumstances may any component be operated beyond its maximum rated pressure (tank, hoses, cylinders, etc.).

5. Nitrogen or CO2 systems may be used, provided above rules are adhered to.

Please see item (6) for current list of specific examples of approved and disallowed weaponry.

3.4 Other Restrictions
All pressurized tanks must be shielded against damage by a minimum of 3/8" of aluminum or equivalent on all sides.

Contestants must operate their robot via radio-control from the designated area, i.e. "riding robots" will not be allowed.

Robots may not carry any device capable of operating autonomously or by radio control when physically separated from the robot, or attached by a tether.

Robots must not destroy any elements of the competition arena, i.e. "blasting" holes through the walls of the maze. Any substances placed on the arena floor must be pre-approved and easy to clean. Any deliberate destruction of sets will result in immediate disqualification. Decision of Show's Producers and Experts on these matters is final, no exceptions.

4. Pit Area

4.1 Personnel
Operators must approve all pit crew personal with Show Producers. All pit crew personal must be willing to appear on camera and must sign on camera release forms.

At a future date, Show Producers reserve the right to make a determination limiting the number of pit crew members per team.

4.2 Allowable Materials
Operators may bring as many spare parts as they wish. However, it is strictly forbidden to bring a replacement Robot to swap out during the competition. Pre-assembled, replacement parts must first be cleared with Show's Producers.

Show's Producers, and their experts, reserve the right to disallow any materials they deem unsafe from the pit area.

4.3 Testing Area
Show's Producers will provide teams with a testing area, which may be used, at the operator's discretion, between rounds.

4.4 Impound Area
Robots will be sent to an impound area under the following scenarios.

1. After a Robot and operator has exhausted their 30 minute repair period, should show producers not be ready to begin the next event, Robots will be placed in impound until such time producers are ready to continue.

2. At the conclusion of each day's competition, Robots will be placed in impound overnight.

3. During any day of the competition in which an operator's machine is not competing.

4. When placed in impound, operators can have no access to their machines. Impound area will be guarded against tampering 24 hours a day.

4.5 Master Power Switch
All machines are required to have a master power switch, which can be used to power down all drive systems, weapons and parts on the Robot. Robot must be deemed "safe" by Show's Producers and Experts in power down mode.